SeaMemo
Proof of sea miles in Austria: FB2, FB3 and FB4 done right
For the Austrian certificates of competence you need not only sea miles but also night passages, night arrivals and, from FB3, miles as skipper. And you need the right form. Here you get both: the exact requirements and the way to a finished Annex 9.
The areas FB1 to FB4 at a glance
Austria grades its yacht certificates by sailing areas (Fahrtbereiche, FB), depending on the distance from the coast:
- FB1: sheltered coastal waters (up to 3 nm)
- FB2: coastal sailing up to 20 nm off the coast
- FB3: near coastal sailing up to 200 nm
- FB4: worldwide (unlimited)
With each area the requirements for sea miles, night passages and command experience rise. The legal basis is the Jachtverordnung (JachtVO); exams are run by recognised associations such as the OeSV and the MSVÖ.
Mileage requirements (motor and sail)
| Certificate | Total sea miles | Special conditions | Night passages and arrivals |
|---|---|---|---|
| FB1 | 50 nm | none | 1 night arrival |
| FB2 | 500 nm | at least 200 nm on a sailing yacht | 3 night passages and 3 night arrivals |
| FB3 | 1,500 nm | at least 500 nm as skipper; at least 500 nm on a sailing yacht, 250 of them as skipper | 5 night passages and 5 night arrivals |
| FB4 | 3,500 nm | at least 1,000 nm as skipper; at least 1,000 nm on a sailing yacht, 250 of them as skipper | 5 night passages and 5 night arrivals |
If you only want the certificate for motor yachts, the mileage is lower: FB2 300 nm, FB3 1,000 nm (250 as skipper), FB4 2,500 nm (750 as skipper), and the sailing conditions do not apply.
Official definitions (from the form):
Night passage: a passage between sunset and sunrise lasting at least 3 hours.
Night arrival: arriving at a berth between 2 hours after sunset and 2 hours before sunrise.
The mandatory form: Annex 9 of the JachtVO
Since 26 June 2015 the sea miles confirmation in Austria is a prescribed form: Annex 9 of the JachtVO, issued by the responsible ministry. Alternatively a logbook with crew list or an extract of the logbook signed by the skipper is accepted. The important note on the form: experience as skipper must in any case be proven by logbook.
Annex 9 asks for:
- Applicant: name, date and place of birth, main residence, phone, email
- Role(s) on board: helmsman, watch leader, navigator or other
- Skipper: the same personal details
- Yacht: name, motor or sailing yacht, type, length, beam, draught
- Trip: sailing area, start, destination, dates, total sea miles
- Individual passages 1 to 7: from, to, sea miles
- Night arrivals: harbour, date, time
- Night passages: route, sea miles, start and end
- Signatures of skipper and applicant
Austria prescribes a strict form with only one leg per document, so in SeaMemo you export each leg separately.
With SeaMemo: the FB form straight from the trip
- Track the trip: route, legs, distance and times run along by GPS, at night and offline too.
- Choose FB2, FB3 or FB4: pick the area you are aiming for as exam type.
- Check the form: SeaMemo transfers your GPS data into the form.
- Signatures: skipper and applicant store their signature once in the app, so the form is ready for the association.
Because every leg has a timestamp, night passages and night arrivals can be proven from the recorded times, the weak point of many handwritten records.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Annex 9 form mandatory?
Yes. Since 26 June 2015, Annex 9 of the JachtVO is the prescribed form for confirming sea miles. Alternatively a logbook with crew list or an extract of the logbook signed by the skipper is accepted.
What counts as a night passage in Austria?
A night passage is a passage between sunset and sunrise lasting at least 3 hours. A night arrival is arriving at a berth between 2 hours after sunset and 2 hours before sunrise.
How do I prove skipper miles?
From FB3 part of the miles must be sailed as skipper (FB3: at least 500 nm, FB4: at least 1,000 nm). According to the form this must be proven by logbook, so a continuously kept logbook is mandatory.
Do I need sailing miles for the FB2?
For the FB2 motor and sail, yes: of the 500 sea miles at least 200 must be on a sailing yacht. You also need 3 night passages and 3 night arrivals.