Sporthochseeschifferschein

The Sporthochseeschifferschein (SHS), is a German advanced yachting certificate for the command of pleasure craft in worldwide navigation. It is part of the German system of recreational nautical qualifications and is issued for yachts with engine propulsion or with engine propulsion and sail.

Legal basis

The legal basis of the Sporthochseeschifferschein is the German Sportseeschifferscheinverordnung (Ordinance on Sport Coastal and Offshore Certificates). The ordinance distinguishes between the Sportküstenschifferschein (SKS) for coastal waters, the Sportseeschifferschein (SSS) for near-coastal sea waters, and the Sporthochseeschifferschein (SHS) for worldwide navigation.

According to the ordinance, the area of validity of the Sporthochseeschifferschein is all seas worldwide (weltweite Fahrt).

Function

The Sporthochseeschifferschein is intended as proof of advanced competence for long-distance and ocean-going yachting. Official federal information describes it as the highest-level German recreational certificate for sport craft in worldwide navigation.

Requirements

To obtain the Sporthochseeschifferschein, an applicant must have reached the age of 18 and must already hold a Sportseeschifferschein for the relevant propulsion type. In addition, the applicant must prove at least 1,000 nautical miles sailed on yachts after obtaining the SSS, including at least 500 nautical miles completed before the theoretical examination, while serving as watch leader.

Examination

The examination for the Sporthochseeschifferschein consists of a theoretical examination only. Unlike the Sportseeschifferschein, it does not require a practical yacht-handling test. The examination includes written and oral components.

Official examination subjects include:

• navigation
• maritime law
• meteorology
• yacht handling

Federal ministry information states that the syllabus includes advanced topics such as astronomical navigation, the use of a sextant, and weather systems relevant to ocean passages.

Administration

The Sporthochseeschifferschein is administered on behalf of the German federal authorities by the Deutscher Segler-Verband (DSV) and the Deutscher Motoryachtverband (DMYV). Examination procedures for the SHS are handled through the central structures designated for the SSS/SHS system.

Position in the German certification system

The Sporthochseeschifferschein forms part of a tiered German qualification structure for recreational boating. Related certificates include:

• Sportbootführerschein See (SBF See), the basic official sea licence for certain motorized recreational craft on German sea waterways
• Sportküstenschifferschein (SKS), intended for coastal waters
• Sportseeschifferschein (SSS), intended for near-coastal sea waters and required as a prerequisite for the SHS

Comparison with the RYA certification system

The Sporthochseeschifferschein broadly corresponds to the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean in that both are advanced recreational yachting qualifications associated with ocean passages and worldwide navigation. German law defines the Sporthochseeschifferschein as a certificate for worldwide navigation, while the RYA states that the Yachtmaster Ocean is intended for passages of any length in all parts of the world.

The two certificates are not identical in structure. The Sporthochseeschifferschein is based on German statutory regulations and requires prior possession of the Sportseeschifferschein, whereas the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean is part of the RYA certificate of competence system and is awarded only to holders of the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence who pass the additional ocean examination.