Boating quals in France

[Wiggo]

A friend has a second home in the SoF with an 18m mooring and fancies getting a boat (nothing too large at this stage). I'm familiar with the RYA schemes, but can anyone tell me the requirements in France? My mate was under the impression that successive levels allowed him to travel further from shore and that it was mandatory.

TIA

 

[Tranona]

A friend has a second home in the SoF with an 18m mooring and fancies getting a boat (nothing too large at this stage). I'm familiar with the RYA schemes, but can anyone tell me the requirements in France? My mate was under the impression that successive levels allowed him to travel further from shore and that it was mandatory.

TIA

Yes, for a French registered boat he will require a licence for a power boat based on the size of the boat/engine. The distance offshore is to do with the compulsory equipment required which is dependent on how far offshore you go.

These rules do not apply if the boat retains its UK registration, but if he is French resident he will have to pay an annual registration fee comparable to a French boat.

This is a bit of a grey area, and it would make sense to have an ICC as this is accepted for example for navigation in the inland waterways (if it has the CEVNI endorsemant) and sems to be acceeptable for hiring French boats.

 

[Nick_H]

I'm pretty sure you need a qual to drive tenders in French waters, regardless of where the main boat is registered. ICC covers it.

 

[Momac]

This any help?

http://provence.angloinfo.com/countries/france/boatlic.asp

 

[saskia]

I think the Anglo-Info page is out of date. I obtained a coastal permit last year, and on it it says, in English, that the options available are:

"Coastal navigation option (Option cotiere): any type of sea-going navigation within 6 miles from a place of safety.
Offshore navigation extension (Extension hauturiere): any type of sea-going navigation without any distance restriction."

There are also extensions for inland waterways. As you see, there is no mention of engine size.

Getting the permit involved signing up with a registered sailing school - at a cost of about Euro 300, as I recall. Some three hours of simple practical stuff on a boat that the school provided - MOB and docking mainly. The instructor then validated one's competence. Otherwise classroom sessions on Colregs, home study with an online option, and eventually the public test in Toulon: multiple choice questions on a screen, push the right button to answer. Something like three or four wrong answers permitted out of the 25. All in French, of course, but very simple, frankly. The most difficult thing I found was remembering Tribord and Babord..........

Best of luck,

Nick

 

[Portofino]

Agree, I did my " permit de mer" at a bateau ecole in the So f back in 05 .
Can be part time spread out over a week with test MCQ Fri am at test centre . Then on the water driving test 1/2 hour things like mooring on a bouy, MoB drill, mooring to pontoon, steering on a bearing, and answering Q ,s like the cardinal bouy,s that are out there.
I have the RYA stuff, but figured when in Rome , actually France,.........
With a big bright in your face Red Engsan hanging on the stern ------------
It also helps when you get done by the douane,s and /or maritime police , on routine stops typically at popular anchorages . Keep a copy in your Doc, s file and drop it on the table when they are pouring over your insurance, Vat , Reg doc, etc,etc .They can,t argue with that it's there own Qualification ,it's all smiles and "Au revoir"
Also for me helps reassure wife / Kidd,s etc that Dad suppose to have reasonable idea of what to to?
As we know your problem is rocks.. SoF is littered some marked some not .also loads of lobster pots
No amount of training Qualification s are a substitute for common sence .I Kidd you not every summer a snorkel and find a wrecked MoBo ( that was not there last year) hope this helps .