In Turkey the Maritime Undersecretariat-affiliated Amateur Maritime Federation is the only authority that issues the license amateur seamen need to sail unsupervised.

  Although an exam is required to obtain the license, revision and study is not necessary although it is recommended. The test is administered by the Amateur Maritime Federation every four months in Istanbul and Ankara. The vice president of the federation, Teoman Arsay, says they are working with the undersecretariat to decrease the number of documents required for applications. “A certificate of education is asked and a primary school diploma is required at the least. We believe if the applicant can read and understand the test, then obviously he can read and must have graduated from primary school.”

  Another document complicating matters is registry at the public prosecutor's office, confirming the applicant is a citizen in good standing. “The license we provide, unlike driver's license, cannot be used as identification. So this is unnecessary.” He adds that they are in talks with the undersecretariat to make these changes and that the undersecretariat does not appear to have a negative view of their suggestions.

  Arsay, himself an amateur sailor for many years, is optimistic about the future. He says that even though it is not obligatory, many people prefer to study before they set sail because they do this for their own pleasure. “Amateur sailors are becoming more and more conscientious.”