What does this new 240 Division consist of?
This new regulation is not a revolution, as the first was, in 2004. Whereas in France we had navigation categories, we had to adapt to European standards and introduce ship design categories. It was therefore necessary to adapt the appropriate equipment.
After 10 years, regulations must evolve, become simpler and technical regulations must be consistent with emergency measures. The concept of skipper has been reviewed, in particular his responsibility. He is responsible for safety on board and for ensuring that everyone complies with safety standards.
The administration simplified it enormously, in the old division, a whole part concerned amateur construction or even boarding at sea. These are texts that are already present elsewhere and were not needed in Division 240. As a result, 60 to 70 articles have been removed and the text really simplifies reading.
Why did you change the old 240 Division?
In 10 years there were a lot of technical evolutions. Technology has improved (electronic charts...) and it was important to make the means of communication with the CROSS consistent with the boating areas of the boaters. It was necessary to review the habits of browsers and today, the materials that exist are safer and easier to use. The new text does not complicate matters, on the contrary.
In concrete terms, what changes need to be taken into account?
First, new navigation zones were created. Under the old regulations, offshore navigation applied from 6 miles from a shelter, here, mid-shore navigation applied from 6 miles from a shelter and offshore navigation from 60 miles from a shelter. The navigation zones are therefore defined as follows:
- Basic up to 2 miles, especially for unregistered boats;
- Coastal from 2 to 6 miles;
- Mid-shore from 6 to 60 miles;
- Offshore over 60 miles.
With these changes, the hardware requirement is different from what it existed before. For mid-shore navigation, fixed VHF on board becomes mandatory from 1 January 2010 er january 2017 for vessels sailing more than 6 miles. The portable VHF is linked to the range and only transmits between 6 and 15 miles (variable depending on the antenna, transmitter...). The use of VHF makes it possible to reduce intervention time and adapt emergency resources to demand, making everything easier to organise. In addition, the cost of these materials has fallen considerably.
To be able to use a VHF, you must either have a licence or hold the CRR (Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Certificate). In national waters, the permit is sufficient, but internationally, the RRC is mandatory. In any case, the permit can also be applied for in foreign countries, such as Croatia, where it is required to navigate on a leased vessel.
Another very important provision also concerns deep-sea navigation, although beyond 20 miles, the SNSM does not intervene, leaving room for air rescue. Over 60 miles away, vessels will therefore have to be equipped with a Cospas-Sarsat 406 MHz marine radio beacon. In offshore navigation, VHF is no longer really useful and the beacon is therefore imperative. Today, a lot of boaters already own them, it has become much more democratic. With a beacon, the emergency chain can locate you and know if you need assistance or a rescue. In parallel, a portable VHF is also mandatory since it is the only way to be able to communicate with the aircraft or helicopter that has come to rescue.
As a reminder, all these measures will take effect as of May 1, 2015, with the exception of the requirement for a fixed VHF, which will become mandatory in mid-shore staffing on January 1, 2017.
How are unlicensed mariners going to do that?
For people who sail, they will have to pass the CRR but the majority of club sailors pass their license. At the time, in 2011, 80% of people were licensed. After, neither the administration nor the SNSM are for the introduction of a licence because navigation is learned through a long apprenticeship, in family, or by practicing for a while. Some people who have just passed the licence are more dangerous than others, who do not have it, but have been sailing for years.
