License Required

[ChesapkLady]

I've gotten good advice from this group before, and hope to again . . .
I am giving a seminar on "Canals in Europe" at the "TrawlerFest" in Stuart, Florida at the end of this month -- admittedly this is a very VERY broad subject, but one which I hope to do justice to.
I know from personal experience that as a visiting American boater in France I do not need a license. But I have been told several contradicting stories about licenses for a) natives of the countries of France, Britain, Holland, Germany (are they required? And what sorts of exams or knowledge are part of that requirement if it exists?) and b) visiting American boaters who OWN a boat in any of the above countries (whether purchased there, or transported there from here. . . ) is a license required in that case, and if so are exams available in other than the native language of the country in which one desires the license? Is there a governing body in any or all of the countries listed above which can give me definitive answers to the above?
My object here is to make it possible for interested attendees at this seminar to envision a year or six in a variety of European countries, doing what they love best, which is boating and meeting and enjoying the company of other boaters.

 

[Shakey]

If your boat is registered / flagged in an European country then you have to comply with that country's laws.

So if you have a UK flagged boat you don't need any qualifications or licence, but a French one does.

I think the French require anyone on their canal system to have the CEVNI qualification regardless of the boat's flag.

Try posting on Liveaboard Link - someone there will be able to give you the full chapter and verse on the subject.

 

[ChesapkLady]

Wonderful, very helpful. But. . . if I am an American and purchase a boat in the UK, I have to comply with . . . with what? Who do I talk with about being in compliance?

Thanks,
Peggy

 

[Sea Devil]

If you are an american and you buy a boat in the UK - and the VAT is already paid on it - i.e it is 2nd hand - or new but you pay the VAT then you do not have to comply with anything - the boat will be American flagged as you have to be a resident to be British flagged - There are a whole set of 'compliance' rules en the EU but if you buy here the boat will already comply...

The boat may operate in all european waters indefinatly as it is VAT paid - you may have some visa restrictions but not the boat....

If you bring your US boat to UK/Europe you begin to have more challanges - as an US visiting vessel you may remain in European Waters for (I think you need to check this for exact duration) one year - after that time you would have to pay VAT on the vesssel and it would have to comply - The easy to way to make it comply is to cetify it for shallow sea and rivers - the minimum and then just carry on as normal - there are no laws saying you cannot take a river boat to sea...

If you use the French canal system you peronally need a canal licence and pass a test to show you know the rules of the canals... Cost for both around $300 upwards.

 

[stephenh]

It might help matters if you were to seperate the subject -

The Boat

where registered - i.e. which flag it is under
RCD compliance - does it structurally comply
import taxes - VAT, duty etc
Insurance
Where the boat is when these questions are asked

The Boater

where domiciled
licences - ICC, CEVNI

There will be different answers to the above for every combination !!!
Welcome to the birthplace of bureaucracy............

 

[Birdseye]

Its a real interesting question but I suspect there is no easy answer.

For us, as EU citizens (that will bring some comment!) the situation is simple. We need proof of competence (an International Cert of Competence) endorsed to say that we have passed the simple CEVNI test if we are to use the canals in continental Europe in our own boats. In some countries we also need to carry particular navigation documents.

If however we simply hire a boat over there to have a canal holiday, the Rules seem no longer to exist. Nothing to do with French financial interests you understand!

I suspect that if you were to hire a boat you would find the same situation. If your money was good, so would be your competence. But the best way to check is with the hire companies.

If you bring a US flagged boat over here, you will undoubtedly find more problems. In France, for example, you hear of occasional aggressive attitude toward US visiting boats and our VAT regulations which in theory require you to pay VAT if your boat is here for more ythan 6 months. But most people seem to have no problem. I suggest you ask the French (and other) tourist offices and get a definitive answer.

In the UK you are unlikely to have any problem, but the canals here are mainly way too narrow for anything but the specialised narrow boats that use them.

In theory we have the same rules in the EU. In practise the detail and the vigour of implementation vary from country to country. So best to check with the authorities concerned.