RYA affiliated training centres in Golfe du Lion

[wavelet]

Is there a cruising instructor in the Golfe du Lion who will test for an ICC? I am in the Mediterranean and wish to transit the French inland waterways north to the UK. I have RYA YM and Ocean, both theory. Mine's a sailing yacht but the mast will be down for the canals, so presumably a minimum ICC for just inland waterways is sufficient.
Also I can get a UK examiner to fly out and test me on my boat - a nice weekend break for someone qualified, some sailing on the Costa Brava.
I do not wish to do the preparatory course because I cannot afford it. I simply wish to fulfill the legal requirements to make a passage through the French canals.
So two questions:
1. Training centre affiliated with RYA in Golfe du Lion?
2. Examiner prepared to fly out to Costa Brava to test an ICC?

 

[Sea Devil]

If you are just coming up the Midi then do not bother - Be very surprised if anyone asked as 99% of the boats, some up to 50ft are driven by charterers who are not required to have a certificate of any sort.....

Almost as safe up the Rhone and Soane and canals to the channel - avoid stopping in Rouen around Paris. Make sure you buy and display the tax paper to use the waterways. That is what you are certain to be asked for. It has not happened to me but I am told sometimes the 'office' you go to in order to buy the disc asks to see your ICC... You can buy them on the telephone or by post or just forget to bring the ICC which you do not have with you.... Make sure you display the Tax form properly so the lock keepers can see it... Unless you are involved in an accident or create a problem you will almost certainly get away with it... They are interested more in the money for the permit than the ICC on a sea boat heading home...

regards

Michael

 

[wavelet]

Ah thanks. so when I telephone how do I get the actual licence? By post to a marina somewhere in the Camargue, or to a UK address? No, surely I will need to visit a Voires Navigables de France (VNF) office?
Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[Sea Devil]

The VNF office will post it to anywhere you ask... Marina - whatever and the start date can be whatever you want - I think its on my web site.. http://www.vnf.fr f .... The French version works better than the English version....

I would go to a lock keeper or the nearest VNF office in person with the dosh for either 30 days or 3 months with your ships papers to prove length x beam and ask for the licence. If they ask for the ICC say it is at home or something - I have never been asked for it - ever!!!! If they do ask then get on the telephone to any main office and do it over the phone and they will post the Tax form to you at your marina - or get a french person to do it on your behalf...

You can also do it by post - write a letter with Name of Boat, Reg No. start date, LxB and the dosh....

Good luck

Michael