> Written statement of Compliance-Leisure boats

Pleasure boats are subject to technical regulations. In addition, they are subject to listing or registration. A boat’s compliance with these regulations is certified by a navigation certificate, issued by the competent territorial Monitoring Commission.

There are two different procedures for identifying a boat:

Listing:

This relates to pleasure boats that:

• have an engine with an actual output equal to or greater than 4.5 KW (6 hp) or which are longer than 5 metres.
• or have a displacement of less than 10 m3.

An number is assigned by the monitoring commission. It is shown on the pleasure boat’s international certificate which also includes information concerning the boat’s navigation certificate. This certificate specifies the owner’s name, first name and address, and the boat’s registration number preceded by the initial letters of the town where the monitoring commission has its office.

It also shows the boat’s category, “N”, or “C” or “S” depending on its characteristics and engine capacity rating.

Registration:

Boats with a displacement over 10 m3 must be registered. Registration consists of the inclusion of the boat in a special register kept in a registry located in the premises of the Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Dijon, Nantes, Nevers, Nancy, Paris and Strasbourg monitoring commissions.

It also lets you find out details of the real ownership of the boat.

Non-motorized craft such as rowing boats, canoes, kayaks and pedal boats are neither subject to listing nor registration.

In all cases, please consult the competent authorities.