Do I need to have a VHF license? How do I get one?

In Croatia, yes, this is mandatory and will be specified as such in your contract. At least one person on board (not necessarily the skipper) must hold this Restricted Radiotelephone Operator’s Certificate (CRR, also commonly known as the VHF certificate). Otherwise, you risk a fine of approximately 500 euros and the boat being impounded by the Croatian maritime police.

Note: Some sailors believe that the VHF certificate is included in the coastal boating license since the latter includes an introduction to the basics of VHF (Very High Frequency) radio communication. However, we are indeed referring to a separate certification here, so no, the Restricted Radiotelephone Operator’s Certificate (CRR) is not included in the boating license and must be obtained separately. Numerous sessions are held regularly, about once a month, in major cities. You can find all the information and the session schedule on the website of the National Frequency Agency (ANFR).

In short, registration for the French CRR costs 78 euros, and the exam is a short 25-minute multiple-choice questionnaire. Everything you need to know can be found in the "Maritime CRR Manual," which can be downloaded from the ANFR website.