One of the most common questions I get from people planning to sail in Chile — whether they're buying their first boat or arriving from abroad — is how the nautical licensing system works. The Chilean system is well-structured but has its quirks, and Directemar's official documentation can be heavy going if you're not used to maritime administrative language.
This guide explains the system in practical terms: which licence you need based on what you want to sail, what the actual process looks like, and what it costs.
Chile's licence framework
In Chile, the authority that regulates recreational navigation and issues skipper licences is Directemar — the General Directorate of Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine, a branch of the Chilean Navy. Directemar sets requirements, administers exams, and issues all titles. There are no "private" licences or club-issued certificates with legal standing to operate in Chilean jurisdictional waters — everything goes through Directemar.
There are four relevant licences for recreational sailing, in ascending order of scope:
Which one do I need? For the vast majority of cruising sailors operating in Chile — including the canals region — the Patrón de Yate is the standard choice. The PNN becomes relevant for extensive passage-making through the southern channels or for larger vessels. The Capitán de Yate is for those doing international ocean passages.
Requirements for the Patrón de Yate
Requirements vary slightly between levels, but for the Patrón de Yate — the most common — they are:
- Minimum age: 18 years old
- Medical certificate: issued by a doctor approved by Directemar. Evaluates vision, hearing, general physical condition and psychomotor fitness. Not just any doctor — the list of approved doctors is on Directemar's website.
- Basic First Aid Certificate: from a Directemar-recognised course. Typical duration: 8 hours. Offered by several sailing academies and the Red Cross.
- Pass the Directemar written exam: covers collision regulations (COLREGS), nautical marks, basic meteorology, VHF/DSC communications, safety, coastal charts and navigation.
- Pass the practical exam: basic sail and motor manoeuvres, deck safety, anchoring, VHF radio use, distress signals. Conducted at the nearest Capitanía de Puerto.
- No disqualifying entries in Directemar's Matriculation Register.
The doctor must be Directemar-approved. A certificate from your GP is not valid. Directemar maintains an updated list of approved doctors on their website (gente.directemar.cl). If you submit a certificate from a non-approved doctor, your application will be rejected and you'll need to redo it.
The process step by step
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01Enrol in a preparation courseTechnically optional — you can sit the Directemar exam without a course — but virtually nobody does. Sailing club and academy courses cover exactly what the Directemar exam tests and give you access to on-board practice for the practical assessment. Typical duration: 2 to 4 weekends.
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02Get the medical certificateBook an appointment with a Directemar-approved doctor. Bring your identity document or passport. The certificate is valid for 6 months — don't get it too far in advance of your exam date.
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03Complete the First Aid courseThe basic maritime first aid course (8 hours in person) gives you the certificate you'll include in your application dossier. Many academies offer this bundled with the skipper course.
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04Submit your dossier to DirectemarPresent at the nearest Capitanía de Puerto: completed application form (Directemar format), copy of identity document or passport, medical certificate, first aid certificate, and the registration fee (a nominal amount). Directemar will assign dates for your written and practical exams.
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05Sit the written examWritten exam at the Capitanía de Puerto. Covers collision regulations, maritime signals, VHF/DSC communications, basic meteorology, safety, and coastal navigation. Minimum passing score is typically 60%. If you fail, you can resit at the next sitting.
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06Sit the practical examOn a vessel assigned by Directemar (usually a launch or sailboat at the Capitanía). You'll be asked to demonstrate: port entry and departure, man-overboard manoeuvre, anchoring, VHF use and distress signals, engine handling. If you're an experienced sailor, this is the straightforward part.
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07Receive your licenceWith both exams passed, Directemar issues the licence in physical and digital form. Processing time is 1–4 weeks depending on the Capitanía. The licence itself has no fixed expiry, but the medical certificate requires periodic renewal.
Indicative costs
| Item | Estimated cost (CLP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Theory + practical course (academy / club) | $150,000 – $400,000 | Varies widely by institution and city |
| Medical exam (Directemar-approved doctor) | $35,000 – $70,000 | Private approved clinic |
| Basic First Aid course | $20,000 – $45,000 | Red Cross or academies |
| Directemar registration fee | $5,000 – $15,000 | Nominal administrative amount |
| Approximate total, Patrón de Yate | $210,000 – $530,000 | Depending on school chosen |
Where to study in Chile
Preparation courses for skipper licences are offered mainly by:
- Sailing clubs — Club de Yates de Valparaíso (CYVSA), Club Náutico de Concepción and Club de Yates Los Colonos (Puerto Montt) all run courses for members and the public during the season. The advantage is on-water access for practice.
- Private nautical academies — Academies operate in Santiago (yes, landlocked, but with coastal Capitanía arrangements for practice), Valparaíso, Concepción, Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas. Look for those recognised by Directemar.
- Online + in-person hybrid — Several academies offer online theory and concentrate on-water practice into one or two weekends. Convenient for those living far from the coast.
Tip: Before enrolling, confirm the academy is Directemar-recognised and that their programme covers exactly what the official exam tests. Some courses are excellent on seamanship but light on regulatory content (COLREGS, signals) — which weighs heavily in the written exam. Ask for their first-attempt pass rate at Directemar.
Foreign licences in Chile
If you hold a foreign nautical licence and want to sail in Chile, the process depends on your situation:
- Short-stay tourists: Directemar generally accepts valid foreign recreational licences during the tourist visa period. Present your original licence (translated into Spanish if in another language) at the Capitanía de Puerto along with your passport and vessel documents. You'll receive a temporary navigation authorisation.
- Residents or long-stay sailors: If you have Chilean residency or plan to sail regularly over extended seasons, Directemar may require you to sit the Chilean exam or formally demonstrate equivalence. Check directly with the Capitanía in your operating area.
- RYA licences: International RYA licences are recognised in many countries, but Chile is not on the automatic recognition list. Recognition is at the Capitanía's discretion.
Questions about your specific situation?
If you're unsure which licence you need, whether your foreign certificate applies to what you're planning, or want guidance on the process at a specific Capitanía, I can advise you directly.
Consult the Captain →