Legal framework
Governing: Division 240, chapter 3 (art. 240-3.01 to 3.03) and annexe 240-A.6, as amended on 11 Oct 2024 and 21 May 2026. Applies to: every rental or loan of a pleasure boat or jet ski on a French-flag craft.
The declaration
Before signing a rental contract, the hirer fills in and signs a declaration on the model in annexe 240-A.6. The rental company countersigns it and must check that what you wrote is accurate (art. 240-3.02). It records:
| Section | What goes in |
|---|---|
| Rental company | Company name and address |
| Hirer | Name, address, licence type and number, country that issued it |
| Boat or jet ski | Registration number |
| Additional driver | Yes / No; if yes, the annex is completed for each one |
| Validity | Start date and end date (since the arrêté of 21 May 2026) |
| Commercial clauses | Optional section for the company's own terms |
The declaration opens with a reminder that helming a motor boat or jet ski requires a licence, and the hirer undertakes on their honour to respect the chef de bord's duties, the equipment rules and the licence requirement.
WARNING — the extra driver The form says in terms that nobody else may helm unless listed as an additional driver. Swapping the helm to an unlisted friend is outside the declaration, and outside most insurance.
One copy stays with you and must be shown to inspectors at any time. The other is kept by the company. The ministry's stated purpose is to link the craft to its user of the moment, for rescue and inspection.
The boat's paperwork
Rental boats undergo an annual special inspection (vérification spéciale) under the owner's responsibility. A copy of the latest report is annexed to the rental contract and carried aboard boats with accommodation. You may ask to see the inspection register before you embark (art. 240-3.01).
The notice on the wall
The rental premises must display a visible, legible diagram of the local rules: beach buoyage, the access lane, prohibited zones and permitted speed. Where the boats need a licence, and for all jet skis, it must also say "permis bateau obligatoire" in French and at least two other languages (art. 240-3.02). If the diagram is missing, ask for it. It is the quickest chart of the first 300 m you will get.
The kit you should see
For a boat within 2 nm of a shelter, the basic kit (art. 240-2.03) includes:
- a buoyancy aid of at least level 50 per person, and level 100 for children of 30 kg or less;
- a waterproof light (6 hours), a fire extinguisher, a bailer or pump where the boat is not self-draining;
- a towing point and line, and an anchor line suited to the boat and area;
- tide information (not required in the Mediterranean).
Rental motor boats over 4.5 kW and sailing boats over 250 kg going beyond 2 nm also carry electronic positioning, a VHF and written instructions for bilge pumping, fire-fighting and abandoning ship (art. 240-3.03).
Your own briefing checklist
The law does not script the handover, so run your own:
- Where is the kill-cord, and where is the spare?
- Which lane do I use to leave and return, and what is the permitted area in the contract?
- How much fuel, and what is the refuelling rule?
- How does the VHF work, and what is the base's phone number?
- Where are the lifejackets, the anchor and the extinguisher?
TIP — photograph the boat Photograph the hull, props and any damage before leaving, with the time visible. It settles most deposit arguments (L2.2).