Sibbing French Coastal Waters

[jonathandorey]

Can anyone confirm with appropriate sources what insurance, documentation etc. I need to take my Honwave 3.8m in order to use it in French coastal waters. I intend to use it with a 15hp Honda outboard around southern Brittany.

The following sites seem to indicate that no ICC is required:

Regulations and Licences needed for cruising in France
Sailing Licences and Boat Permits in France - AngloINFO French Riviera, in the Côte d'Azur (France)
ICC and French Coastal Waters The final answer!!

I appreciate it may be sensible for me to undertake a PBL2 and therefore gain an ICC at some point. However, at the moment I'm just wondering what the legal position is.

If I register my Honwave on the SSR - do I even technically need insurance? Again, I appreciate that having insurance would be very sensible - but from a purely legal point of view.

I have done quite a lot of searching online and have come up with a whole load of conflicting answers! I have an old 2 stroke Yamaha 9.9 (now 15 - with a 9.9 hood) which may be easier to take as it seems that it would definitely be outside of all regulations.

Many Thanks

Jonathan

[A1an]

Cue the Pikey.....

[Pikey Dave]

I'll reply tomorrow when the leffe, Brewdog & montepulciano has worn off😡
Rule 1 applies

.....sh1t happens.......

[Pikey Dave]

Okey Dokey, here I am, fresh as a daisy.

First port of call RYA This is general info regarding foreign use.
Here is specific info regarding France This is also important: Registration

When you've ploughed your way through that lot, here's what it boils down to. France is full of French & everyone is a bureaucrat If you are out of the way, chances are you will be left alone. If you frequent busy areas, chances are you will cross swords with at least 1 of the French maritime agencies & there are lots of 'em Navy (spotty 12 year olds with guns), Douane (customs, fat men with guns) Affaire Maritime (sort of fisheries protection with guns, who have a chip because they really wanted to be Gendarmes but failed the entry test), Gendarme Maritime (marine police with guns) Do you see the theme We've been boarded several times in the 20odd years we've been going out there, the first time I nearly sh4t meself (Douane, fat men with guns) We had no paper work, no flag, couldn't prove that we were a British registered vessel ('cos we weren't), so they made us go back inshore & stay within the 5 mile limit that applies to small French boats. I came home, joined the RYA, got a bollocking off the then cruising secretary who then spent time helping me get things in order. So here's what I take:-

ICC, not actually required in France but it doesn't hurt.
Insurance, make sure it covers you in France.
SSR, absolutely necessary along with a red ensign, it keeps the French away.
Radio/OFCOM paperwork if VHF etc fitted.
Short Range VHF/DSC Cert.
Original purchase invoice for boat, trailer, electronics showing VAT paid.
Passports.
I don't carry flares, if you do, they MUST be in date. Carrying out of date flares in France is punishable with a fine.

Enjoy, it really is a great country

[John Kennett]

Good advice. As has been said there is no legal requirement for an ICC, but my French is nowhere near good enough to argue the toss with an armed Douane.

[jonathandorey]

Thanks so much for that. Will definitely make sure I'm on the SSR and have insurance then. If I have time I'll try and get my PBL2 done.

[mick]

I've been a few years ago with the sib to the Carnac area just had it insured an icc and PB2 never had any questions or hassle

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by mick

I've been a few years ago with the sib to the Carnac area just had it insured an icc and PB2 never had any questions or hassle

Exactly!...that's because You don't look like an obviously Dodgey Geezer!...plundering all the Sealife and patently up to no good!...
and have a BAD attitude!!..... like "some" Yorkshiremen on here!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Maximus

Exactly!...that's because You don't look like an obviously Dodgey Geezer!...plundering all the Sealife and obviously up to no good!...and have a BAD attitude!!..... like "some" Yorkshiremen on here!

Oi! My attitude is your problem😎


.....sh1t happens.......

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Oi! My attitude is your problem��


.....sh1t happens.......

...How could you possibly think I meant your Good Self!??
You're attitude never gave me problems Dave!

[jonathandorey]

Just reading through this whilst applying for the SSR and insurance etc. Couple of questions - is there a correct/minimum size etc for the red ensign? How do I fly this on my inflatable? - Can I just tie it onto the side? Also Pikey Dave - I notice you mentioned something about the 5 mile limit - I definitely won't be going outside this limit - but was wondering what it meant? Many Thanks

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jonathandorey

Just reading through this whilst applying for the SSR and insurance etc. Couple of questions - is there a correct/minimum size etc for the red ensign? How do I fly this on my inflatable? - Can I just tie it onto the side? Also Pikey Dave - I notice you mentioned something about the 5 mile limit - I definitely won't be going outside this limit - but was wondering what it meant? Many Thanks

The French have different rules for various categories of French boats. Basically a small boat without a cabin is restricted to around 5 miles from shelter. Roughly speaking this means that most ribs & all Sibs are limited to going no further than 5 miles off shore. This doesn't apply to non-French vessels as long as you can prove that you're not French I.e British registered. Re-red ensign, a 3/4 yard seems to do the trick.


.....sh1t happens.......

[gotchiguy]

Zodiac do a really neat flag pole useful for SIBs where there is a pad glued to the tube that you then screw the flag pole into when you need it and tighten with a nut.

[Robert31]

Black powder and roundshot.

[piotr]

With an engine > 6,1hp you need "ICC Inland & Coastal waters" in France.

This does not apply for boats that are less then 5m AND do less than 20km/h.

[piotr]

With an engine > 6,1hp you need "ICC Inland & Coastal waters" in France.

This does not apply for boats that are less then 5m AND do less than 20km/h.

Edit: the rules of the country of origin apply. I'm Dutch and I need ICC II (coastal waters) at sea. I don't know what the rules in the UK are.

[Tom]

You have to be a member of the RYA to access their information on France now.

From reading this thread do I take it for a RIB of less than 5 metres doing less than 20km/h I don't need an ICC. I don't need anything other than insurance? I can just put the boat in the water and enjoy myself

[Pikey Dave]

For France, you don't need an ICC at all.


.....sh1t happens.......

[piotr]

You need an ICC on coastal waters for a RIB with an engine over 4.5KW (or 6,1hp).

The 5m/< 20kmh rule is for inland waters.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by piotr

You need an ICC on coastal waters for a RIB with an engine over 4.5KW (or 6,1hp).



The 5m/< 20kmh rule is for inland waters.

Are you sure about that?


.....sh1t happens.......