With the exception of some boats used on the inland waterways, there is no legal requirement to register boats based or used for recreational purposes in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and United Kingdom and associated territorial waters. There are however, a number of different registers available to boat owners in Ireland and this page aims to provide some information on these.

The Irish Sailing is consolidating the various details currently held on boats belonging to Irish Sailing members in order to streamline the Irish Sailing’s several databases of craft, and to build a complete database of craft owned by Irish Sailing members. We will encourage members to apply for a Cert of ID which will incorporate all the services Irish Sailing members avail of in respect of their craft into a single document. This will include racing handicaps administered by Irish Sailing , racing sail numbers issued by Irish Sailing as the member national authority for World Sailing (formerly ISAF) and other services.

Certificates of Identity may be purchased through our online shop and the application form for this should be downloaded from the shop item.

Probably the most visible statement of Irish identity for sailing yachts; any sailing yacht based in Ireland is entitled to apply to the Irish Sailing for an IRL sail number. While it is essential for anyone planning on racing, most cruising boats will also have an IRL sail number. Once issued these sail numbers stay with the boat for life. Boats cruising abroad should also look at one of the other forms of registration detailed below.

IRL Sail Numbers

There is currently no legal requirement to have a licence to drive either a Powerboat or a Jetski in Ireland. However, it would be preferable, if all operators of power-driven craft held a Powerboat Certificate. These can be obtained through various Sailing clubs and Commercial Watersports Centres throughout the country.

You should contact the Marine authority of the country/countries, you wish to visit.

Contact the Mercantile Marine Office HERE for MMSI number and VHF Radio licensing information.

VHF training centres are available HERE.

If you are looking to get your qualifications commmercially endorsed for a passenger boat go here.

Go the Mercantile Marine Office here for details on different boat license requirements.