SENAN, Panama's Servicio Nacional Aeronaval, is the force that boards boats at sea. It checks the boat's registration, the skipper's AMP licence, everyone's ID, your zarpe if you are moving between ports, and basic safety gear. The AMP runs its own inspections at docks, often with SENAN. Have the papers in one bag and the boarding takes minutes.
Who SENAN is, and who the AMP is
SENAN was created by Decreto Ley 7 of 2008, merging the old maritime and air services. It belongs to the Ministerio de Seguridad Pública and is part of the Fuerza Pública. On the water it is police, coast guard and border patrol in one. It patrols, boards, enforces and runs search and rescue.
The Autoridad Marítima de Panamá (AMP) is the regulator. It registers boats, licenses skippers through Gente de Mar, issues zarpes through its port captains, and inspects vessels. When you read about an "operativo" on a holiday weekend, it is usually AMP inspectors working at the docks with SENAN on the water.
The ACP polices its own Canal waters with launches, and ARAP and MiAmbiente enforce fishing and protected-area rules, often with SENAN aboard. There is no Panamanian version of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary's voluntary vessel safety check.
Where and when you will meet them
- Panama City: SENAN has a station on the Amador causeway, reported at Isla Perico, and a naval base at Vacamonte. Boats leaving Flamenco and La Playita for Taboga and Las Perlas are the most likely to be checked.
- Holiday weekends: Carnaval, Semana Santa and the November fiestas patrias bring larger joint AMP and SENAN operations at ports and beaches.
- Colón and the Caribbean: SENAN's Atlantic base serves Colón, Portobelo and the route to San Blas. Expect checks.
- Bocas del Toro, Chiriquí and Coiba: SENAN has stations in all three, including inside Coiba National Park.
Where each office sits in the city is in marine offices and contacts.
What they check
AMP holiday operations follow two phases. Inspectors first review documents: valid navigation permits, and licences issued by the Dirección General de la Gente de Mar. Then they check safety gear: life jackets, fire-fighting equipment, flares and communications. At sea, SENAN asks for much the same.
| Panamanian boat | Foreign yacht |
|---|---|
| Registration or patente | Flag registration and the AMP cruising permit |
| Skipper's AMP licence | Skipper's licence; the crew list on the cruising permit or zarpe |
| Radio licence | Radio licence from the flag state |
| Cédula or passport for everyone | Passports with Panama entry stamps |
| Zarpe, if moving between port-captain areas | Domestic zarpe where the port captain expects one |
| Safety gear: see required safety equipment | The same safety gear, whatever the flag |
If you are fishing, have your ARAP licence ready; see fishing licences. If you carry paying guests, add the operating licence, ATP registration and manifest; see charter enforcement.
Alcohol and drug testing
AMP Resolution J.D. 053-2018 lets the authorities carry out random alcohol and drug tests at national ports. Results are graded: within tolerance, alcohol on the breath, or intoxication. Penalties range from a warning to fines and the withdrawal, suspension or cancellation of the licence, with heavier penalties for a repeat offence within a year. A positive test sends the licence to Gente de Mar for sanction. In Canal waters, ACP notice N-11-2026 bans operating any small craft under the influence. The guests can drink; the person at the helm should not.
How to handle a boarding
- Answer the radio. SENAN may call you on VHF 16 or hail you by voice. Reply, slow down, and follow their instructions on where to stop.
- Keep everyone seated and hands visible while their crew comes aboard or alongside. Fenders out on the side they choose.
- Hand over the folder. Originals or certified copies, in a dry bag, in the order of the table above.
- Speak simply. Many officers speak some English, but a few Spanish words help: buenos días, aquí están los documentos, somos turistas, vamos a Taboga.
- Ask what happens next if they find a problem, and get the name of the office where you must go. A citation to appear at the AMP is the usual result for an expired document.
The US version, which feels similar but runs under different law, is preparing for a Coast Guard boarding.
The problems that cause trouble
AMP reports from Bocas del Toro and Chiriquí in 2024 found the same problems again and again: expired operator licences and expired navigation permits. Other common ones are too few life jackets for the people aboard, out-of-date flares, a missing zarpe on an inter-port trip, and a foreign resident without a local licence. Residents, including foreigners, need a Panamanian boat licence just as Panamanians do; noonsite reported this from Bocas in 2012, and the visiting-cruiser exception applies only to visitors. Set calendar reminders for every expiry date, and keep the crew list current.
Your practical starting checklist
- Keep registration, licences, radio licence, zarpe and IDs in one dry bag at the helm.
- Check expiry dates on every licence and permit each month.
- Monitor VHF 16 underway and answer any SENAN call at once.
- Slow down, keep guests seated and follow the boarding team's instructions.
- Keep the helmsman sober all day.
- If cited, note the office and deadline and fix the problem before your next trip.
Frequently asked questions
¿Qué es el SENAN en Panamá?
El Servicio Nacional Aeronaval, creado por el Decreto Ley 7 de 2008 y adscrito al Ministerio de Seguridad Pública. En el mar patrulla, aborda embarcaciones, hace cumplir la ley y realiza búsqueda y salvamento. En una emergencia llame al 911 o al canal 16 de VHF.
¿Qué documentos pide el SENAN en una embarcación?
El registro o patente de la nave, la licencia del operador emitida por la AMP, la licencia de radio, la identificación de todos a bordo y el zarpe si navega entre puertos. También revisa chalecos salvavidas, extintor, bengalas y luces.
Can SENAN board a foreign yacht?
Yes. In Panamanian waters SENAN can board any vessel. It will ask for the cruising permit, passports with entry stamps, the crew list and any domestic zarpe.
What happens if my licence has expired?
AMP reports describe citations and orders to regularise the licence before sailing again, and the AMP can fine under Ley 57 of 2008. Confirm current fine amounts with the AMP.
How do I contact SENAN?
In an emergency, call 911 or use VHF channel 16. We could not confirm a published public line for the Amador station; ask your marina for the current contact.
The next question to answer
The enforcement collection. Read SENAN, the AMP and the rules.
The gear a boarding checks. Read Required safety equipment.
When a port captain expects one. Read Zarpes, domestic and international.
Same topic in Florida: coming from the US? Compare Preparing for a Coast Guard Boarding.
Official resources
Use the relevant Panamanian authority for current requirements and fees. These resources are the next place to check; a practical recommendation is not an agency determination.
- AMP: operativo interinstitucional de seguridad marítima, Bocas del Toro (2024) ↗
- AMP: Resolución J.D. 053-2018, requisitos de títulos de Gente de Mar, pruebas de alcohol y drogas (FAOLEX copy) ↗
- ACP: OP Notice to Shipping N-11-2026, small craft in Canal waters ↗
- TVN: AMP inspection phases, carnavales 2025 (secondary, press) ↗
- Wikipedia: Servicio Nacional Aeronaval, Decreto Ley 7 de 2008 and stations (secondary) ↗
- Noonsite: Panama dinghy licence for local residents (secondary, 2012) ↗