Introduction to Pleasure Craft Licensing
1. Introduction
Pleasure craft means any craft which is intended for use within the port exclusively for sport or pleasure purposes but does not include any craft which is used to carry passengers on sightseeing tours within the port for which each such passenger is charged a separate and distinct fare. All pleasure craft to be used in Singapore port waters must be licensed. Pleasure craft licensed with MPA shall be prefixed with the following letters:
- SZ – in the case of a pleasure craft for private use; and
- SZH – in the case of a pleasure craft for commercial use.
2. Craft’s Mooring/Storage Base
Owners of pleasure craft are required to store their craft at established boatels, yacht clubs, marinas or designated pleasure craft mooring sites. Confirmation letter of mooring from such boatel, yacht club or marina is to be submitted at the time of application. Owners whose craft are found moored illegally will be prosecuted.
3. Applying for a pleasure craft licence
When applying for a pleasure craft licence, the applicant is required to submit the application via Digitalport https://digitalport.mpa.gov.sg.
The following documents are required upon submission of application:
3.1 Identification belonging to craft owner of licensee
i) Instant Information Printout from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)
ii) NRIC/FIN
3.2 Proof of ownership
i) Registry; or
ii)Builder’s Certificate; or
iii) Hull Receipt or Invoice
3.3 Proof of origin of vessel
i) Cargo Clearance/Import Permit; or
ii) General Arrival Declaration
3.4 Insurance Policy
Insurance policy is applicable to all mechanically propelled pleasure craft equipped with outboard or auxiliary engine, and non-mechanically pleasure craft which are 7 metres and above in length. The policy must cover the third-party liabilities including wreck removal, personal injuries, etc. e.g. under Clause 11 of the Institute Yacht Clauses (IYC) (1/11/85). The minimum sum insured is S$25,000/- for any one accident or occurrence. It should cover the period up to the next expiry date of the craft licence. The insurance company must be a Singapore-registered company. If the insurance company is a foreign one, a letter from the local representing office confirming same must be submitted.
3.5 Craft’s manning
All pleasure craft are to be operated by holders of Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (PPCDL) or Advanced Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (APPCDL)
| Length of SZ / SZH Pleasure Craft | Less than 24 metres | 24 metres and more |
| Grade of Pleasure Craft Driving Licence | PPCDL | APPCDL |
3.6 Mooring letter or approval letter from the owner of the premises.
3.7 Installation of Automated Identification System (AIS) – For all power-driven craft.
3.8 Arrange for craft inspection.
3.9 Craft must be in port when application for new pleasure craft licence is made.
3.10 Any other documents or requirements as may be required by the Port Master.
4. When a craft is no longer in use.
When a craft is no longer in use, to avoid incurring charges and infringement action being raised, craft should be delicensed at the earliest possible and before the expiry date. Please fill up the delicensed form and submit via https://go.gov.sg/delicence. Once approved, you will receive an email confirmation.
5. Driving a powered pleasure craft
Drivers of powered pleasure craft must possess a valid Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (PPCDL) or an Advanced Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (APPCDL) issued by the Port Master. The PPCDL is required for operating engine-powered and jet-propelled pleasure craft (with SZ or SZH licence prefixes) under 24 metres in length within port limits, while the APPCDL is needed for driving such craft that are at least 24 metres in length within Singapore port limits.
6. Application for PPCDL/APPCDL Licence
In order to qualify for a PPCDL or APPCDL issued by MPA, the applicant must fulfil the following conditions:
| PPCDL | a) be at least 16 years of age; b) complete an approved course on handling a powered pleasure craft at any of the MPA-approved PPCDL Centres (Table 1); c) produce a valid certificated issued by a medical practitioner confirming that applicant has passed a sight test and has no physically disabilities; and d) complete the PPCDL examinations conducted by the Singapore Maritime Academy (SMA). |
| APPCDL | a) hold a PPCDL; b) be at least 18 years of age; c) accumulate a total of 24 boating trips at the helm of a powered pleasure craft in the preceding two years; d) complete an approved APPCDL course by Singapore Polytechnic; and e) Complete the APPCDL examinations conducted by the SMA. |
For application of a new PPCDL or APPCDL, applicants would be required to submit an online application via DigitalPort@SG https://digitalport.mpa.gov.sg with the following documents:
- Respective result slip from SMA;
- Identity Card (for locals) and Passport (for foreigners); and
- Recent passport-sized photograph .
Once the online application is submitted, applicant would receive an email for them to make a payment of $20.
Upon successful payment, applicant would then be able to view their licence digitally through digitalPORT@SG.
To ensure smooth verification by the relevant authorities, licence holders must keep their personal information and photograph up to date.
Relevant fees will apply as per the table below:
| Services | Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and Foreigners |
|---|---|
| Licence Fee | $20.00 |
| Loss, Replacement, Upgrade of qualifications | $10.00 (excluding GST) |
| Changes to Name, Passport Number | $20.00 (excluding GST) |
Note: The digital licence will only be available if you have a valid photograph. Otherwise, you will be required to update your particulars with your photograph before you will be able to view the digital licence.
7. Renewal of PPCDL/APPCDL Licence
Each licence is valid for life up to age 64, after which all licence holders must pass a medical examination every three years starting at age 65 (and then at ages 68, 71, 74, 77, 80, and so on).
To renew an expired PPCDL, applicant would be required to complete the PPCDL course conducted by any of the recognised PPCDL centres listed in Table 2 or retake the PPCDL examinations. The licence will only be renewed with the Certificate of Attendance issued by the PPCDL centre or the PPCDL Examination Result.
Table 1: Classes of pleasure craft driving licences
| Length | <24 metres | >24 metres |
|---|---|---|
| Class of Pleasure craft driving licence required | PPCDL | APPCDL |
Table 2: List of PPCDL and APPCDL Training Centres
| PPCDL Centre | Telephone Number | Fax Number |
|---|---|---|
| Changi Sailing Club | 6545 2876 | 6542 4235 |
| Marina Country Club | 6564 4866 / 6385 6166 | 6385 6509 |
| ONE15 Marina Club | 6305 6988 | 6376 0888 |
| Raffles Marina | 6861 8000 | 6861 1020 |
| Republic of Singapore Yacht Club | 6768 9239 | 6768 9280 |
| SAF Yacht Club | 6758 3359 | 6757 9046 |
| Singapore Polytechnic | 6772 1817 | 6772 1958 |
| Singapore Powerboat Association | 6564 4866 | 6564 4568 |
| Water-Venture (Changi) | 6545 1140 | 6545 8897 |
| APPCDL Centre | Telephone Number | Fax Number |
| Singapore Polytechnic | 6772 1316 | 6772 1958 |
8. Reporting of incidents to MPA
In the event of any incidents, such as collisions, damages to craft, any injuries or any loss of life, the owner, master or the person in charge of the craft must report such incidents to the Port Master within 24 hours of the incident. Please contact the Marine Environment & Safety department at 6325 2488/9 or email them at pms@mpa.gov.sg.
9. Enquiries for licensing matters of pleasure craft licence
For enquiries for pleasure craft licensing matters, you may contact our hotline 1800 272 7777 or e-mail us at MLP@mpa.gov.sg.
10. Exemption for Canoes and Kayaks
Since 2 June 2003, canoes and kayaks owned by individuals and organisations (except commercial operators) do not need to be licensed by the MPA. “Organisations” here refers to either:
- an organisation not operated or conducted primarily for profit, which is engaged in or connected with the promotion of sports; or
- an education institution not operated or conducted for profit, which is engaged with or connected with the advancement of education; or
- a public authority or society not operated or conducted for profit, which is engaged with or connected with charitable activities that benefit the community as a whole.
For safety guidelines: Safety Guidelines for Canoeing and Kayaking (.pdf, 436 KB).