The coast guard keeps an eye on the sea

Coast guard

Boatman's certificate for pleasure craft

Secretary of State for the North Sea Philippe De Backer wishes to introduce a boatman's certificate, as is the case on inland waters, for large or fast pleasure craft on the North Sea to guarantee safety .If you wish to go sailing on the North Sea with a vessel whose lenght exceeds 15 metres or whose speed exceeds 20 kilometres per hour, you are obliged to prove that you can sail by obtaining a cerificate.
There will be a transitional period and exceptions may be made for jetski's. All certificates that have been obtained before, remain valid. Holders of a certificate do not need to obtain a new certificate.
These plans form part of the pleasure craft reform. Earlier, the rules for commercial pleasure craft were already simplified.  

http://www.philippedebacker.com/