For what misdemeanours might the French put me in the naughty corner?

[Nina Lucia]

Thanks for the responses.

For personal reasons I've not been able to do much longer-distance sailing in the last three years or so, just a bit of bimbling in and fairly close to the Solent each summer, so haven't had cause to worry too much about intergalactic safety.

My liferaft service is due in June, appx cost £450 or £550 if cylinder needs replacing (purchased 2013, last serviced 2017, a new equivalent is about £1,700).

The flares are a 2016 RORC pack - I've forgotten how long they last before needing replacement, but current equivalent costs £200 and billed as 3.75yrs to expiry (Dec 2025).

The jury's out on whether I'll trouble with France just yet - plenty enough fun just going to Alderney/Guernsey/Sark etc, and might take in Dartmouth to make a triangle out of it, or just head west anyway...?

Good plan!

 

[Tranona]

No, I think that is potentially wishful thinking. In the same way that if driving through France you need to comply with certain rules on equipment to carry (and if arriving in UK you need to comply with not carrying guns etc), so a yacht cruising in foreign waters needs to pay attention to local rules which may apply. New Zealand seemed to have a particular keenness to apply strict rules to foreign flagged yachts, for example.
There is a very good article on this on the RYA website, where the RYA explore the concept of “innocent passage” which many seem to think applies - whereas they suggest it probably does not for a typical yacht cruise. As with most legal details and ambiguities between national and international laws, I think they suggested somebody might need to fight a case in the foreign court to determine one way or another. But this would be a rather high risk and high cost strategy. Do you feel lucky?
Personally I would (and did) dispose of out of date flares and buy an almanac for sailing in French waters. All other stuff complied with French rules, as boat purchased in France. Seemed simpler than worrying, even if 99% of boats never get checked in detail.

That is misleading. Although states CAN impose their own rules on a boat within their territorial waters such as being based there or cruising from port to port (that is not on innocent passage) the vast majority, including France don't, but abide by "comity" that is respect of others states' laws. There are some well known exceptions - NZ as you mentioned, but it only applies if you keep your boat in NZ under their import laws and Portugal which applies its laws to boats that are kept in Portugal for more than 180 days - that is are deemed "resident" irrespective of flag. This situation was covered at length on these forums when it was current (about 5 or 6 years ago.

So the general position is as most say here, you don't have to comply, but on the subject of flares the authorities have been known to insist they are in date. Bit of a moot point now because fewer and fewer people carry dated pyrotechnics and it is no longer compulsory for all French boats.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I know flares have to be in date. However, does one actually have to have them? Bearing in mind that some are adopting laser flares (which are not, as I understand it, an internationally recognised distress item yet) so would not necessarily carry flares anyway. One does not have to have a life raft; only have it correctly dated if on board. Which always seems a bit odd.

Actually, a laser flare that can flash SOS (as most can) IS an internationally recognized distress signal. It's even on the page of distress signals that we are all required to have on board!

 

[dunedin]

That is misleading. Although states CAN impose their own rules on a boat within their territorial waters such as being based there or cruising from port to port (that is not on innocent passage) the vast majority, including France don't, but abide by "comity" that is respect of others states' laws. There are some well known exceptions - NZ as you mentioned, but it only applies if you keep your boat in NZ under their import laws and Portugal which applies its laws to boats that are kept in Portugal for more than 180 days - that is are deemed "resident" irrespective of flag. This situation was covered at length on these forums when it was current (about 5 or 6 years ago.

So the general position is as most say here, you don't have to comply, but on the subject of flares the authorities have been known to insist they are in date. Bit of a moot point now because fewer and fewer people carry dated pyrotechnics and it is no longer compulsory for all French boats.

Well perhaps worth a read of the RYA site - and follow to the France country specific, plus a further level that I was referring to that is on the member only pages. Law of the Sea and Coastal State | boating abroad | RYA
Per earlier post #17, it is not the case that only flag state rules apply to equipment, and there are legal ambiguities which could make a challenge from a French official on out of date flares, for example, difficult to be able to prove an exemption without local legal expertise (hence better avoided).
As I stated, the vast majority of British boats will never be subject to an equipment inspection, so rarely an issue in practice unless unlucky (or rub up officials the wrong way). However, if you disagree with RYA Legal feel free to correct them.

 

[Daydream believer]

As I stated, the vast majority of British boats will never be subject to an equipment inspection, so rarely an issue in practice unless unlucky (or rub up officials the wrong way). However, if you disagree with RYA Legal feel free to correct them.

I would challenge you there. Whilst the majority do not get inspected- I grant you that- a group of 3 of our yachts on a group yacht club cruise to the D day landings left Le Havre & were motoring home in light airs via Eastbourne. A French customs boat sent a RIB to board all 3. All papers were examined & flares were inspected for dates. Fortunately every thing was in order. It was totally random & nothing had been done in advance to rub anyone up.

 

[Bouba]

I live here with a French flagged boat with its registration number in big letters on both sides of the hull....and I have been stopped numerous times...I always drive slow and carefully...I’ve even been boarded at anchor