ITB boats: what it is, how to pass it and associated regulations

If you are the owner of one or several boats, you will already know that there is certain documentation and some procedures that you must keep up to date to have everything in order and avoid possible fines or sanctions. One of the most important is the ITB: in this post we tell you everything you need to know.

What is the ITB or Technical Boat Inspection?

The Technical Inspection of Ships refers to the periodic controls and examinations to which all vessels must undergo and through which the authorities ensure that the conditions stipulated in the regulations are met to guarantee safe navigability. 

Like the ITV of vehicles, this inspection is carried out through Collaborating Entities of the General Directorate of the Merchant Navy and approved by it.

Guys

The legislation provides for different types of mandatory ITB for vessels:

• Initial: to which all boats are subject, except those that have the CE conformity marking.
• Periodic: It is usually carried out every five years, and is mandatory for boats over 6 meters in length for private use and for all boats used for profit.
• Intermediate: it is carried out two or three years after the last periodic ITB and is mandatory for boats that are used for profit and have a length greater than 6 meters, for boats for private use with a length greater than 15 meters or with a length of 6 meters from now on if they are made of wood.
• Additional: this recognition is mandatory whenever the circumstances of the vessel have changed or new equipment has been installed in a way that may affect its safety, such as in the case of stranding, collisions, breakdowns or repairs, such as changing the engine or changing the area of navigation.
• Extraordinary: required by a competent judicial body or the General Directorate of the Merchant Navy.

Which boats have to pass the technical inspection?

In Spain, both ships with Spanish registration and some of those with a foreign flag are subject to the periodic ITB. Specifically, the vessels from the 6th list (sports boats operated for profit) whose length ranges between 2.5 and 24 meters and those belonging to the 7th list (pleasure sports boats) with lengths of between 6 and 24 meters.

As regards the foreign-flagged ships, those who dedicate themselves to rental in spanish waters and whose length is included between 2.5 and 24 meters.

When is the best time to pass the inspection?

It depends on the type of inspection to which the vessel must undergo:

• Initial: at the time the vessel is built, in order to obtain the necessary seaworthiness certificate.
• Periodic and intermediate: before the expiration period of the last inspection passed ends.
• Additional: as soon as the modifications have been made that require the boat to be inspected again and before setting sail again.
• Extraordinary: as soon as possible after we have received the relevant notification.

How to pass the ITB

Passing the Technical Boat Inspection is a simple procedure, but it depends on whether or not the boat has the necessary seaworthiness certificate; Therefore, it is convenient pay attention to the procedure and the necessary conditions for the boat to be considered fit.

Procedure

You must choose the collaborating entity with whom you are going to pass the inspection and make an appointment. Keep in mind that, in the case of periodic inspections, the boat must be checked dry, so you must plan how to get it out of the water for that date.

Once the inspector arrives, he will conduct a general inspection of the boat, paying special attention to the fact that the Serial number of the hull, engines and registration match with those shown in the documentation.

Once the exam is completed, you will receive the certificate with the result of the inspection: if it is positive, you will not have to do anything else until the date of the next ITB.

Mandatory equipment and material that you must bring on board

He equipment and material that you must carry on board and that the inspector will review in the context of the ITB depends on the navigation area through which you are going to travel. As you know, there are 7 navigation zones, delimited by the distance from the coast:

• Zone 1: unlimited distance.
• Zone 2: up to 60 miles from the coastline.
• Zone 3: up to 25 miles from the coastal area.
• Zone 4: up to 12 miles from the coastal area.
• Zone 5: up to 5 miles from a shelter or accessible beach.
• Zone 6: up to 2 miles from a shelter or accessible beach.
• Zone 7: includes protected coastal waters, ports, roadsteads and estuaries, as well as sheltered bays and any type of protected waters.

In our post Navigation areas in Spain, do you know what they are? You will find all the information regarding the different navigation areas and the equipment required in each of them.

What will the inspector look for?

Of all the types of ITBs, without a doubt the periodic and intermediate are the ones that can worry the most to the seafarer, since the initial one does not depend directly on him, while the additional and extraordinary ones are more specific: in an additional ITB, the changes that have motivated the inspection will be examined exclusively, while in the extraordinary one the inspector will look at those circumstances that have motivated the Navy to request the ITB.

On the contrary, periodic and intermediate inspections are more exhaustive and in them the inspector will take into account the following aspects:

• The hull of the boat and its buoyancy. If the boat is a sailboat, you will pay attention to the keel, centerboard and joints with the hull.
• The propulsion of the boat: shaft, propellers, tails and turbine.
• The presence and status of security equipments mandatory.
• The electrical and gas installation, if there is one.

Possible results of ITB

There are 4 possible results after the Technical Boat Inspection: satisfactory, favorable with minor deficiencies. unfavorable or negative. Below we explain them in detail:

• Satisfying: the vessel meets all the required requirements and can therefore sail normally until the date of the next inspection.
• Favorable with minor deficiencies: The inspection found minor problems that must be resolved before using the boat again, but without requiring a new inspection.
• Unfavorable: Problems have been detected that must be resolved within less than two months. Additionally, the inspector must reassess the boat before sailing again.
• Negative: awarded when the ship is not seaworthy and cannot be repaired; must be communicated to the Maritime Captaincy.

Certificate of navigability

The navigability certificate is the document that certifies that the vessel has passed the ITB favorably and that, therefore, it is seaworthy, before the maritime authority, as well as before insurers, potential clients and, ultimately, any interested party.

Like the automobile circulation permit, must always be carried on board to present it if required: in case of not having it, the interested party will have a period of 5 business days to justify its existence and validity.

Navigating without a certificate or with it expired is considered a serious infraction; If, in addition, it is a recreational or sports boat that does not meet the safe navigability conditions to transit safely, the violation will be very serious.

ITB for foreign flag ships

Are forced to pass the ITB Spanish, in addition to the equivalent inspection in their own countries, those ships with a foreign flag that carry out nautical charter activities in Spain. This procedure is easier if it is carried out with an accredited entity that collaborates directly with the inspection companies in your country of origin.

Tips to achieve a favorable ABI

Achieving a favorable ITB is not difficult, as long as the boat is well cared for and attention is paid to the following important points:

• It is highly recommended to pass the inspection before the last ITB expires favorable.
• Before the inspection date, the security elements with expiration date and replace those that have exceeded it or are close to doing so.
• Keep up to date good maintenance of the boat, making the necessary repairs and replacements, is essential to avoid costly repairs before the ITB or risk not passing it.
• Check that you have all the necessary equipment for the accredited navigation area.

Finally, remember to take all the ship documentation, in case the inspector needs to check it.

How much does the Technical Boat Inspection cost?

The ITB price is directly related to the meters of length of the boat and can range from just over 100 euros, for boats less than 6 meters in length, to more than 1,000 euros, if they exceed 24 meters.

Some entities, such as Sailing clubs or accredited inspection entities offer discounts and advantages, which never hurts to consult, since the savings can be significant.