#TECM2536361AFrance updates safety rules for certain vessels operating near shore
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This order updates France’s vessel safety rules by adding a new navigation category for ships operating within 10 nautical miles of the nearest land or protected waters such as lagoons and coral reefs. It also sets minimum safety equipment rules for certain vessels that may be exempted from some decked-vessel requirements. Operators of affected vessels will still need to carry core safety gear, including flotation reserves, fire extinguishers, life rafts, life jackets, distress signals, VHF radio equipment, radar reflectors, emergency beacons, medical supplies, and other onboard safety tools. Vessels approved for single-person operation must also ensure the sailor continuously wears a man-overboard device, and personal locator beacons must meet specific technical standards.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Creates a new “4th category bis” for navigation within 10 nautical miles of land or certain protected waters.
- Lists minimum safety equipment that must remain onboard even when exemptions are granted.
- Requires single-person vessel operations to use a continuously worn man-overboard device and sets standards for personal locator beacons.
Obligations
What this law requires
Vessels operated in 4th category bis or 3rd category that are exempted from decked-vessel requirements must still have flotation reserves verified in accordance with article 227-2.06.
Vessels operated in 4th category bis or 3rd category and equipped with a fixed engine must carry an approved water-ingress alarm in the engine compartment and approved fixed fire-extinguishing equipment for the engine compartment.
Vessels operated in 4th category bis or 3rd category must have cut-off switches on each outboard propulsion engine and carry two approved 2 kg powder fire extinguishers.
Vessels operated in 4th category bis or 3rd category must carry an approved life raft compliant with division 311 or 333, one approved life jacket per person, and one lifebuoy with an approved automatic light device.
Vessels operated in 4th category bis or 3rd category must carry three approved red parachute flares, two approved floating smoke signals, an approved sound-signalling device, and an approved radar reflector.