You want to obtain the Croatian Boat Skipper licence – but you don’t have time for a multi-day residential course in Croatia or Vienna? The good news is that you can prepare yourself fully from home for the Boat Skipper B examination.
In this article we explain how it works, what you need – and why home study is the best choice for many people.
Is Attendance at a Course Mandatory for the Croatian Coastal Licence?
No. According to the Pravilnik o brodicama i jahtama (Croatian Ordinance on Boats and Yachts), attending a preparatory course is not a legal requirement for admission to the examination. You can register independently for the exam and prepare entirely on your own.
This is a crucial difference from German or Austrian boating licences, which typically require a mandatory practical training element.
How Does the Examination Work?
The Boat Skipper B examination is an oral examination before a three-member board (chairman + 2 members) at the competent Harbour Master’s Office (Lučka kapetanija) or at the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure in Zagreb. It takes approximately 15–30 minutes and includes the following practical sections:
- Nautical chart work: determining coordinates, courses, distances
- Knot tying: figure-of-eight, bowline, cleat hitch, round turn and two half-hitches etc.
- Oral theory questions from all 5 examination chapters
The examination may be taken in Croatian, English or German – a great advantage for candidates from German-speaking countries.
What Do You Need for Home Study?
For effective preparation at home you will need:
- E-Manual / study material covering the complete examination syllabus
- Chart exercises (coordinates, courses, distances, bearings)
- A practice chart (MK-15 Adriatic extract recommended)
- Nautical plotter and dividers
- A short length of rope for knot practice
- Exam questions & answers for all 5 chapters
What Does Our E-Manual for the Boat Skipper B Include?
Our E-Manual was developed by experienced nautical instructors and former examination board members. It covers the complete syllabus in accordance with the official Pravilnik:
- Chapter 1: Navigation and nautical chart work (incl. video links)
- Chapter 2: Marine engineering and technical safety
- Chapter 3: Seamanship, Croatian maritime law, meteorology
- Chapter 4: Manoeuvring, COLREGs, sound and visual signals
- Chapter 5: Maritime radiotelephony (MAYDAY, GMDSS, DSC, NAVTEX)
- Appendix: Step-by-step examination registration procedure
- Appendix: Exam questions & answers for all chapters
- Appendix: Links to instructional videos (chart work, knots, COLREGs, radio)
How Long Does Preparation Take?
This depends on your prior knowledge. As a general guide:
| Prior Knowledge | Recommended Study Time | Exam Readiness |
| None | 3–4 weeks, 1h/day | Very achievable |
| Basic boating knowledge | 1–2 weeks, 1h/day | Very achievable |
| German SBF See holder | 4–7 days, focused | Excellent |
Conclusion: Home Study Is Possible – and Highly Efficient
The Croatian Coastal Licence is one of the few boating licences in Europe where home study is legally recognised and straightforwardly achievable. With the right study material, some discipline and regular chart practice, you can be exam-ready within a few weeks – without travel, without group training, without additional costs.
👉 Buy the E-Manual & start now: boatskippercourse.com
