Modular training
Governing: arrêté of 20 Aug 2015 (capitaine 200 yacht), annexes II–III as updated 29 Aug 2016; arrêté of 10 Aug 2015 (sea service); arrêté of 4 Sep 2025. Builds on: L2.1.
How French training works
France builds its titles from modules taught by approved providers. Each module has its own assessment, run by the centre, and a pass earns an attestation. Once you hold the modules, the sea service and the STCW support certificates, you apply to the administration for the brevet.
Two practical consequences:
- You cannot self-study for a national exam and walk in to sit it. You enrol, attend and are assessed by the centre.
- Courses are taught and assessed in French. Some centres market English support, but the assessments you will meet are French-language.
The module yacht
Every motor-yacht deck title in L2.1 needs the module yacht. Annexe II of the arrêté of 20 Aug 2015 sets 76 hours of teaching.
| Part | Hours | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Base | 32 | Yacht manoeuvres 8 h (Med mooring, thrusters); bridge and communications 6 h (NMEA, gyro and satellite compasses, satcom); machinery and auxiliaries 10 h (drives, chillers, watermakers, black and grey water under MARPOL, load shedding); yard periods 4 h; English for yachting 4 h |
| Specific | 44 | The yachting world 8 h (brokers, flags); cruising areas 6 h plus 2 h practical (Côte d'Azur, Corsica, Sardinia, Balearics, Aegean, Caribbean, GRIB files); running the cruise 8 h (provisioning, hotel service, discretion, jet skis); management 20 h (crewing, MLC, port State control, taxation, customs, Division 242, charter contracts, cash box, tips) |
Check the arithmetic: 8 + 6 + 10 + 4 + 4 = 32; 8 + 8 + 8 + 20 = 44 (the cruising areas' 6 h plus 2 h practical make 8); 32 + 44 = 76.
How it is assessed
- One written paper of 1h15 for each part.
- A final oral of 30 minutes, weighted coefficient 2.
- Pass mark 10/20; a mark of 0 in any test is eliminatory.
With assessment included, the module runs to about 79 hours. Added to the 342-hour diplôme de capitaine 200, that gives the 421 hours usually quoted for the C200 yacht. The module never expires, and it can also be obtained through VAE (validation des acquis de l'expérience, recognition of prior experience).
TIP — the oral decides it With coefficient 2, the oral carries as much weight as both written papers together. Candidates who know their Division 242 and their charter contract but cannot explain them aloud, in French, under questioning, fall short. See Module Yacht prep.
Sea service
Sea service is counted under the arrêté of 10 Aug 2015. Keep a clean record:
- discharge book entries or the owner's attestations, with dates, vessel, GT and capacity;
- service on yachts counts when it is in the capacity the title requires.
The arrêté of 4 Sep 2025 shortened sea service for candidates from a maritime bac pro (vocational diploma) aiming at the C200, C200 yacht, C200 voile or Mécanicien 750 kW. For the C200 yacht, that is 6 months after the diploma, or after the matelot pont certificate, instead of 12.
CAUTION — foreign sea service Service on foreign-flag yachts can count, but the evidence must satisfy the DIRM. Get testimonials signed by the master at the time, not three years later.
Summary
French yacht titles are assembled from approved modules. The module yacht (32 h base + 44 h specific) is assessed on site by two 1h15 papers and a 30-minute oral with coefficient 2. Sea service is proven under the arrêté of 10 Aug 2015.