Driving a powerboat in France.

simon · 13-08-2008, 06:10 PM

Hi, can anyone tell me what is the minimum legal requirement to drive a powerboat in France?

Frenchbruno · 13-08-2008, 06:56 PM

Hi,
if you can read french , I'll send you a document which explain what you have to do. If not let me a few time to make the translation for you.

Frenchbruno · 13-08-2008, 07:30 PM

member of EEU:
drive a french boat:
with the boat licence of your country you are allowed to drive the same type/size of boat with french flag. Be able to show you boat licence if required by french autority.
drive the boat of your country:
your country boat licence is ok for the navigation of your boat in France
normaly a translation of your boat licence is necessary if you are checked by autority.
You can also ask to french autority an equivalence of your country boat licence, you need to give several documents .
http://www.mer.gouv.fr/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=2661
Inside this link:Arrêté du 6 juin 2008
you have a PDF document which explain what you have to do.
If you are planing to stay a couple of weeks, it's not necessary to make this.

Matt · 13-08-2008, 08:52 PM

I "think" to us that means ICC and proof of insurance.

Frenchbruno · 13-08-2008, 09:16 PM

In fact in France it's not an obligation to insure a boat, if the autority check you they don't ask if you have an insurance. But, in case of people injuries it will be a serious problem, that's why a lot of pepole in France insure their boats. You have to know also that a few pepole navigate without insurance. If you have an insurance for you boat you also have to be sure that the area of navigation is covered .

simon · 13-08-2008, 10:25 PM

Hi, thanks for the info. guys...

mike k · 14-08-2008, 09:15 AM

Is it true that on the continent you now have to carry 2 spare wheels for the trailer ?

NIC SURRY · 14-08-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon

Hi, can anyone tell me what is the minimum legal requirement to drive a powerboat in France?

Hi I'm taking my boat(By trailer) to Southern Brittany on the last week of August(First Time I've ventured abroad) and French Bruno has been great in supplying me with info,Slipway locations,Tide Times, maps,RNLI -French equivalent phone number,Mercury Dealer phone number etc etc,You should have ICC and I would suggest insurance-my insurance company sent me an endorsment to confirm I was covered,other than that its just the normal safety stuff,I should have paid attention at school and learnt French-Hope this helps.Nic

Mark Wildey · 14-08-2008, 11:13 AM

I have been to France a few times and boarded by Customs, Police etc a few of those and the main thing they want to see is your ICC but having an insurance document would seem obvious as well.

Twice I haven't had my passport and they never seem worried by that.

Only other advice is take a courtesy flag as well.

Cheers

Mark

lain · 14-08-2008, 11:30 AM

What is an ICC?

mike k · 14-08-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lain

What is an ICC?

International Certificate of Competance

lain · 14-08-2008, 12:01 PM

Now you've got me wondering, even though I'm in guernsey i haven't gone to France in my boat (intend to). I don't know anyone who has one over here, hmmm?

But then again the channel islands aren't part of the EU

Julia D · 14-08-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lain

Now you've got me wondering, even though I'm in guernsey i haven't gone to France in my boat (intend to). I don't know anyone who has one over here, hmmm?

But then again the channel islands aren't part of the EU

Hi Iain

We do need them also in the Channel Islands ,

most ppl in Jersey all have taken ICC ...

lain · 14-08-2008, 04:57 PM

Thanks for the response, can you tell me what's involved in getting one?

Julia D · 14-08-2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lain

Thanks for the response, can you tell me what's involved in getting one?

Hi Iain

In jersey our courses are run at St Helier Yacht Club , you can do the ICC in your own vessel and also have the option to do the paper based exam for the Inland Waters certificate ..

I dont know if Guernsey Yacht Club offer the same if not then i am sure they will be able to point you in the right direction. If not then have a trip to Jersey and do it here

Julia

BluFin · 17-08-2008, 02:08 PM

fwiw eu national cant go in non eu boat within the eu huge section of legal twaffle on it.
Applies to ships, boats,aircraft, cars bicycles

NIC SURRY · 05-09-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike k

Is it true that on the continent you now have to carry 2 spare wheels for the trailer ?

I've just returned from a trip to France with the boat,although all the trailer tyres apeared Ok I had three tyres explode ripping off the mudguards and hit the last one off on the gatepost when I got home so well worth making sure your tyres are very good,Also we were quetioned by customs(when leaving UK) as to if we were carrying Flares(which we were)they were supposed to take them off us as clasified as explosives but as they were burried under Bkies/Tent etc they let us off(Not sure if we would have got them back)but probably worth denying you have any or make them accesible or secure.I was never asked for Insurance/CIC when in france but probably worth ensuring you have them.It was great using the boat when there-nice to be in clear/clean water as apposed to the merky/shirty water in Weston
Regards Nic