WHAT DO I NEED FOR FRENCH CANALS?
Information extracted from yachting and boating world – ybw.com
Not all stretches of canal in France are owned by the VNF (Voies Navigables de France). Those that aren’t don’t need vignettes (VNF boat licences). But remember that skippers navigating British flagged boats on any part of the French inland waters are still required to hold an international Certificate of Competence (ICC) with the inland endorsement.
They must also have a copy of the CEVNI rules on board. The RYA ‘Book of Euroregs for Inland Waters’ by Marian Martin – available from the PBO Bookshop ill be accepted by the French.
When you enter the inland waters system at St Valery sur Somme, the river is non-VNF until you reach the Canal du Nord, which is VNF controlled. There’s a VNF office at St Quentin (2 Avenue Leo-Legrange – 02100, tel: +33 (0) 3 23 62 60 21), which you could visit when you’re in the canals to buy your vignette; alternatively you can apply n advance by post.
When applying for a vignette, you need the following:
The payment for the type of vignette you want. There are different types for single day use, 16 days’ continuous use, 30 days use and annual use. Costs also vary according to the cross sectional area of the boat (see later point). If applying - by post, a cheque should be sent and must be made out in Euros.
The name and address of the boat owner, plus the name of the boat and its draught.
The ‘length and width outside the entire hull’. That’s because the VNF categorise boats by their cross sectional areas.
The registration number of the boat (SSR number, or send a photocopy of your SSR registration card).
The type of card required – Single Day, Holiday (16 consecutive days), Leisure (30 days – not necessarily consecutive), or Yearly. If applying for a Holiday or Single day card, the dates that the card must be valid for must also be stated.
A stamped addressed envelope.
A photocopy of your ICC
The RYA’s Cruising Division has a full list of current prices for all types of vignette and addresses for the various VNF regional offices if you wish to apply in advance by post – tel: 023 8062 7461 or e-mail cruising@rya.org.uk. FAQ’s on ‘Going Foreign’ can be found on the RYA website at www.rya.org.uk under ‘Cruising’.