Red Tape and Boating Licence

[Old Frenchie]

Yes, France does not require any kind of licence to sail a boat but this has nothing to do with your citizenship but the the flag of the boat e.g. in which country the boat is registered, actually France. What if the boat flag is a Red Ensign and you are a French citizen hence never had any kind of ICC or RYA and not looking for having any ? May you skip a Red Ensign boat internationally and what about liability insurance?

[goboatingnow]

Theres a few interesting points raised here

(a) Many people refer to the country of registration as determining what paperwork should be carried.This is only true on the high seas and within the country of registrations territorial watersOutside of that , specifically within a nations territorial waters, any rules can be applied under the laws of that land, including seeking from you paperwork, that you cant actually acquire.

Hence whil UK sailors require no paperwork to sail the high seas or in their own waters, it is quite within Croatias right to demand you have a cert of competency, in order to sail their waters. However most governments practice comity which mean the recognize each others laws and dont try and repudiate them, but it isn't all persuasive.

Registration of a leisure boat conveys little, it , merely confirms the vessels origin, ie its home state. Local laws may target the skipper ( the person in charge) rathe then the vessel, may purely target the vessel, ( ie French safety laws) or a combination of both ( croatia)

No country soley demands the ICC as the only cert in regards competency. This only applies to open water, on european canals the ICC is specifically required ( or the relevant National Cert , like the French Permis Plasiance.

Note that contary to what was said , a french boat fitted with an engine greater 4.7Kw ( 6,5 Hp) is regarded as a motor boat and licenses are required.

The Op doesnt specifically need an ICC, any cert will do.

Dave

[Old Frenchie]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Note that contary to what was said , a french boat fitted with an engine greater 4.7Kw ( 6,5 Hp) is regarded as a motor boat and licenses are required.

The Op doesnt specifically need an ICC, any cert will do.

Dave

Thanks Dave for your response.

Please kindly note that your last comment only applies to power boats and not to sailing boats. The rule for sailing boat is somehow more sophisticated. If you understand French please visit permis de navigation carte mer permis hauturier formalits voilier

[Eric50]

Hi everybody,

I'd like to had this about certification:
As a skipper, some countries are actually asking ICC or other evidence of skills (Croatia, Portugal) when you want to locally rent / charter a boat from one of their rent a boat companies, but I do not think they can have the same requirement when you enter their waters with your own boat under your own country's flag ?

If you are with your own boat, let's say french flag for example, you are not supposed to have any license to sail it as per the french regulation and provide your boat is legally considered as a sailboat and not a motorboat as per the same regulation.