Cyprus has replaced its old law on fast boats with a single Recreational Navigation Law, Ν. 4(Ι)/2026. It brings in three categories of circulation licence, levels of operator licence, inspections and compulsory insurance for every pleasure craft it covers. Its articles come into force on dates set by the Council of Ministers, with transition periods of up to 24 months.
Which boats it covers
Article 3: Cypriot boats, and foreign boats that move, berth or usually stay in Cyprus "για συνολικό χρονικό διάστημα που υπερβαίνει τις ενενήντα (90) ημέρες", more than 90 days within 365 days from first entry. Craft built solely for racing, including small racing dinghies up to 6 m, are excluded.
What it requires
- Registration, article 4. No boat may be used unless registered in Cyprus or in another state's register. Legal 500's guide notes the Small Vessel Register takes boats under 13 m used only in Cypriot coastal waters; others go on the Cyprus Ship Registry.
- No voyage without, article 5: an operator holding a valid licence, registration markings, a valid circulation licence, and third party liability insurance, which applies to foreign boats too.
- Extent of voyages, article 6, and persons aboard, article 7, are written on the circulation licence, set by the boat's strength, stability, equipment and watertightness.
- Inspection, article 9. An initial inspection, then periodic and extraordinary ones. New personal craft can skip the first year's inspection with the builder's pre-delivery check.
- Circulation licence, article 13. Category A for private use without payment, valid five years. Category B for boats run by a licensed water sports business and C for bareboat charter by a licensed charter business, both valid one year.
- Operator licence, article 18. Level 1 for motorboats under 12 m within territorial waters; level 2 for motorboats up to 24 m without area limit. Sailing yachts need a sailing school's skipper training certificate.
- Equipment, articles 48 and 49. A boat carries the navigation, safety and radio equipment required for its area and extent of voyages, as set in regulations under the law, kept in good working order.
Equipment on fast boats
The High Speed Craft Regulations, Κ.Δ.Π. 121/99, which the new law repeals, set the equipment list for fast boats, defined as motorboats up to 15 m able to reach 15 knots. Regulation 5 listed, among others:
- lifejackets or buoyancy aids for everyone aboard plus one, and a lifebuoy with line on boats over 6 m;
- two orange smoke signals and two red parachute rockets, kept in a damp-proof box and replaced at expiry, except on undecked private boats under 6 m;
- at least one foam extinguisher of 2 kg or more, recharged after use and at expiry;
- a first aid kit, a waterproof torch, an anchor, oars or a spare means of propulsion, and a bucket;
- a fixed VHF on boats of 6 m and over, or a handheld floating VHF on undecked boats under 6 m;
- a compass and a hand bilge pump on boats of 6 m and over, and navigation lights for night use.
Expired flares go to the police for disposal. Check what the regulations under the new law require for the boat in front of you.
Citing it in a report
In the particulars: "Cyprus circulation licence category A, valid to [date], extent of voyages as stated on the licence." For equipment, cite the regulations in force under Ν. 4(Ι)/2026 for the boat's extent of voyages.