By Yasmine EDDAM
23 April 2025
Owning and operating a boat on French waterways, whether for transporting goods, receiving passengers or even for stationary activities, is more than just knowing how to manoeuvre. A dense set of regulations governs the commissioning of boats and the qualifications of those authorised to drive them. Sailing without the appropriate documents can result in severe penalties, and the owner or driver may be held liable in the event of an incident. This article details the main licences, certificates and qualifications required for river boats and their crews in France, to help you understand the essential rules you need to know in order to navigate properly. The boat's "navigation permit": ensuring its technical compliance Before you even think about who will be at the helm, the boat itself must be administratively in order and technically fit to sail. This means obtaining...
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