What is the zarpe in Chile?

The zarpe (sailing clearance) is the document issued by the Autoridad Marítima (Chilean Maritime Authority, through Directemar) that authorises a vessel to depart from port and specifies the route, ports of call, and crew and passenger manifest. No vessel may leave a Chilean port without a valid zarpe. It is the maritime equivalent of a flight plan and a travel document combined.

What are the types of zarpe in Chile?

There are three types. A zarpe local authorises navigation within the same Maritime Governorship (Gobernación Marítima) — typically a short radius around a single port. A zarpe de cabotaje covers coastal navigation between different Chilean ports. A zarpe de altura authorises offshore navigation — international passages or crossings beyond the coastal zone. Each type has different documentation requirements and restrictions.

What documents are needed to get a zarpe?

You will need the vessel's registration certificate (Rol de Matrícula), certificate of navigability (Certificado de Navegabilidad) with valid safety equipment inspection, the skipper's licencia de conducción (Chilean navigation licence) or equivalent for foreign nationals, crew and passenger list with ID numbers, and the zarpe from the previous port (if applicable). For foreign vessels, additional documentation from Aduana and PDI may be required.

What is the ZARPEX system?

ZARPEX is Directemar's online portal that allows sailors to request zarpes digitally, without going in person to the Maritime Governorship office for each departure. It requires prior registration and activation of the vessel and skipper credentials. Once active, you request the zarpe online, it is approved digitally, and you can depart within the authorised window. Not all ports and vessel types are covered — check local availability.

What happens if I sail without a zarpe?

Sailing without a zarpe is an infraction under the Ley de Navegación (Navigation Law). Penalties range from fines to vessel detention. For repeated or serious violations, the skipper's navigation licence can be suspended. In remote areas like the southern channels, coast guard patrols actively check compliance. Foreign vessels are subject to the same rules from the moment they enter Chilean territorial waters.

Zarpe in Chile: Guide for Sailors

The zarpe is one of those pieces of paperwork many sailors see as bureaucracy, and in practice it's much more than that. In my years as a Captain I've seen incidents where the difference between a successful search and a tragedy was precisely whether the zarpe had been filed correctly. When the Navy knows you left, where you were headed, and how many were on board, rescue begins immediately.

What the Zarpe Is and Why It Exists

The zarpe is the departure clearance issued by Chile's Maritime Authority — Directemar, through the local Port Captain's offices — before you sail. It isn't a discretionary permit: it's a registration system that documents the vessel, crew, destination and safety equipment.

The reasoning behind the zarpe is operational, not bureaucratic: if an emergency occurs and someone triggers the rescue system, the Navy knows exactly what to look for, where to look, and how many people to rescue. Without that record, the search starts from zero.

Types of Zarpe in Chile

Local zarpe

For sailing within a bay, roadstead or protected zone, without staying overnight away from the home port. It's the simplest and can be obtained the same day. Equipment requirements are lighter, but the vessel must be registered with Directemar and the skipper must hold the relevant licence.

Cabotaje (coastal) zarpe

For sailing between Chilean ports, with the possibility of staying overnight aboard and moving further from the coast. Requires more complete documentation: current registration certificate, vessel insurance in some cases, a full crew roll, and safety equipment matching the vessel's authorised navigation category.

Altura (offshore) zarpe

For ocean or international navigation. Involves a more detailed inspection of safety equipment (EPIRB, life raft, VHF, radar) and may require the vessel to hold an up-to-date technical certificate. To leave Chile for an international destination, an international zarpe with Customs clearance is required in addition to the Port Captain's authorisation.

ZARPEX — online zarpe: Directemar runs an online system for managing zarpes for recreational vessels registered in the small-craft registry. It lets you process local and simple cabotaje zarpes without visiting the Port Captain's office in person. It requires prior registration in the system and the vessel's registration to be up to date. Available on Directemar's website.

Documents Needed for the Zarpe

Current registration certificate: The vessel's registration with Directemar, showing the authorised navigation category
Crew roll: Full name and national ID (RUT) or passport number for each person aboard
Previous zarpe returned: If applicable — the zarpe from your last outing, returned to the Port Captain's office on your return
Skipper's qualification: Current nautical licence or navigation certificate matching the zarpe category
Safety equipment: As required by the zarpe category: life jackets, EPIRB, VHF, life raft, flares and whatever else applies to the planned voyage

The zarpe doesn't return itself

When you return to your home port, you must return the zarpe to the relevant Port Captain's office. If you don't, Directemar assumes you're still on the water and may initiate a search procedure, which creates costs and complications for you.

Validity and Limitations of the Zarpe

A local zarpe is typically valid for 12 to 24 hours. A cabotaje zarpe's validity depends on the declared itinerary. If your outing runs longer than planned, you must notify the nearest Port Captain's office and request an extension. Deviating from the declared itinerary without notice can also trigger search alerts.

The navigation category authorised on your vessel's registration limits the type of zarpe you can request. A vessel registered for "bay" navigation cannot obtain a cabotaje zarpe even if the skipper is licensed for it. The vessel sets the limit, not just the skipper.

Unsure about your vessel's paperwork?

I can advise you on which documents you need and how to confirm your vessel is in order before you sail.

Ask via WhatsApp →

Rodrigo Troncoso Peirano

Merchant Marine Captain with 30 years of experience in industrial fishing, offshore operations, and the fjords of Patagonia.

Planning an important voyage?

I can help with the full picture: paperwork, route, equipment, and everything you need to sail with peace of mind.

See navigation planning consulting →

Zarpe in Chile: How to Obtain Your Sailing Clearance