Introduction to Pleasure Craft Licensing

Note: With effect from 1 January 2020, the One-Stop Document Centre has ceased operations. For assistance on licensing and port clearance matters, please contact Marine Licensing and Permits (MLP) at 1800 272 7777 or email us at mlp@mpa.gov.sg. Please visit https://digitalport.mpa.gov.sg/ for the full suite of online services.

Introduction

Pleasure craft means any craft which is intended for use within the port exclusively for sport or pleasure purposes, but does not include any craft which is used to carry passengers on sightseeing tours within the port for which each such passenger is charged a separate and distinct fare. All pleasure craft to be used in Singapore port waters must be licensed. Pleasure craft licensed with MPA shall be prefixed with the following letters:

• SZ – in the case of a pleasure craft for private use; and
• SZH – in the case of a pleasure craft for commercial use.

Craft’s Mooring/Storage Base

Owners of pleasure craft are required to store their craft at established boatels, yacht clubs, marinas or designated pleasure craft mooring sites. Confirmation letter of mooring from such boatel, yacht club or marina is to be submitted at the time of application. Owners whose craft are found moored illegally will be prosecuted.

When a craft is no longer in use

When a craft is no longer in use, the pleasure craft licence must be surrendered to the MPA Marine Licensing and Permits department (MLP) and approval must be obtained from the Port Master to dispose of or store the craft on land. 

To delicense a craft, please fill up the delicensed form and submit to mlp@mpa.gov.sg. Once approved, you will receive an email confirmation of cancellation.

Driving a powered pleasure craft

Drivers of powered pleasure craft must possess a valid Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (PPCDL) or an Advanced Powered  Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (APPCDL) issued by the Port Master.

If you are holding an expired PPCDL, please note the procedure to renew the PPCDL as follows. You are required to retake the PPCDL course conducted by any of the recognised PPCDL centres listed in Appendix 1 or retake the PPCDL examinations. The licence will only be renewed with the Certificate of Attendance issued by the PPCDL centre or the PPCDL Examination Result.

All licence holders are required to pass a medical examination, commencing from age 65, and once every three years thereafter, that is 65, 68, 71, 74, 77, 80 and so on.

Table 1: Classes of pleasure craft driving licences

Table 2: List of PPCDL and APPCDL Training Centres

Reporting of incidents to MPA

In the event of any incidents, such as collisions, damages to craft, any injuries or any loss of life, the owner, master or the person in charge of the craft must report such incidents to the Port Master within 48 hours of the incident. Please contact Marine Safety at Tel: 6325 2488 / 9.

Exemption for Canoes and Kayaks

Since 2 June 2003, canoes and kayaks owned by individuals and organisations (except commercial operators) do not need to be licensed by the MPA. “Organisations” here refers to either:

1. an organisation not operated or conducted primarily for profit, which is engaged in or connected with the promotion of sports; or
2. an education institution not operated or conducted for profit, which is engaged with or connected with the advancement of education; or
3. a public authority or society not operated or conducted for profit, which is engaged with or connected with charitable activities that benefit the community as a whole.