Navigation title, carte de circulation and acte de francisation

There are several types of navigation titles for pleasure boating, which depend on the navigation zones and the type of boat

Maritime domain

Carte de circulation in maritime waters

Formerly a blue card document, since going digital this navigation title comes in A4 format, which you receive by email

Acte de francisation

Formerly an orange multi-page document, the new formats have been simplified

Inland waterway domain

Carte de circulation in inland waters

Concerns vessels up to 20 metres

Formerly a card document, now digital, it comes in A4 format, a document now received by email

Which navigation title for which navigation or type of vessel

Maritime waters carte de circulation

• Motor boats and sailing boats sailing at sea and occasionally in inland waters
• PWC (personal watercraft) such as jet skis, sea scooters and sea motorbikes, with a power of less than 90 kW, sailing at sea and in inland waters
• Between 2.5 m and 7 m in length, AND under 22 administrative horsepower (DIN), which corresponds to approximately 210 / 220 HP (not to be confused with the fiscal power of engines)

Carte de circulation in inland waters

• Motor boats and sailing boats, between 5 and 20 metres in length, and with a displacement of less than 100 m3. A vessel's displacement is the product of its length, its width and its draught)
• All vessels under 5 m in length but with a propulsive power of 4.5 kW or more.
• Below these criteria, registering a vessel is not compulsory.
• WARNING: registration in inland waters does not grant authorisation to sail in maritime waters!

Acte de Francisation

• For all PWC, jet skis, sea motorbikes and sea scooters with a power above 90 kW
• For all motor boats and sailing boats over 7 metres OR with an administrative power of 22 fiscal horsepower or more.
• All vessels wishing to sail in international waters must be registered under the French flag (francisé), except under specific European agreements; you must find out about the navigation zones you will cross before your departure.

"Navigation card", the wrong name

A navigation chart is a paper chart (or digital, which can be coupled with a GPS positioning system), used to locate oneself in a geographical area. This document is compulsory on board a pleasure boat, as specified in Division 240, which regulates the compulsory equipment to carry on board any pleasure vessel under 24 metres.