The new Spanish law regarding jetski licences came into force on the 8th March 2002.
There are more than 16,000 registered jestskis in Spain and there must be many more unregistered and visiting on yachts. None are exempt from this new law.
The main objects of this Royal decree are to improve the security of jetski usage along with the safety of those swimming from the beaches.
The basics are:
1/. It establishes three classes of ´jetski pilot´s´ licence according to the size of the motor.
Class C- jetskis les than 55hp
Class B- jetskis between 55 and 110hp
Class A- jetskis more than 100hp
2/. It fixes the minimum age at 18 although 16 year olds can use them ´with parental approval´.
3/. It strictly prohibits the use of jetskis within 200 metres of the shore.
4/. When proceeding to and from a shore the maximum speed is 3 knots and should be within the buoyed area for craft.
5/. Jetski users must wear life-jackets.
6/. Jetskis are banned from being used at night, in poor visibility or in bad weather.
Those yachtsmen who have (or the equivalent) of patron de embarcaciones de recreo, patron de yate, capitan de yate are considered qualified without the ´jeski pilot´ licence.