Cruising Through the French Waterways

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by alibye

Hi is it true that the larger yacht with a deep keel might have trouble grounding as the canals are not all getting dredged regular,5ft 6" max???

Nope... a deep keel yacht will have 'no trouble at all grounding' in the French canals... if you've more than 5ft draft your pushing your luck in the Northern sectors...

[Southern Star]

For non-residents of ECM countries, how does one obtain an ICC Certificate of Competence and write the CEVNI? If it has to be done in France, are the exams only available in French? Regardless, are there study booklets available?

In addition, in past I had understood that the maximum total stay in the ECM for non-residents was 12 months (and less than 6 months in any one country) prior to the need to import the boat and pay VAT - was I misinformed, or is that something which has changed?


Brad

[SabreKai]

Oh Well, I guess I'm stuck going the long way round from England to the Med. I was thinking on the canals, It would be a hell of a trip but Sabre Dance draws 6'9" or 2.06 meters. Having already spoken to the designer it is possible to saw some off the keel and 26cm sure doesn't seem like a lot of material to cut off. One more thing to look at this summer during the refit.

Sabre

[Connemara]

Don't want to miss Biscay, do you Sabre?

Connemara

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by SabreKai

Oh Well, I guess I'm stuck going the long way round from England to the Med. Sabre

Yes but the cruising area you are going through is just fabulous so don't rush. Whilst the Bay of Biscay has a reputation, closer inshore to the NE is Frances premier cruising grounds and offshore islands. Don't just sail past any part of France, Spain or Portugal.

Gulf of Morbihan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Belle Ile en Mer France Travel Information, Places to Visit and hotels near Belle Ile, Brittany


Pete

[goboatingnow]

For non-residents of ECM countries, how does one obtain an ICC Certificate of Competence and write the CEVNI? If it has to be done in France, are the exams only available in French? Regardless, are there study booklets available?

In addition, in past I had understood that the maximum total stay in the ECM for non-residents was 12 months (and less than 6 months in any one country) prior to the need to import the boat and pay VAT - was I misinformed, or is that something which has changed?


Brad

The RYA will shortly ( Early Feb) begin holding exams and issuing ICC;s to non nationals whoses countries do not issue ICCs. I dont know the exact details. Other ICC issuing countries will no doubt do teh same as the rules were modified for all. Presumably it means a visit to such a country.


Temporay Import Relief was raised from 12 months to 18 months ( actually with a further 6 month extension on agreement to 24 months) some years ago. Note this ONLY applies to the boat, you the owner, must not be a EU tax resident and in Schengen countries ( ie all of the EU except UK and ireland) you are only allowed to stay a total of 90 days in 180 totalled accross all countries visited. SO the boat can stay for nearly two years the crew gets 3 months!.

PS the term ECM, or European Common Market is long gone, the correct name is the European Union ( since the Mastricht act in 1993)!

Dave

[Grehan]

The situation is as I noted in a previous post here, and see my page on the subject at Regulations and Licences | Cruising the French waterways, canals and rivers by boat .
The RYA has recently announced that it has received approval to test and qualify non-UK residents, in the UK, in English (provided those examined are not residents of a country itself able to test and issue the ICC/CEVNI).
Tam and Di Murrell are a very experienced English couple, able to instruct and test ICC/CEVNI in France - see Barge Handling

[Grehan]

For an overview of VAT and some related tax issues relating to boating, see VAT, Boats and the E.U. | Cruising the French waterways, canals and rivers by boat

[Grehan]

For information about potential routes through (not around!) France, see
Canal and River Routes Through France | Cruising the French waterways, canals and rivers by boat
For information about depths, widths, etc., see
Waterway Depths, Heights and Widths | Cruising the French waterways, canals and rivers by boat

[Southern Star]

Thanks Dave. Just so that I have it clear, when you say 90 days out of 180 does that mean out of each 6 months you can spend up to 90 days in any one country? So, for example, it one were to cruise the French canals you would need to spend less than 9o days, but then could go to Spain, Portugal, Italy etc. for several months and return to France for another 90 (keeping in mind the 18 month total maximum)?

Brad

[goboatingnow]

Thanks Dave. Just so that I have it clear, when you say 90 days out of 180 does that mean out of each 6 months you can spend up to 90 days in any one country? So, for example, it one were to cruise the French canals you would need to spend less than 9o days, but then could go to Spain, Portugal, Italy etc. for several months and return to France for another 90 (keeping in mind the 18 month total maximum)?

No unfortunately, For countries within the Schengen area, its 90 days cumaltive accross all countries out of 180, so if you spend 90 days in france, you must leave the schengen area ( which includes spain, portugal, iltaly) for another 90 days before returning to the Schengen area.

Dave

[Pete7]

Brad, if your looking to break your time in Europe then Egypt from a month onwards will be superb. No I haven't lost my marbles, they will have a quick revolt, install someone new in power and then be keen to get back their tourist industry, a major income generator for them. So lots of bargin holidays and prices because few will be willing to travel there. Potentially you could have a pyramid to yourself to walk around and rather impressive they are too.

Pete

[swagman]

Hi,
If anyone wishes to learn the CEVNI regs its easy enough to do that on line today. Go to RYA Interactive where you can practice the test as often as you like and then when you feel confident, you can approach any of the approved schools (again on line) pay them and get access to do the test (on-line) and print off your certificate.
We've had to go through this process as we've just sold our longer range sailing / cruiser and bought a coastal / river power boat so we can begin to explore the canals and rivers of Europe from later this year.
Once we start we'll keep our own blog updated with detail of what it's like for 'newbie' river cruisers.
Cheers
JOHN

[goboatingnow]

Yes but the cevni rules themselves are not sufficient you need an ICC as well

Dave

[swagman]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Yes but the cevni rules themselves are not sufficient you need an ICC as well

Dave

Correct. This bit you sadly cannot do on line - you send your CEVNI certificate to the RYA by snail mail and they then update your ICC - and post a new one back.
JOHN