Checks before the start of the Route du Rhum
The start of the Route du Rhum, like all major offshore races, attracts crowds on the water. The 2018 edition, the 40th anniversary of the event, will certainly not deviate from the rule. When everyone wants to be part of it, some boaters take advantage of the situation and rent their boats on Internet platforms by offering their skipper services. In the absence of captain's qualifications and weapons permits, this is an offence. The Saint-Malo Public Prosecutor's Office wanted to act upstream and launched checks on private individuals on the basis of the advertisements available on specialised websites.
Reminder of maritime law
In a press release, Ronan Le Clerc, deputy prosecutor in charge of maritime litigation at the Saint-Malo Public Prosecutor's Office, recalls the law. "Many private individuals are increasingly offering to rent their boats with their services for a fee. This practice is contrary to the rules not only of labour law but also of maritime law".
About ten offences
The investigation by the Saint-Malo Public Prosecutor's Office has borne fruit. Indeed, about ten offences were found. In this preventive framework, offenders will only be subject to a reminder of the law before the court on October 29. They would theoretically face a large fine. Convictions for this type of offence have already been handed down this year by the Quimper court, as we mentioned on BoatIndustry.com .
