Framework
Governing: LNM art. 18; RONM (RD 186/2023) arts. 2, 9, 11–17 as amended by RD 1188/2025. Builds on: L3.1.
What despacho is
LNM art. 18 says every vessel needs the maritime administration's authorisation to go to sea: the despacho. The RONM's despacho chapters have applied since 15 August 2025. For most yachts, "authorisation" now means filing a declaración responsable: you declare the vessel complies, and you may sail once it is registered.
Who needs what
| Situation | Regime | RONM |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational boat, private use, no professional crew (also PWC, rowing craft) | Exempt | art. 2.3.a |
| Spanish-flag buque de recreo | Simplified | art. 15.2.a |
| Recreational boat or ship with professional crew, any flag | Simplified | art. 15.2.b |
| Recreational craft on charter, Spanish flag (and foreign flag after first express despacho) | Simplified | art. 15.2.c, 15.3 |
| Temporary change of use from private to commercial | Express | art. 9.1.a |
| One-off voyage or activity outside the authorised use | Express | art. 9.1.b |
| First despacho of an EU or third-country-flag charter yacht in Spain | Express | art. 9.1.c |
Simplified despacho
- Filed on the ministry's e-office by the owner, operator, charterer or agent, to the Capitanía of the home base or first Spanish port (art. 15.4).
- Activity may start as soon as it is filed.
- For yachts the declaración responsable counts as the master's general declaration: one document (art. 16.3).
- On request, you must show the general declaration and crew list (art. 16.1).
- Any change must be notified at once with a new declaration (art. 17.1).
- It lapses if you fail to notify changes, carry on a different activity, fail to keep the boat manned to its minimum crew resolution, or after one year from filing (art. 17.2).
WARNING — The one-year clock RD 1188/2025 added the one-year limit from 31 December 2025. A declaration filed last season is not good for this one.
Express authorisation
Where express authorisation applies, you file at least 48 hours before departure (art. 11.2). The Capitanía decides within 48 hours once the file is complete; silence means refusal (art. 12.2). For yachts outside the FAL Convention the file includes the crew list, liability and accident insurance, and proof of tax compliance (art. 11.5). Self-despacho (autodespacho) is not available where express authorisation is required (art. 13.3).
TIP — Keep the rol current A Spanish-flag vessel with professional crew carries an electronic rol de despacho y dotación. Enrolments and discharges must be notified before sailing, or within 24 hours if at sea (arts. 20 and 23). An out-of-date rol is an easy finding for an inspector, and sailing without it is itself an offence.
Operators should read the detailed treatment in Spanish-Flag Charter Compliance.