Periodic surveys of the yacht

All yacht under commercial operation (NUC in French) are required to undergo a periodic survey (VP in French) by the Ship Safety Center (CSN in French). The purpose of this survey is to verify that the vessel is maintained in good seaworthy condition and meets applicable regulatory requirements.

Periodic survey of a RIF yacht

For yachts registered in the RIF, these VPs are carried out by the ship safety surveyor (ISN) of the RIF’s office.

The operator (or his representative) must contact the inspector in charge of monitoring the yacht at least 1 month before the expiry date of the navigation license (PN). If the VP takes place abroad, the ISN’s travel expenses are borne by the shipowner.

Before the periodic survey or at the latest on the date of this survey, the following steps must have been taken:

• renewal of class certificate and freeboard certificate (for classed vessels);
• Periodic inspection of safety equipment (fire extinguishers, fixed fire extinguishers, firefighting equipment, immersion suits, rafts, etc.);
• water analysis and issue of sanitary exemption certificate ;
• verification of medical supplies by a pharmacy;
• visit to the National Frequencies Agency (Agence nationale des fréquences in French (ANFR)).

The VP involves appropriate tests and checks, which only the ISN of the RIF office is in a position to decide. Under normal circumstances, these visits consist of two parts:

• documentary inspection ;
• inspection and testing of on-board equipment.

After the periodic survey

A report is drawn up for each safety survey, and sent to the operator within a few days of the ISN’s visit. This report includes the following sections:

• inspections carried out ;
• observations ;
• any prescriptions with deadlines for implementation;
• conclusion.

Note: it is important to note that, in the absence of a written message from the operator or his representative (e.g. the captain), prescriptions are deemed to have been fulfilled within the set deadlines.

Note: it is important to note that, in the absence of a written message from the operator or his representative (e.g. the captain), prescriptions are deemed to have been fulfilled within the set deadlines.

A navigation license is issued or renewed, provided that the survey commission is satisfied.

The vessel must always be in possession of a valid PN and administrative license (PA).

• Please note that the validity of the PN cannot exceed that of the classification certificate and the freeboard certificate.

As of January 1, 2022, owners of vessels less than 24 meters in length, which have undergone a VP with a favorable conclusion, will be issued a PN with no time limit.