Legal frame
Governing: law 4926/2022 arts 1(κα)–(κδ), 11(1), 11(6), 21(1)(γ), 136(2)(α); Υ.Α. 3342/02/2004 as amended by Υ.Α. 3342/13/2004. Builds on: Working on Yachts in Greece (Module 1).
Law 4256/2014 used to govern this; its charter and manning articles were repealed on 20 April 2022 by law 4926/2022. Anything you read that cites "4256 art. 11" for manning is out of date.
Where the line sits
Art. 11(1) of law 4926/2022 removes the manning scale (οργανική σύνθεση πληρώματος) for Greek or EU/EEA-flag professional pleasure vessels that are:
| Length (LOA) | Passengers | Charter | Manning scale? |
|---|---|---|---|
| up to 24 m | up to 14 | any length | No |
| up to 24 m | 15–25 | 12 h or less, no overnight stay | No |
| up to 24 m | 15–49 | over 12 h | Yes (art. 11(2), next lesson) |
| over 24 m | any | any | Yes (art. 11(2) or 11(3)) |
"Passengers" excludes the master or κυβερνήτης, crew, auxiliary or other staff and children under one year (art. 1(κε)). A yacht with 14 guests and 3 crew is a 14-passenger yacht.
Non-EU flags do not appear in art. 11(1) because they can only charter in Greece at over 35 m anyway (see Foreign-Flag Superyachts in Greece).
Who commands
The law has two words, and they are not synonyms:
- Πλοίαρχος (art. 1(κα)): a seafarer holding the appropriate CoC issued or recognised by the flag state, given command under articles of agreement (σύμβαση ναυτολόγησης).
- Κυβερνήτης (art. 1(κβ)). On a professional yacht with no manning obligation, the κυβερνήτης may be an employee, a self-employed person, a passenger, the owner or the operator, provided they hold the evidence of competence set by ministerial decision (κβα). Where the yacht keeps a crew list, the κυβερνήτης is a seafarer with a flag-state CoC (κβγ) or, if no scale applies, a seafarer with the decision's non-CoC qualifications (κβδ).
Whatever the route, the κυβερνήτης has the duties and powers of a master.
The qualification: Υ.Α. 3342/02/2004
No new decision has been issued, so art. 21(1)(γ) keeps the 2004 decision alive. In outline:
- Sailing yacht: Κυβερνήτης Γ' or higher; the old tourist-yacht master certificate (π.δ. 264/77, 54/96, 243/98); tug master; a private sailing-yacht licence; certain naval-cadet, coaching, sports-science or club/school certificates proving offshore competence; or a Hellenic Sailing Federation record of 2,000 nm of races as skipper on boats over 7 m.
- Motor yacht: Κυβερνήτης Γ' or higher; tourist-yacht master; tug master; a private motor-yacht licence; or a Greek speedboat licence (or an equivalent EU/EFTA licence).
- Foreign alternative (para. 2 as replaced in 2004): a certificate issued or officially recognised by a foreign state authority, a nautical or sailing club, or a foreign sailing school. Non-EU certificates need a Greek or English translation. A sworn declaration is needed only when the Port Authority meets that club or school for the first time.
- Limits (para. 3): you may not command a yacht whose type or capacity lies outside the limits of your licence or certificate.
CAUTION — a club certificate is not a CoC It lets you command inside the no-manning band. The moment the yacht goes over 24 m, or carries a 15th passenger on an overnight charter, the scale applies and the person in command needs a certificate of competency.
Crew in the band
The yacht may still carry crew and auxiliary staff (βοηθητικό προσωπικό, art. 1(κδ)); they are simply not prescribed. All of them, including the κυβερνήτης, are insured with e-ΕΦΚΑ, subject to the EU right to flag-state insurance (art. 11(1)(β); Module 2).
Private yachts have no scale at any capacity (art. 11(6)). For professional yachts the obligations in art. 11 applied from 1 January 2023 (art. 136(2)(α)).