The legislation prohibits the use of a jet ski by people under the age of 17, but even if someone is 17 years old, they are not entitled to use this type of boat, unless accompanied by a person who holds the appropriate license for the boat. At the same time, the issuance of an apprentice pilot license is also required.
The relevant legislation (The Pleasure Navigation in the Republic and Other Related Matters Law of 2026 (4(I)/2026) has been approved by the Parliament this year.
According to the legislation, the boat operator license and the boat operator apprentice license are issued by the competent authority and are classified as follows:
(a) Apprentice boat operator license
(b) Level 1 motor boat operator licence (the level 1 motor boat operator licence is issued for operating vessels less than 12 metres in length).
The law, and specifically chapter 17, provides that:
'A vessel shall not be operated by a person who does not hold a valid pilot's licence. It is understood that the operation of a boat by a holder of an apprentice pilot's license is allowed, provided that it is accompanied by a person who holds the appropriate pilot's license for the vessel and the area of sailing.
In the legislation that also covers operators of boats over 12 meters, in the article in which reference is made to the "Conditions for issuing a pilot's license" it is stated that an operator's license is issued to a candidate who
(a) is at least 18 years of age;
(b) has attended and successfully completed an approved training programme, in accordance with the provisions of Article 22, in an approved school, in accordance with the provisions of Article 23; and
(c) has passed examinations organised by the competent authority in cooperation with the Cyprus Sailing Federation.
Regarding the "apprentice boat operator license" it is stated that "a boat apprentice pilot license is issued to a person who has reached the age of 17".
Article 27 of the legislation provides that "a non-holder of a pilot's license... may, under specific conditions, undertake the operation of motor boats which carry a category B registration certificate with an engine power of up to eighty-five (85) kilowatts and a speed not exceeding 35 knots for recreational boats or personal boats with an engine power of up to 135 kilowatts and with a speed not exceeding 45 knots, which are available for rent from a water sports and recreation company on beaches for the execution of a specific voyage of limited geographical extent and duration'.
It is noted that Jet Skis also fall into category B. Class A boats are those used by their owner or another person (with the owner's permission), free of charge.
As far as holders of a pilot's licence are concerned, they may undertake the operation of motor boats which carry a category B registration for recreational craft without restrictions as to engine power and for individual boats with an engine power of 150 kilowatts, which are available for rent from a water sports and recreational company on beaches for the performance of a specific voyage of limited geographical area and duration.
Regarding the responsibility for renting speedboats, the legislation states that:
"Whenever the owner of a vessel or its representative authorises the use or operation of a vessel with his express or implied approval, in such a way that its use or operation constitutes an offence in accordance with the provisions of the Law or the provisions of the Regulations issued pursuant thereto, the owner of the vessel or his representative shall be considered an accomplice in the commission of the offence and may be prosecuted as a perpetrator and punished accordingly, unless he proves to the court that he was unaware of the commission of the offence and that the offence was not due to an act or omission by him'.
As far as boats are concerned, e.g. Jet skis must be legally registered and have the prescribed registration certificate.
