1st Channel Crossing - Ship's Papers

[Sybarite]

Re: 1st Channel Crossing - Ship\'s Papers

I am not allowed by French law to wear the French flag. It is reserved for French individuals whose boats have an "Acte de Francisation" whereas mine has a "passeport" (a boat based in France and owned by a foreign national either resident in France or abroad.. but paying the same annual taxes).

I am unaware of any recent changes but, in view of the confusion, I checked at the customs stand at the last Salon Nautique at Paris and they confirmed that I was acting correctly.

In fact I believe that there is a big grey area and nobody knows the definitive answer. I had the same problem with my VHF. Neither the French nor the British would accept registration of it and I have been "illegal" for the last 15 years. At least I have saved the license fee but, on the other hand, I don't have a call sign.

John

 

[Guest]

Re: 1st Channel Crossing - Ship\'s Papers

I guess that the "passeport" is not actually a registration of ownership, more of a compliance certificate that you have satisfied French navigation rules? I think you'll find that you can register ownership in France with a "Francisation" if you're an EU citizen resident in France.

Here is one website for example which sets out the ownership requirements for French registered yachts: http://www.capmaritimeservices.com/capmsframefr.htm

According to that, the French rules are similarish to the British rules, ie. you can register if you're an EU citizen resident there.

If I have understood correctly, the registration with Customs and with the "Affaires Maritimes" are separate things from the "Francisation" ie. French registration procedure. Perhaps part of the problem is that you asked the Customs people - as they're not actually the ones who issue the "Francisation", they may not have been clear about the rules???

The alternative is Part 1 registration in Britain, which I don't think has a UK residency requirement. Also, so far as I can see, the MCGA website, which sets out the nationality requirements for Part 3 registration, doesn't mention residency either, so it's possible that the rules for Part 3 registration have relaxed, it might be worth checking, or maybe this is just an oversight on the MCGA's part (or mine).