European Committee for Professional Yachting (ECPY) has clarified the cruising regulations for yachts in France following conflicting reports in the media.

ECPY said it had been in regular contact with the relevant authorities concerning maritime navigation and safety and all ports to remain updated on what yachts can and can’t do as COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

It stated that regulations concerning merchant ships applies to yachts, in terms of navigation (orders of the maritime prefect and CROSSMED), maritime safety (flag rules and equivalence of classification by the port state) or rules for access to ports (health declaration).

The texts, decrees and orders recently published by the authorities and which specifically concern pleasure boats are therefore not applicable to yachts.

Yachts stationed in France, regardless of their flag or their registration (private or commercial) can sail, with or without a client on board, in French and international waters from France, and anchor according to the ordinary rules.

Yachts remain subject to sanitary rules of COVID-19 and to the general rules of ports, navigation and anchorage, namely:

• Arrival of passengers at the port, subject to the 100km rules from their homes
• Authorisations to enter and leave ports, where appropriate if required, with the health control certificate
• Compliance with declarations, authorisations and mooring time limits issued by semaphores or CROSSMED
• Forbidden to go to (and return from) foreign ports

In a statement, ECPY said, “We would like to remind you of the environmental and societal commitment of the professional yachting associations (ECPY, MYBA, PYA, LYBRA, etc.) to no longer anchor in the protected areas. Also, the sanitary measures on board, which are the responsibility of the shipowner and the captain, must take into account all the preventive measures and protection of shared spaces (passengers and crew).

“ECPY is issuing this communication to put an end to rumours and inaccurate interpretations which penalise the resumption of professional yachting activities. Please be advised that we continue to be in contact with the authorities in order to inform you of the regulations.”

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