Fake Skippers: A Growing Danger on French Coasts

The popularity of summer boating on the French coast has unfortunately attracted unscrupulous individuals. These individuals pose as professional skippers, posting attractive ads on platforms like Click & Boat or Leboncoin, and taking passengers on board without official contracts or recognized qualifications.

This often results in illegal activity, exposing clients to real risks.

A Worrying Increase from Finistère to the Mediterranean

On July 21, 2025, the Maritime Prefecture of the Atlantic (Finistère) issued an official alert after identifying several illegal offers published on online platforms. A similar situation was observed a month earlier in Saint-Malo, where the DDTM of Ille-et-Vilaine and the public prosecutor’s office initiated proceedings for illegal command and undeclared work.

In the Mediterranean, a control campaign was launched in the spring to stop illegal practices before the peak season.

Behind these tempting offers often lie serious violations: skippers without licenses, vessels not registered for commercial use, and absent or vague contracts. All of this is often masked by attractive prices and well-crafted communication.

What the Law Says:

Renting a boat with a skipper is perfectly legal… provided everything is in order. The Prefecture of Corsica-du-Sud reminds the public of the following in a published statement:

• Hiring a skipper is optional, never mandatory.
• The captain must be independent of the lessor and offer a separate contract for their services.
• They must provide a maritime record book and hold the Capitaine 200 license, a mandatory professional qualification (you can demand to see it).
• Rental is for the entire vessel, never per person.
• As the renter, you remain in control of the itinerary and schedule, within the limits set by safety regulations.
• Violators face up to 3 years in prison, a €45,000 fine, confiscation of the vessel, and prosecution for undeclared work or deceptive business practices.

How to Spot a Fake Skipper?

• Abnormally low prices, including navigation.
• No clear contract for the skipper’s services.
• No proof of the Capitaine 200 license.
• Vague or absent boat registration (especially the absence of NUC – Commercial Use Vessel status).
• Communication only via private messaging, without legal framework.

Authorities recommend favoring declared professional channels or, at a minimum, systematically requesting supporting documents before confirming a rental.

Warning Signs to Heed

• Prices that are too low with a skipper included
• Absence of a separate contract for navigation services
• No proof of license or maritime record book
• Vague announcement about the vessel’s registration (NUC mandatory for commercial use)

Safe Sailing: Best Practices

To sail safely, it is best to take some precautions. With the rise of summer boating, the risks are not only legal: they are also meteorological and human. Before any outing:

• Adapt your route to the weather, and do not hesitate to postpone your departure if conditions deteriorate.
• Check the safety equipment on board: up-to-date logbook, life jackets in sufficient numbers and adapted to all passengers, including children.

In case of problems, contact emergency services:

CROSS: 196 (free call)

VHF: channel 16

On the surface, offers from individuals may seem attractive. But an improvised cruise with a phantom skipper can quickly turn into a nightmare. Before boarding, demand proof. And keep in mind that safety at sea always begins on land.

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