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Published on 6 January 2025

Leisure and sport

The Swiss Maritime Navigation Office (SMNO) is responsible for recreational craft used for sport or leisure purposes at sea or in foreign inland waterways and coastal waters. This includes registering and deleting yachts (CE design categories A and B) from the official register as well as issuing and renewing certificates of registry for yachts. The SMNO is also in charge of issuing, renewing and cancelling of flag confirmations for coastal boats (CE design category C).

6 January 2025

Yachts

The SMNO is the point of contact for registering or deleting yachts (CE design categories A and B) from the official register as well as issuing or renewing certificates of registry for yachts.

6 January 2025

Coastal boats

The SMNO is the point of contact for issuing, renewing and cancelling confirmations of flag registration for small and coastal vessels (CE design category C).

The Swiss flag on the sea in front of the volcano of Stromboli.

6 January 2025

Advantages of sailing under the Swiss flag

The Swiss flag offers a number of advantages for shipping companies, owners and seafarers – as well as instilling a feeling of home on board the ships sailing under it.

A wheel helm in front of the Swiss flag.

6 January 2025

Skipper's licences

Sailing a yacht or operating a coastal boat requires special knowledge and skills. A skipper's licence confirms that the holder has the relevant qualifications.

A shipwreck on the seabed. The vessel is barely recognisable.

6 January 2025

Underwater cultural heritage

In 2020, Switzerland ratified the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage to support the long-term preservation of valuable cultural assets such as shipwrecks and submerged settlements.