Cruising to France - do I need a yacht qualification of any kind?

LadyInBed said:
This has been discussed on previous threads about qualifications and as I remember it, not all EU Countries recognised YM, and that was one of the reasons for coming up with the ICC.
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To be fair, it's a minority of countries that recognize the ICC too and some countries specifically do not recognize it (which seem kinda important). USA, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Sweden, with the RYA Yachtmaster being even less recognized (as in, I'm pretty sure Chartering companies make it up as they go along).
 
dunedin said:
If that is the case, how does it work with SSR. AFAIK there is no formal port of registry for boats on SSR (although there is under the full Part I registration, which is different).
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They only want to see a place name, just put your home location whether a port, harbour or town quay. We have Conwy on transom and use that on paperwork as home port although it's a harbour not a port as would be required under Part 1. Satisfies foreign officials who haven't a clue where it is.
 
Luminescent said:
To be fair, it's a minority of countries that recognize the ICC too and some countries specifically do not recognize it (which seem kinda important). USA, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Sweden, with the RYA Yachtmaster being even less recognized (as in, I'm pretty sure Chartering companies make it up as they go along).
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Sadly true, but it is valid for most of the countries that UK sailors visit
See Resolution 40 ​and RYA - International Certificate for Operators of Pleasure Craft
 
Luminescent said:
Depends on whether it's defined as a Sailboat or a boat with an engine exceeding 6hp (as of 2008) it appears. If it's a Sailboat nope nada (unless inland waters?), if it's a boat with an engine over 6hp then you're going to need a permit of one kind or another.

Disclaimer: No boat, little sailing experience, never been to france (water wise)

https://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/france/lifestyle/sports-leisure/sailing-boat-permits
https://uk.france.fr/en/holiday-prep/boating-france
https://www.french-waterways.com/practicalities/regulations-fees/
https://anglophone-direct.com/boating-sailing-france/ << is the only source that I've found that includes "Unless it's British registered".... which is somewhat worrying.
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The 6hp limit only applies to motor boats. When sail is the principal source of propulsion (and there is a complicated formula to define this but includes nearly all sailing boats) you do not need a licence - unless you take your boat into inland waterways when your sailing boat becomes a motor boat.
 
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Sybarite said:
The 6hp limit only applies to motor boats. When sail is the principal source of propulsion (and there is a complicated formula to define this but includes nearly all sailing boats) you do not need a licence - unless you take your boat into inland waterways when your sailing boat becomes a motor boat.
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Yep that's what I said :D. Honestly, why they have Sailboat or Boat with an Engine, I couldn't frankly tell you. The french are weird.
 
"Port of registry is a requirement under international law."

So if you are registered under the SSR, what is your home port?

'we've never been asked for VAT proof.'

But others, including me, have been.
 
Joker said:
'we've never been asked for VAT proof.'
But others, including me, have been.
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There seems to be no rhyme or reason for it, I wonder if the make and age of the boat has a bearing.
I've never been asked for proof of VAT paid or any other document except SSR and Passport and that is all I ever offer them, but I've only owned older boats designed and built in the UK. OK, they could have been built for export, but I am UK flagged and AFAIK payment of VAT is an internal national thing between me and HMRC.
 
Luminescent said:
To be fair, it's a minority of countries that recognize the ICC too and some countries specifically do not recognize it (which seem kinda important). USA, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Sweden, with the RYA Yachtmaster being even less recognized (as in, I'm pretty sure Chartering companies make it up as they go along).
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Though much of the time it's really not that relevant what countries recognize what, it's what the guy in the uniform giving you a hard time who's in a bad mood cos his cat crapped on the carpet that morning recognizes. :)
Guessing probably a fair chance he's seen an ICC before, or maybe a yachtmaster.
 
Re: Cruising to France - do I need a yacht qualification of any kin

LadyInBed said:
There seems to be no rhyme or reason for it, I wonder if the make and age of the boat has a bearing.
I've never been asked for proof of VAT paid or any other document except SSR and Passport and that is all I ever offer them, but I've only owned older boats designed and built in the UK. OK, they could have been built for export, but I am UK flagged and AFAIK payment of VAT is an internal national thing between me and HMRC.
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Not France, but I was in Oostende in May and we were boarded by Belgium Customs. It was all very friendly but they wanted proof of ownership, registration, insurance, passports, radio lisence. I had everything to hand including proof of VAT paid as the boat was imported back from Guernsey. I offered them the VAT proof and was told "we are not interested in that." We were also asked if we had excessive drinks, drugs or firearms on board. There was no mention of port of registry or home port. I bought my boat from someone in St Mawes and he had changed the marking from Guernsey to to St Mawes. I have never changed it and the boat is now the other side of the country in Kent, so the port or harbour doesn't bear any significance now. With it not shown on the SSR, I can't see any point changing it.
 
Re: Cruising to France - do I need a yacht qualification of any kin

FulmarJeddo said:
Not France, but I was in Oostende in May and we were boarded by Belgium Customs. It was all very friendly but they wanted proof of ownership, registration, insurance, passports, radio licence.
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What! All that and they didn't dip your fuel tank, they are slipping. :)
 
Re: Cruising to France - do I need a yacht qualification of any kin

LadyInBed said:
What! All that and they didn't dip your fuel tank, they are slipping. :)
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No, they asked permission to come aboard for a "document check and obligatory fuel check." After a very jovial document check, with everything to hand and correct, they thanked us for our cooperation and wished us a safe onward journey and left. One of them was carrying a large backpack, which I assumed was the testing kit. I guess if the documentation hadn't been in order, or if we had been awkward they may have checked the fuel. Maybe our relaxed attitude to them indicated we had nothing to hide. I have been filling with white diesel for at least the last two years.
 
"but I am UK flagged and AFAIK payment of VAT is an internal national thing between me and HMRC"

Tell that to the Dutch Customs.
I was boarded whilst in the harbour at Oost Vlieland and the Customs wanted to see various things, including the Bill of Sale as proof that I had paid VAT. I have it on a tablet in PDF, which they accepted. However, there was mention of an invoice on the Bill of Sale, and and they asked if I had a copy of that invoice. I hadn't, at that time. They became very agitated by this, and insisted that I produced proof that I had paid VAT. At this point, I got a little annoyed, and asked them if I drove through their country in my car, would they demand proof that I paid VAT on the car? Would they demand proof that I had paid VAT on the laptop down below? They equivocated at that, and then told me "boats are different". Why? I asked. I didn't get a real answer to that one, but they subsequently chased me up by email. Eventually, when I got home, I was able to find a copy of the invoice, which I emailed to them. I got a reply to say that the case was now closed.
 
Joker said:
Tell that to the Dutch Customs.
I was boarded whilst in the harbour at Oost Vlieland and the Customs wanted to see various things, including the Bill of Sale as proof that I had paid VAT.
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That would be interesting if it happened to me, as one of the first things I did when I bought my boat was change its name, so the Bill of Sale is for a boat with a different name. As the boat was 'home completed' there is no proof that I had paid VAT either, just a lot of invoices for parts!
That was why in my post #52 I wondered if the make and age of the boat has a bearing.
 
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