Turkey's Boat Licence (ADB) Explained — and What Charter Guests Actually Need

If you're planning to skipper a boat on Turkey's coast, you'll run into three letters sooner or later: ADB — the Amatör Denizci Belgesi, Turkey's national boating licence. Understanding what it is (and what it isn't) saves a lot of confusion, because the rules are different depending on whether you live in Turkey or you're visiting to charter.

We arrange charters out of Göcek and get these questions weekly. Here's the straight version: what the ADB covers, who can get one, and — for visiting sailors — what you actually need to charter bareboat in Turkish waters.

What is the ADB?

The ADB is Turkey's licence for operating private (non-commercial) boats up to 24 metres. It's a lifetime document with no renewal requirement, issued by the Ministry of Transport through an online system: applicants complete around ten hours of online theory, then sit an online exam. The key word is private — the ADB doesn't allow carrying paying passengers or working as a professional skipper; those need commercial qualifications.

Who can get an ADB?

Turkish and Northern Cypriot citizens, plus foreigners holding a Turkish residence permit. The minimum age is 15 (with parental consent under 18), and health requirements are met either with an eye/ENT report or simply a valid category B driving licence. If you've moved to Turkey and live here, getting the ADB is a sensible, inexpensive step — the whole process runs online.

Visiting sailor? You don't need an ADB

This is the part that surprises people: holiday visitors neither need nor can practically obtain an ADB, since it's tied to citizenship or residency. Charter companies in Turkey instead accept a valid boating licence from your home country — an ICC (International Certificate of Competence), RYA Day Skipper, SBF-See, or an equivalent national qualification — usually together with a sailing CV showing real experience. Requirements vary by company and by boat, so confirm what's accepted before you book. No licence at all? A skippered charter gets you the same bays with none of the paperwork.

Bareboat chartering in Göcek

Göcek is arguably Turkey's most forgiving place to start bareboat: short distances, sheltered water and dozens of anchorages within a two-hour sail. How the booking, checkout and deposit process works is covered step by step in our bareboat charter guide, and if you're unsure what boat suits your crew, start with our guide to yacht types. When you're ready, we'll help you find the right boat for a bareboat or skippered charter in Göcek — we know these boats and these waters personally.

Licence in hand: a few honest words

A licence proves theory; the Gulf of Göcek still expects seamanship. Anchoring stern-to with a long line ashore, reading the afternoon meltemi, picking the right bay for the night — these come with experience, not paperwork. If it's your first time in the area, consider a skippered first day or two: you'll learn the local moorings from someone who has anchored in them a thousand times, then take over with confidence.