Spotlight

Recreational craft equipment

Approval of recreational craft equipment

Information on equipment and minimum equipment for recreational craft can be found in the brochure "Sicherheit auf dem Wasser" (Safety on the Water, in German only). In principle, depending on the item of equipment, at least one national approval is required for recreational craft on all waters flying the German flag. The BSH is only responsible for the approval of the equipment listed below.

Recognition of an approval from another EU country

The BSH may recognise the national approval of another EU country for a device if this device meets the required standards with regard to safety, health and suitability for use (Regulation (EU) 2019/515 on the mutual recognition of approvals). The certificate of a classification society cannot be recognized as a national approval of an EU country!

You should always have the approval documents of such a device on board for presentation during inspections. Despite an approval, the device will be objected to if it does not objectively meet the standards required in COLREGs - International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

The manufacturer or distributor can submit an informal application to the BSH for recognition of his approval from another EU country. With the application, the distributor must submit the approval documents as well as any existing test reports. With a recognition the BSH certifies that the device meets the required standards and is accepted as equivalent.

All products approved by the BSH can be found in the lists of marine equipment approved and recognised by the BSH.

Various recreational craft equipment

You can find further information on the approval modalities for various items of equipment on the German page.