Regulations in France

[Molarmike]

I am emigrating to Brittany and taking my 22'6'' Westerly Nomad. I will be at Port-Launay on the Aulne but I cannot find out what the regulations are. Do I need an ICC or what other certification if any is required? Can anyone help?

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[Birdseye]

As I understand it you do not need an ICC until you become resident ie as long as they see you as a British visitor. Then - and I think there are laws about when this has to happen in France - you even need to reregister your boat under the French flag and comply with French codes. Whats more, unlike here in the UK, the authorities actually check up since they know where immigrants live. (Eat your heart out Blunkett)

Couple of years ago, I met a Paddy living in France who had just been forced to go through that with an old Centaur. Wasnt amused.

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.

 

[Sea Devil]

I live in France too.

Provided you keep your British registration you need nothing for a sailing boat at all.

If you take out French registration then the boat needs to have various degrees of equipment depending on the sailing you do.

Once you take the mast down and she becomes a motorboat on the rivers or canals you need a certificate of copetence from the RYA or a C catagory certificate from the French - pretty easy and basic.

Other than that you just arrive, park your boat and enjoy the wonderful French facilities.

Hope this is helpful - ask if you need to know more

<hr width=100% size=1>If you have time please visit my web site -
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing>http://www.michaelbriant.com/sailing</A>

 

[John_Walker]

If you maintain your British registration you will not need to do anything and there are no particular regulations that you have to comply with, except any local harbour regulations such as having adequate insurance.

You will not need an ICC to use your boat at sea, indeed the French do not need any type of certificate of competence for sailing boats.

One potential issue is that all boats in France owned by French residents, regardless of the owner's nationality, are liable to a tax (droit annuel de francisation et de navigation) which is collected by the customs. If your boat is registered in France, the customs have your address and know where to send the bill. I don't how they collect it from boats with foreign flags. You might want to ask about it at the local customs if you want to stay on the right side of the law. It should not be much for a Westerly Nomad. There is an explanation in the French nautical almanac "Votre Livre de Board".

I'm sure you will enjoy living and sailing in France

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[JackFrobisher]

Your boat will neeed to be registered, either with the SSR, if it remains essentially a UK boat, or in France with whatever their equivalent is. This is a French customs requirement and they will fine you heavily if your boat is not registered and less so if you don't have the documents to hand when they come to check.

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[charles_reed]

If you\'re living on

your boat, you will have 6 months before you have to re-register it as French and pay your annual droit and conform to French regulations.

If however your boat is being used for recreation, all you need is UK SSR registration, which is far less onerous and expensive than French requirements.

You only need a certificate of competence for power boats of above 5CV (I think), but you will need one for inland waterways - the UK ICC with inland waterway addition will suffice.

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[cmckesson]

Re: If you\'re living on

Errr, is cruising from one place to another "living" or "recreating"?

Chris McKesson, USA

 

[colin_jones]

Port Launay is 'inland ' waterway, because you go through the lock.
In theory, you need to have passed the CEVNI test and have the regulations book on board.

I have never been asked for mine but --- in Port Launay 2 years ago, I was visited by Customs. They were fine... but if you catch one on a bad day!!!!!