Your skipper
Skippers and Onboard Responsibilities
Every Croatia Sailing Week yacht sails with a qualified skipper who is in charge of the yacht, the route and everyone's safety on board. You do not need any sailing experience, and you can ask us which skipper is assigned to your departure and what licence they hold.
Who leads the trip
Skipper assignments are confirmed before departure. If you would like to know who will skipper your week, ask us and we will tell you once the assignment is set.
What a skipper does
On a skippered charter, the skipper is the person in charge of the yacht. Their decisions on safety and navigation are final. In practice, that covers:
- Sailing and navigation: handling the yacht under sail and engine, plotting the route and steering clear of hazards.
- Safety briefing: showing everyone where the safety equipment is kept, how to move around the deck, and what to do in an emergency.
- Weather and route decisions: checking forecasts each day and changing the plan when wind or sea conditions call for it. Croatian winds such as the bura can arrive quickly, so this matters.
- Mooring and anchoring: bringing the yacht into marinas, town quays, mooring buoys and anchorages.
- The yacht itself: checking the engine, rigging and equipment, and managing water, fuel and power through the week.
- Local knowledge: suggesting swim stops, walks and places to eat along the way.
Read more about what the skipper does day to day.
Qualifications and how to check them
Croatian rules require charter yachts to be skippered by someone holding a recognised qualification. The exact licence needed depends on the yacht and how it is used, so ask the operator to confirm which licence your skipper holds.
When you check a skipper's credentials, it helps to ask:
- What licence or certificate they hold, and which authority issued it.
- Whether it is currently valid.
- Whether they hold a marine VHF radio certificate and a first aid qualification.
- How many seasons they have sailed in Croatian waters.
Croatia's Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure is the government body responsible for maritime rules if you want to read more.
What the skipper needs from you
A safe week depends on guests as well as the skipper. Before departure, tell us about any medical conditions, mobility needs, allergies or concerns that could affect your time on board. The skipper can only plan around what they know.
On board, please:
- Follow the safety briefing and the skipper's instructions, especially when mooring, anchoring or under sail.
- Wear a lifejacket when the skipper asks you to.
- Ask before swimming from the yacht, and never swim while the engine is running.
- Keep alcohol well away from moments when the yacht is moving or you are in the water.
Our safety page covers how we approach safety on board in more detail.
Questions about your skipper
If you have a question about your skipper, their experience or their qualifications, contact us before you book. We would rather answer it early than have you wonder about it on the quay.
Common questions
Do I need any sailing experience?
No. The skipper sails the yacht. You can learn to help with ropes and steering if you want to, but nothing is expected of you.
Can the skipper change the route?
Yes. The skipper adapts the route to the weather and sea conditions, and safety comes first. Read about weather and route changes.
Is tipping the skipper expected?
Tipping is a personal choice. Our guide to money, cards and tipping in Croatia explains how it usually works.
Keep reading
Tell us your dates, your group size and the islands you would like to see, and we will reply with suitable options and a written quote.