Chartering a boat in Denmark: licence, rules and safety

Licence and charter rules

Licence: Foreign boating certificates are generally accepted only on a boat registered in a country that recognises them. Denmark does not take part in the ICC or RYA schemes. A planing power boat of 4–15 m may need a Danish power boat certificate, depending on engine power.

Charter: A foreign certificate cannot be used to rent a Danish boat that requires a certificate; you need a Danish certificate, for example after assessment by an approved provider.

Arriving by boat

Many Danish ports are internal or external Schengen borders depending on where a vessel comes from. The Immigration Ministry's overview of approved border crossing points (4 May 2022) lists ports by police district, e.g. Frederikshavn, Hirtshals and Skagen in North Jutland.

Season and weather

Forecast: DMI's Danish marine forecasts (farvandsudsigter) are updated daily just before 05:45, 11:45 and 17:45 and broadcast on long wave 243 kHz at 05:45, 08:45, 11:45 and 17:45.

Rules on the water

Life jackets: Under the 2024 life-jacket order (BEK 766/2024), every craft not moored in harbour (boats, dinghies, jet skis, windsurfers, surf and paddle boards) must carry a correctly sized life jacket or buoyancy aid for every person on board.

Bornholm: Leisure sailing is prohibited inside Rønne commercial harbour; boats may only go to and from their berth at max 5 knots or the lowest manoeuvring speed. Speed in the outer basin is max 10 knots, other basins 5 knots. Anchoring in the harbour is prohibited.

Copenhagen: Speed limits (measured by GPS): 6 knots in the main channel (Hovedløbet) and Sluseløbet but 4 knots in all marinas; 5 knots in Kalvebodløbet; 4 knots in all canals, basins and side channels.

Copenhagen: Sailing under sail is prohibited inside Copenhagen harbour.

Copenhagen: Swimming in Copenhagen harbour is prohibited except at facilities or areas approved for bathing.

Svendborg: Motor-driven craft (including jet skis) may go at most 5 knots in Svendborg Sund and Skårupøre Sund, and at most 5 knots within 300 m of the coast in Funen Police District.

Svendborg: The South Funen Archipelago is a wildlife reserve with access restrictions where birds feed or breed. In areas marked on the reserve map, access is prohibited from 1 March to 15 July; in others wind- and kitesurfing is banned from 1 September to 31 May.

Hazards and warnings

Bornholm: In certain weather the fast ferry may enter Rønne harbour at high speed for the first metres; keep well clear of the entrance when a ferry is due.

Copenhagen: In Kronløbet leisure boats must keep to the south and commercial traffic to the north. When the red lights flash, entering the harbour is prohibited. These rules apply until a permanent arrangement is in place; also check the Danish Maritime Authority's notices to mariners.

Copenhagen: The Sound has a mandatory ship reporting system (SOUNDREP) for vessels over 300 GT, run by Sound VTS on VHF 73 (northern sector) and VHF 71 (southern sector).

Svendborg: The current in Svendborgsund can be strong, especially in narrow passages. Svendborg Havn publishes a current table showing which way the current runs at all times of day.

On the radio

Lyngby Radio (operated by the Danish Defence) keeps a 24-hour watch on VHF 16 and DSC and raises the alarm for vessels in distress, working closely with JRCC Denmark.

Lyngby Radio is the coast station; its working channels vary by area. Make routine calls first on channel 16 and the operator moves you to a working channel.

Charter bases in Denmark