what documentation & licences are needed to travel french waterways

[stephen27]

hi all, can anybody help me with more info, i plan taking my first cruiser (31ft searay) from southampton though the french waterways to marseille to moor it in the med... what docs and licenses do i need...thankyou (total newbie)

 

[dulcibella]

You will need an International Certificate of Competence with a CEVNI (inland waterways) endorsement, your passport, evidence of ownership of the boat, certificate of insurance and evidence that the vessel is VAT-paid or VAT-exempt. The odds are that you will be asked for none of these, but French officials occasionally decide to pounce and ask for the lot. By the way, all the documents must be originals, not photocopies. If you have RYA Day Skipper practical or better, you can get the ICC from the RYA by filling in the form (downloadable from the RYA website) without a further test. However, You will need to study the rules for CEVNI (excellent booklet by Marian Martin) and take a simple MCQ test at a sea school.
Sort this quickly then have a really enjoyable, relaxing trip.

 

[andyorr]

Re: what documentation & licences are needed to travel french waterways

I'm sure I've read that you need a permit to use the waterways. Some sort of licence bought from a port authority at the start of the journey? Might be wrong though!!

 

[Grehan]

Fil d\'eau

You must buy a VNF vignette. Can buy this from the first VNF office you come to - e.g Rouen.
All the details can be found at
http://www.vnf.fr/vnf/content.vnf?lang=en&action=content&occ_id=4615 [in English]

You could also take a look at our information website www.grehan.ukhq.co.uk - our logs, pictures, advice, etc. from 9 months travelling through France.

 

[Sea Devil]

Re: what documentation & licences are needed to travel french waterway

You need three bits of paper.

First off you need a ICC - International Certificate of competence - have a look at the RYA web site or mine for details but basically it is a certificate that says you can drive a motorboat - safely.. (the yacht with the mast down is a motorboat)This is a practical course with a practical exam.

You then need the CEVNI which is an endorsement of the ICC for inland waterways. This is a written multiply choice exam which is interested in the rules, regulations and signs on French inland waterways. You need to buy the relevant books and swot up - not difficult - just needs a few evenings.

Lastly and possibly most importantly there is the French pleasure boat licence for inland waterways.. You must display this and lock keepers will ask to see it - big fine if you don't have it!

You buy this by post, telephone or on arrival at the first inland waterway place in France. The fee is worked out by 'area' of the deck and can be paid on daily, monthly, 3 monthly or annual basis - again have a look at my web site for details of how it works and costs etc... Most of that info is under canal routes..

Michael