France Unveils New Labour Law Rules

The French maritime affairs department has recently published guidance on planned changes to the country's labour laws which would apply to commercial vessels under 650gt that operate between French ports.

If the rules are applied to yachts operating in French waters, owners and management would be required to complete a "declaration of activity" and to provide evidence of compliance with social security agreements; give seafarers details to French labour inspection offices; and to translate all employment documents into French.

There are approximately 4,500 yachts operating in the Mediterranean in 2016 and owners and managers of commercial yachts need to be mindful of the potential ramifications of the proposed new laws

Michael Howorth, Nautilus Telegraph