Barbados has international maritime obligations, including the obligation to ensure vessel operators are competent to safely operate vessels, thus maintaining the safety of life and property at sea.
As a result, to fulfil its international maritime safety obligations, the Barbados Maritime Transport Administration (BMTA) is urging documented and undocumented operators with experience at sea to complete the grandfathering-in process under the Shipping (Domestic Vessels) Act, 2024 (this Act only applies to non-fishing small vessels of 150 GT and below), as soon as possible.
Persons should note that the enactment of the Shipping (Domestic Vessels) Act, 2024, on July 26, 2024, rendered the Speedboat Driver’s Licence obsolete. To ensure existing vessel owners and operators are licensed to operate in accordance with the new licensing regime under the Shipping (Domestic Vessels) Act, 2024, the BMTA, in collaboration with maritime law enforcement, is grandfathering-in existing operators into the new regime to ensure they have the requisite operating instruments.
To this end:
- Grandfathering-in does not apply to new entrants to the small vessel industry. New entrants to the small vessel industry must undergo the standard marine driving test to obtain a Barbados Small Vessel Operators Licence.
- Grandfathering-in is a one-time activity. Hence, existing operators who were grandfathered-in in 2024 Do Not Need To Be Re-Grandfathered-In. Operators grandfathered-in in 2024 only need to renew licences issued in 2024 under the Shipping (Domestic Vessels) Act, in accordance with the licence expiry date.
- Grandfathering-in of documented operators, i.e. operators who held a Speedboat Driver’s Licence or international boating qualifications before enactment of the Shipping (Domestic Vessels) Act, 2024, on July 26, 2024, resumed June 11, 2025,and concludes December 19, 2025.
- Inactive documented operators, i.e. operators who previously held a Speedboat Driver’s Licence or international boating qualifications before enactment of the Shipping (Domestic Vessels) Act, 2024, but were not actively operating a vessel for 5 years or more, and wish to resume operating, must apply to the Barbados Coast Guard by emailing fasttracktest@bdf.gov.bb to undertake the Fast-Track Competency Test.
The deadline for grandfathering-in of inactive documented operators is April 30, 2026.
- Grandfathering-in of undocumented operators, i.e. operators with vessel operating experience who never held a speedboat driver’s licence or international boating qualifications before July 26, 2024’s enactment of the Shipping (Domestic Vessels) Act, concludes April 30, 2026.
- Undocumented operators with vessel operating experience must undergo the Fast-Track Competency Test being administered by the Barbados Coast Guard and must email fasttracktest@bdf.gov.bb to apply for a test date within the grandfathering-in period.
- The Fast-Track Competency Test is the ONLY test recognised by the BMTA for the strict purpose of grandfathering-in existing operators who are undocumented, i.e. never held a Speedboat Driver’s Licence or international boating qualifications.
- Other training activities provided by C1 Licence holders who also hold a Marine Driving Instructor’s ID or Marine Training Instructor’s ID from BMTA can continue. In other words, Marine Driving Instructors and Marine Training Instructors can continue to train their students as part of their usual private marine training services. However, the Barbados Coast Guard is the entity designated by the Barbados Maritime Transport Administration for Grandfathering-in through the Fast-Track Competency Test process.
Failure to complete the Grandfathering-In process by the specified deadline dates will be subject to the following:
- Being issued with a Maritime Safety Breach Ticket, pursuant to section 288 of the Shipping (Domestic Vessels), 2024, for operating a vessel, water sports craft device without the appropriate licence, in an amount of $1,000.00 (as specified in the Second Schedule to the said Act)
- In addition, existing operators will be required to undergo the standard marine driving test administered to new entrants to the small vessel industry, as the Fast-Track Competency Test will cease on April 30, 2026.
The Barbados Maritime Transport Administration is located on the 4th and 5th Floors, One Barbados Place, Warrens, St. Michael, and documented operators should visit the office to complete the process between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Inactive documented as well as undocumented operators who complete the Fast-Track Competency Test will receive a call from an officer at the BMTA, notifying them when they can proceed to complete the process.
The deadline for documented operators is December 19, 2025, and for inactive documented operators who wish to resume operating, as well as undocumented operators, is April 30, 2026.