Regulatory framework for pleasure craft registration

In France, the registration of pleasure craft navigating at sea or on inland waterways (rivers, canals and lakes) is governed by Division 240 regulations.

Vessel registration is processed by the Directions Départementales des Territoires et de la Mer (DDTM), while francisation—the administrative procedure authorising a vessel to fly the French flag—is carried out by the french customs authorities.

The registration of pleasure craft enables the administration to verify compliance with applicable regulations. It also allows maritime rescue services to identify vessels in distress, thereby enhancing safety at sea.

What does a vessel registration number correspond to?

A vessel’s registration number is its official entry on the national register. It provides access to a set of essential information, including:

• The vessel’s name
• Design characteristics, year and place of construction (shipyard)
• Principal dimensions (length and beam)
• Full identity and address of the owner
• Port of registration
• Registration record number

Whether new or pre-owned, both sailing yachts and motor boats must be registered. In principle, the purchaser is responsible for completing the registration formalities. However, where the seller is a professional and with the buyer’s consent, this process may be handled by the seller.

Upon completion, the owner receives a navigation certificate (carte de circulation), which includes the vessel’s registration number. This identifier consists of the initials of the issuing authority followed by six alphanumeric characters.

Unless there is a change of ownership details (e.g. address) or a substantial modification to the vessel (such as re-engining), the navigation certificate remains valid indefinitely.

Obligations relating to the navigation certificate and marking

The navigation certificate must be kept on board at all times, whether the vessel is in port or underway.

The registration number indicated on the certificate must also be displayed inside the vessel, clearly visible from the cockpit or the main helm station (e.g. chart table).

In addition, all registered craft—including personal watercraft (PWC) and tenders—must display their registration number externally on the hull:

• Sailing yachts: on the bow
• Motor boats: on both sides of the hull or superstructure

A personal watercraft (PWC) is defined as a craft under 5 metres in hull length, propelled primarily by an internal combustion engine driving a jet pump.

Technical specifications for registration lettering

The marking and lettering of pleasure craft are strictly regulated, in particular under the Ministerial Order of 17 March 2021 and the Order of 8 April 2009 relating to identification marks.

Registration markings must:

• Use Arabic numerals and Latin characters
• Be clearly legible
• Present a high contrast with the hull (light on dark or dark on light)

For motor boats, lettering must be in uppercase. No such requirement applies to sailing yachts.

Note: the dimensions specified below are minimum requirements. Owners may opt for larger markings.

Lettering standards for registration – Sailing yachts

Internal marking

For internal marking on sailing yachts, the character height must be 1 cm, with a stroke thickness of 0.1 cm.

Where the character height exceeds 1 cm, the stroke thickness must be equal to one-tenth of that height

External marking

The registration marking for sailing yachts must be displayed on the stern (transom). It consists of the vessel’s name and the name or initials of the registration authority.

Its dimensions must comply with the following requirements:

• Sailing yachts under 7 metres: no mandatory requirements
• Sailing yachts between 7 and 12 metres: characters must be 4 cm in height, with a width of 1.5 cm and a stroke thickness of 0.5 cm
• Sailing yachts over 12 metres in hull length: characters must be 7 cm in height, with a width of 3 cm and a stroke thickness of 0.8 cm

If the design of the sailing yacht does not allow the external registration marking to be displayed in the prescribed locations, it must be placed in any other clearly visible position on the vessel.The registration of a tender (auxiliary craft) must be identical to that of its parent vessel, preceded by the prefix “AXE”.

Lettering standards for registration – Motor boats

Internal marking

• For internal marking on motor boats, the character height must be 1 cm, with a stroke thickness of 0.1 cm.
• Where the character height exceeds 1 cm, the stroke thickness must be equal to one-tenth of that height.

External marking

The registration marking (in uppercase letters) must be displayed on both sides of the hull or superstructure.

Size requirements:

• Boats between 2.5 m and 7 m
  Characters must be 4 cm high, 1.5 cm wide, with a stroke thickness of 0.5 cm.
  For larger lettering, width = 50% of height and stroke = 10% of height.
• Boats between 7 m and 12 m
  Characters must be 7 cm high, 3 cm wide, with a stroke thickness of 0.8 cm.
  For larger lettering, width = 50% of height and stroke = 10% of height.
• Boats over 12 m
  Characters must be 12 cm high, 5 cm wide, with a stroke thickness of 1.5 cm.
  For larger lettering (above 18 cm), width = 50% of height and stroke = 10% of height.

 

Main standards for registration lettering

Marking location

• Seagoing vessels: the registration number must be displayed at the stern or on both sides of the transom, clearly visible.

Inland vessels: the identifier must be visible on both sides of the hull towards the bow.

Lettering characteristics

• Colour: must contrast with the hull (black on a light hull, white on a dark hull).
• Typeface: standard uppercase Latin letters, without serifs (simple fonts such as Arial or Helvetica).

Minimum size:

• Minimum size:
  • Height:
    • 3 cm for vessels under 7 m
    • 7 cm for vessels between 7 m and 12 m
    • 10 cm for vessels over 12 m
  • Stroke thickness: proportionate to height and clearly legible.
  • Spacing: sufficient spacing between letters and numbers.

 

Registration number format

The format depends on the type of navigation.

Example for seagoing vessels registered in France:
Format: FR-XXXXXX or NI-XXXX (e.g. AC12345)

The code may indicate the registration district (AC = Arcachon, TL = Toulon, etc.).

For inland vessels, the identifier is often an ENI number or a specific inland registration number.

Additional mandatory markings

• Vessel name (if applicable): displayed on the hull
• Home port: mandatory on the stern, written in full and clearly legible

Specific cases: PWCs, kayaks and paddleboards

For beach craft and small motorised watercraft, identification may be affixed via a sticker or permanent marking. Minimum dimensions may vary depending on the craft category and usage.

Regulatory applicability

The provisions of Division 240 apply to all pleasure craft registered from 1 June 2009 onwards.

Vessels registered prior to this date remain subject to the previous regulatory framework. However, owners may voluntarily adopt the current standards to ensure alignment with contemporary compliance requirements.