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Sportseeschifferschein (SSS)

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Your leap into the open sea: The Sportseeschifferschein (SSS) is the official licence for motor and sailing yachts in coastal waters – in all seas up to 30 nautical miles from the coast (including the North Sea and Baltic Sea, English Channel, Mediterranean, Black Sea, etc.). Professional skippers and ambitious leisure sailors in particular benefit from the SSS: It is legally required to command commercially operated sports boats in these sailing areas (e.g. training yachts). For private sailing trips, however, the SSS is not mandatory, but a valuable additional qualification beyond the SKS. As Germany's second-highest boating licence (after the SHS), the SSS confirms your comprehensive maritime expertise.

Requirements for the SSS

Minimum age: 16 years of age (so younger sailors still have to wait)

Existing SBF See: You need the Sportbootführerschein See as a prerequisite – no SBF See, no admission to the SSS. (The SKS is not mandatory, but helpful.)

Sailing practice (nautical mile record): You must be extensive sea-going experience to prove. Specifically, at least 1,000 nautical miles on yachts in coastal waters are required (counted from the date of the SBF See). If you already hold the SKS, the requirement is reduced to 700 nm practical experience. The miles must be documented in your logbook as a crew member or watchkeeper.

Further formalities such as a medical certificate or certificate of good conduct are not separately required for the SSS – such evidence was already requested for the SBF See was required.

SSS course content: theory and practice

The Training for the SSS is divided into comprehensive theory section and the practical training on a seaworthy yacht.

Theory: In SSS courses you acquire advanced nautical knowledge. The teaching topics cover all areas of the examination: navigation, seamanship, maritime law and meteorology – but in far greater depth than the SKS. For example, you learn to master demanding navigation techniques, including radar plotting and electronic navigation with chart-plotting software. Specialist knowledge such as British tide tables (Admiralty Tide Tables), yacht construction and stability, as well as advanced emergency management and legal regulations are on the syllabus. The theory training can take place in the traditional way at a sailing school or partly by self-study/online courses – what matters in the end is that you can confidently answer the complex examination questions.

Practice: The practical SSS training usually takes place as part of sail training on seaworthy yachts. Although such an SSS practical trip is not legally required, it is highly advisable given the demanding content. A typical SSS training trip lasts one to two weeks and takes you into challenging sailing areas (e.g. North Sea, English Channel or Mediterranean). There you practise all the skills required in the examination: harbour and sail manoeuvres in wind and weather, radar work, night navigation, crew leadership and emergency measures. The emphasis in the practical training is on skipper skills and leadership tasks: you learn not only to carry out manoeuvres yourself, but also to organise a crew and master critical situations as a team. Such a trip often concludes with an examination simulation or even the examination voyage itself – ideal for seamlessly combining practice and examination.

Good to know: There is the option of taking the Sportseeschifferschein without the sailing component – that is, purely as motorboat training. In this case the practical training concentrates on manoeuvres under power, and sailing exercises are omitted. This variant ("SSS under power") is rarely chosen, however, as most skippers aim for the full sailing qualification.

The Sportseeschifferschein examination

Yacht sailing SSS Sportseeschifferschein

Theoretical examination

The SSS theory examination consists of four subjects: navigation, seamanship, maritime law and Meteorology. There is a separate partial examfor each subject, all of which can be sat on one weekend or separately. Unlike the lower-level boating licences, here you will not face multiple-choice questions – instead you must answer complex tasks and situation questions in free form.

The level of difficulty is high: navigation tasks (incl. radar plotting) take 120 minutes, for example, legal and radar topics 60 minutes, and meteorology and seamanship 45 minutes each. Permitted aids are limited and include, for navigation, the official practice chart, formula collection, dividers and calculator. Passed modules remain valid for 24 months; within this period you must have passed all four theory partial exams.

If you narrowly fail to reach the pass mark in a subject, the examining board may offer a offer an oral supplementary examination. That is: if, for example, you narrowly failed one written section of the theory exam, the committee can examine you orally to give you the necessary quota of points after all.

Practical examination

The practical SSS exam takes place on board a seagoing yacht – here you must demonstrate that you can apply at sea what you have learnt in theory. The examination venue is often a coastal harbour, and the examiners go on board with you and your crew for several hours. The practical exam content comprises:

Manoeuvres & seamanship: You carry out essential sailing and harbour manoeuvres. A Mann-über-Bordman-overboard drill is one of the compulsory tasks. The examiners also assess your general yacht handling, i.e. berthing and casting off, hoisting sails/reefing, holding a course etc., as well as your skills in onboard systems (engine checks, electronics). Also emergency measures emergency procedures (e.g. fire on board, damage control) are tested or simulated.
Navigation & radar: Besides conventional chart and GPS navigation, you must master radar navigation in particular. Safe operation of the radar set and interpretation of radar images is compulsory in the SSS exam – the radar exercise is in fact one of the tasks prescribed by the examining board. You will, for example, have to acquire a radar target or demonstrate an avoiding manoeuvre based on the radar display.
Leadership & Crew Management: As a prospective Sportseeschifferschein holder, you should demonstrate that you can confidently command a yacht as skipper. This means making the right decisions and leading the crew. In the examination, this may be tested, for instance, by assigning you specific roles (navigator, helmsman, etc.) and having you prove teamwork and communication – for example, when organising an emergency on board.

The practical examination is passed when you handle the manoeuvres safely and demonstrate good judgement and leadership qualities. Note: If you are taking the SSS as a pure motorboat SSS, sailing manoeuvres are omitted from the examination – only what is relevant for motorboats is then tested. However, the requirements in navigation, seamanship and ship technology remain equally high.

The theory and practical examinations must be completed within 36 months otherwise passed part-examinations will lapse. So plan your training in such a way that you can complete both examinations within three years.

Finding your SSS course: get there with toernfinder.de

Now you may be wondering: Where do I find the right SSS course or training trip? That's exactly where toernfinder.de comes in. We at toernfinder.de do not offer our own course, but rather a cross-platform search and comparison of different sailing schools and providers. This way you can quickly and transparently find the ideal offer for you to obtain the Sportseeschifferschein.

What toernfinder.de offers you:

Overview of numerous SSS courses & training trips: Sailing schools and yacht schools from all over Germany (and beyond) are represented on toernfinder.de. Whether Baltic, North Sea or Mediterranean – with us you will discover SSS training trips in many sailing areas. This allows you to conveniently find the right course in your preferred region and at the right time.

Comparison of providers: Each sailing school presents itself with a detailed profile. You will find information about course formats (e.g. weekly evening course, online theory course or week-long practical trip), about prices, dates and services. This allows you to comparebefore making your decision.

Individual filters: Use our filters to search specifically for the perfect course. You can filter by Course format (classroom course or online learning), by time period, federal state or specific keywords (such as Mile building for the practical part). You can also select particular sailing areas for practical training. This way you'll find exactly the course that matches your prior knowledge and goals.

Reviews & ratings: Benefit from the experience of other sailors! Participants who have already completed an SSS course or training trip can leave ratings and comments on toernfinder.de. This feedback helps you better assess the quality of the training (practical relevance, supervision, exam success). Find the providers with the best reviews and learn from the tips of former students.

Direct contact & booking: Once you've found an interesting offer, you can contact the provider directly via toernfinder.de. Ask your questions without obligation, request information material or book your training trip online straight away. Our portal makes communication easier – so you can quickly take the next step towards your SSS.

12.09.2026

8 days from 1.540 €

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Sail training

NEW

Training for the Yacht sailing licence – on request with free SBF practical, max. 4 participants

ACTIVESAIL

17.04.2027

8 days from 999 €

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Frequently asked questions about the Sportküstenschifferschein (SSS)

Is the Sportseeschifferschein legally required?

Yes and no. For private sailing trips in coastal waters the SSS is not required – here the Sportbootführerschein See is legally sufficient (or SKS as a voluntary advanced certificate). However: If you are skipper commercially you are sailing in a professional capacity, e.g. as skipper on a charter yacht with paying guests or as an instructor on a training trip, then the SSS is legally mandatory and required. The Sea Sports Craft Ordinance (See-Sportbootverordnung) prescribes the Sportseeschifferschein for all commercially operated sports craft in coastal waters. In short: Private sailing – no requirement; professional sailing – indispensable. Nevertheless, many leisure skippers also choose to take the SSS voluntarily, to deepen their knowledge and feel more confident on the open sea.

Do I need the SKS to do the SSS?

No, the The SKS (Sportküstenschifferschein) is not a formal prerequisite for the Sportseeschifferschein. In principle, you can register for the SSS exam directly after the SBF See (and with sufficient nautical mile experience). However: in practice, most sailors first complete the SKS before tackling the SSS – and for good reason. The SKS already teaches you valuable foundations in navigation, seamanship, maritime law and weather, on which the SSS builds. Moreover, the required sea time is reduced for the SSS if you already hold the SKS: instead of 1,000 nautical miles, you only need to demonstrate 700 nautical miles with the SKS. The SSS is therefore a continuation and deepening of SKS training. If you have gathered enough experience (and miles), you can theoretically tackle the SSS even without the SKS SKS – but the intermediate step is definitely advisable.

What requirements must I fulfil for the SSS?

The admission requirements The requirements for the Sportseeschifferschein are clearly defined: you must at least 16 years old be of age, hold the Sportbootführerschein See SBF See and have enough nautical miles under your belt 1,000 logged nautical miles on sailing yachts in sea waters (after obtaining the SBF See), which you have completed as a crew member (or watch leader). If you already hold the SKS, the required amount is reduced to 700 nautical miles practical experience. You must have accumulated these miles before the practical examination and provide proof via a mile confirmation. There are no further requirements – a medical certificate or similar is not necessary (such evidence was already provided when obtaining the SBF See ). Of course, you should also bring time and commitment for the extensive preparation, as the SSS syllabus is demanding.

Which topics are covered in the SSS theory examination?

In the theory examination for the Sportseeschifferschein, you will be tested in four subject areas tested: Navigation, Seamanship, shipping law (maritime law in the narrower sense) and Meteorology. These topics are similar to the SKS, but considerably more in-depth. For example, in navigation you can expect complex chart exercises (including tidal calculations and radar plotting), and in seamanship detailed questions on yacht technology, crew management and emergency procedures. In meteorology you must be familiar with large-scale weather patterns, frontal systems and special coastal weather phenomena. An important difference from the simpler boat licences: there are no multiple-choice options (multiple choice) – instead you must answer in detail and freely. Each of the four sub-examinations lasts between 45 minutes and 2 hours (navigation being the longest). The questions vary from examination to examination; there is no fixed question catalogue to memorise, so you must truly master the application.

How does the SSS practical examination proceed?

The practical examination for the SSS usually takes place at the end of a training trip in the presence of an examining board. Procedure: Together with your crew and the examiners, you go aboard a sailing yacht (with engine). After a brief introduction, you complete a series of examination tasks on the water. These typically include: Sailing and engine manoeuvres, in particular a man-overboard manoeuvre, leaving and entering harbour, gybing/tacking, reefing the sails in freshening wind and similar situations. You must demonstrate that you have the vessel safely under control and make the right decisions. A particular focus is on the navigation exam under practical conditions – often you must plan and sail a short route section, taking bearings or determining position with the chart. Important: Also radar navigation is examined. This includes, for example, using the radar to locate another vessel or recognising a collision-course scenario and acting accordingly. The examiners check that you can operate the radar equipment and interpret the display correctly. They also assess your Seamanship and crew leadership: Can you coordinate a team? Do you react calmly to emergencies (such as fire, leak, dismasting)? Ultimately the examiners want to see that you and can take responsibility. If you have the SSS as pure motor boat licence (without sail), only manoeuvres under power are required, of course.

Can I do the SSS under motor only (without sail)?

Yes, that is possible. The Sportseeschifferschein can be obtained in a variant in which only the skills on a motor yacht are examined. In this case all sail-specific content in training and examination is omitted – so you do not need to know any sailing manoeuvres. Instead the focus is on navigation, seamanship, weather and manoeuvres under power. This option is often called "SSS under engine" refers to. But beware: This purely motor variant of the SSS is very rarely chosen. The reason: anyone already making the effort to obtain the SSS usually wants the sailing qualification as well. In addition, commanding larger yachts often requires sailing knowledge too. Note that with an SSS under motor you are formally entitled to command motor boats in the SSS-valid areas, but for sailing yachts you then still only have your SKS (if present). So think carefully whether you really want to forgo the sailing part. In practice experts recommend obtaining the SSS in full (with sail) to complete in order to achieve maximum competence.

What does the Sportseeschifferschein training cost?

The Costs for the SSS are made up of examination fees and training costs. The examination fees are set uniformly across Germany and total approximately 400–450 € (as of 2025). This includes around €31 admission fee, ~€204 for the practical examination, ~€149 for the theory examination (all subjects together on one date) and approximately 30 € for issuing the licence. You pay these fees to the central examining body (ZVST) before the examinations. In addition there are the training costs for the course and trip: here there are considerable differences depending on the provider. A theory course (classroom or online) costs approximately €300 to €600, depending on scope and teaching concept. The practical trip for the SSS (usually 7–14 days on a yacht) runs to around €800 to €1,500 – depending on the sailing area, yacht size and services included (examination passage, meals etc.). All told, you should budget approximately €1,500 to €2,500 for the complete SSS (including all courses, trips and fees). Tip: compare the offers on toernfinder.de – sometimes sailing schools offer package prices for theory + practical. And bear in mind: the investment is worthwhile for all those who sail regularly and take responsibility on board – the gain in safety and knowledge is priceless!

What commercial skippering activities can I carry out with the SSS?

With the Sportseeschifferschein (SSS) you are legally authorised to carry out commercial activities as skipper in coastal sea waters – that is, up to 30 nautical miles from the coast. These include, for example:

Skipper on sail training or mile building trips
Ship's master on traditional sailing vessels or training yachts
Skipper on commercial sailing trips with paying guests
Cruise leader at sailing clubs or sailing operators
Ship's master on delivery voyages of commercially used yachts
Deployment as co-skipper or safety skipper on charter flotillas

Important: The SSS is legally required for operating pleasure craft with guests for payment in coastal waters. So if you operate a yacht professionally or with a commercial background, the SSS is mandatoryin these sailing areas. For voyages in more distant waters (e.g. offshore), you may additionally require the Sporthochseeschifferschein (SHS).