The state goes to fishing for “false skippers” who take themselves for real boats of boats

It is a practice that has always more or less existed. However, In small pleasure ports, the owners of boats have been offering their skipper services for a long time. Similarly, Someone who knows the corner. However, Someone who sails well. Furthermore, Someone who has not been content to have their boat license by performing three maneuvers in the port. Similarly, In short, someone able to take you to the water. Therefore, But is this captain legally authorized to transport you? Moreover, There, it is clearly less safe. Meanwhile, “The profession of sailor. Nevertheless, the commercial activity for the transport of passengers at sea are strictly supervised by the regulations, in order to ensure the safety of on board. Moreover, The skipper must be formed, qualified and at least holding the Captain 200 patent, ”recalls the prefecture of Finistère.

On the Breton tip as state goes fishing “false skippers” in all the departments open to the sea. Nevertheless, agents of the Departmental Directorate of Territories and the Sea promise that they will “strengthen controls” in order to track down these illegal rentals this summer.

Up to 45,000 euros fine – State goes fishing "false skippers"

The Saint-Malo prosecution had already looked into the phenomenon in 2024, pursuing several people suspected of concealed work. However, Several “false skippers” have received fines between 500 and 2,500 euros, specifies the prosecutor Fabrice Tremel. Meanwhile, But others will have to present themselves to the criminal court. Nevertheless, in particular to respond “irregular exercise of the function of ship commander”. Similarly, The offenders risk heavy criminal penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment. Similarly, 45,000 euros fine, as well as the confiscation of their ship, recalls the state.

But these sanctions don’t really seem to be scary. Moreover, Because in recent years, the number of announcements has exploded. Consequently, Between 2022 and 2024, state goes fishing “false skippers” the European rental leader between individuals, Click & Boat, noted a 68 % increase in the number of rentals navigated. Furthermore, “Last summer. Similarly, more than one in two rental was made with a skipper,” says Christopher Bertagnolio, one of Click & Boat officials.

The difficulty is to make the difference between the illegal rental of the services of a skipper. a “co-navigation”, an authorized practice of “cobaturation” resembling state goes fishing “false skippers” a blablacar. “It’s always a somewhat taboo subject. A boat is quite expensive for something that comes out two or three months a year. So everyone finds pads to make profitable, ”says Quentin *.

“There are blurring everywhere” – State goes fishing "false skippers"

This Finistérien offered his semi-rigid for rental in summer on specialized platforms. on sites like Le Bon Coin. A few years ago, he saw several people ask him if he could drive the boat, for an additional cost. “The first time, I did it like that, without declaring anything.” He then spent nearly 2. 000 euros and spent a month and a half in training to obtain his patent for aptitude for driving small ships (Bacpn). A diploma that authorizes him to transport up to 12 passengers. but never at more than 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the starting point. To go further, it is the famous Captain 200 that must be obtained. You state goes fishing “false skippers” can guess, a large pack of owners of boats prefers an illegal officer. “It is the world of nauticalism. There are blurring everywhere. We have former fishermen who have their captain 200 but who have never transported people. They are legally but not necessarily competent, ”says Emmanuel, based in Lesconil, in the South Finistère.

For this professional rental company, rental announcements between individuals are obviously unfair competition. The Breton does not complain about it and does state goes fishing “false skippers” it with it, but he warns. “The platforms are betting on this vagueness. They see it as the connection between individuals, a kind of carpooling, ”decrypts the PRO rental company. Accusations firmly refuted by the Click & Boat platform. The latter assures that she “scrupulously ensures that her advertisers are in the nails.

The platform requires professional rental companies to prove the existence of their business – Kbis, manager of the manager … -, but it’s up to them to make sure that their skippers are in good standing. As for the “co-navigation” system between individuals, it wants to be “strictly supervised”. On its dedicated page, the platform recalls that the principle “lies in the sharing of consumables and costs caused”. And specifies: “Participation should in no case constitute a remuneration for the skipper or the owner of the ship”. “It’s hypocrisy. We are not fooled. On their site, there is state goes fishing “false skippers” a calendar to book, prices depending on the season. This is not that, co-navigation, ”says a DDTM manager in Brittany.

State goes fishing "false skippers"

The boat license? “It’s anything”

Let’s be clear: few people will give their time to walk tourists without a remuneration. The famous participation in the costs being free, everyone can go from their price. “In general, I ask between 150 and 250 euros. It depends on the size of the boat, ”says Arthur. This young skipper based in the Var has offered his services for several years. To win a little more, he recognizes it. But also to monitor your boats and make sure they come back entirely. “We have people who just have a boat license and who do not know how to navigate!” This permit is anything, it prepares for anything ”.

Arthur also passed his Bacpn. in order to be able to train and ensure. He mentions it on his announcements even if he knows that individuals are not informed. And that most of them dab, seeing the advantageous price above all. “The problem is that people are not trained and that sometimes there are wrecks that are rented. It’s not good, it endangers security. A boat, we don’t even have to assure it! For me, it is up to the state to organize, ”regrets Emmanuel, the professional rental company in Finistère. At the Breton DDTM, we explain acting “against concealed work” but also “for the safety of goods and passengers”.

The situation on the Breton coastline also has much to do with the reality of the coasts of the Mediterranean. the Arcachon basin. In these sectors, state goes fishing “false skippers” supply and demand are much higher. And therefore more difficult to monitor.

* The first name has been changed