Boat Permits in France

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Boat Permits in France

Permits are not required for sailing boats or boats with a motor less powerful than 6CV in sea waters. (Note that many of the craft generically known as "Jet-Skis" exceed this, and thus need a permit.) If you have a registered permit from another country, this should be sufficient - you do not need one that is specifically French. However, you may find you need an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) to charter a boat (see below). 

The Three Permit Categories:

• La Carte Mer: for a boat with a motor from 6CV to 50CV. A permit for daytime sailing within a 9Km range of the coast, awarded after taking a theory course and practical lessons, and passing a test.
• Le Permis Mer Côtier: for boats with motors 50CV and up. The permit allows night sailing, but within a limited range from the coast, and is awarded after a course and test.
• Le Permis Mer Hauturier: This is gained through a full boating course at a boat school, and licenses one for all forms of boating.

The International Certificate of Competence (ICC)

The skippers of British Registered boats – motor or sail – do not require an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) when sailing in French coastal waters. If you are planning to use the French canals and rivers, the boat's skipper must have an ICC certificate valid for Inland Waters (having passed the CEVNI exam). However, if you are planning to charter or use a French registered boat, you may need an ICC.

UK nationals and residents can take a course for the ICC at Royal Yachting Association (RYA) recognised sea schools and training centres. The ICC can also be awarded on production of an appropriate RYA certificate.

ICC forms are available from the RYA in the United Kingdom, via the Website, or from RYA recognised sea schools that test for the ICC. The application form must be completed and submitted with a passport photograph and copies of practical course completion certificates if applicable. An ICC is valid for 5 years.

Jet Ski Permit: A one day RYA course catering specifically to obtaining a licence for these craft is available, it's the Personal Watercraft Certificate of Proficiency (PWC). This certificate comes with an official RYA translation which explains the course content, translations in  French, German, Spanish and Italian.

The ICC is recognised by France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Holland, Germany and Denmark.

• Comprehensive information is available on the RYA Website

Inland Boating

If you are planning to use the French canals and rivers, the skipper must have an ICC certificate and the Code Européen des Voies de la Navigation Intérieure (CEVNI) permit and navigation rulebook. The CEVNI test can be taken at RYA recognised training schools.

Any person planning to charter a boat (sea- or river-going) should request from the charter company details in writing of the certification they require, what cruising area this is acceptable for and whether this certification meets the requirements of the relevant authorities in the area concerned. 

• More information from the Voies Navigables de France (VNF) Website (in English) 

Thanks to Phil Godwin of Oceanpro powerboat training for information contributed.
For further information Tel: 04 93 53 65 95 or e-mail