LES YACHTS DU CŒUR
“THE 12 ENGAGEMENTS OF THE RESPONSIBLE YACHT CAPTAIN”
(To be adopted on a voluntary basis – Last update: July 24, 2025)
Certificate of Commitment
SEAS QUALITY CHARTER IN FRENCH WATERS
Issued by Les Yachts du Cœur
In recognition of Captains committed to security, respect, environmental protection, and excellence in service.
SECTION I: SECURITY AT SEA
1. Get Informed Before Departure
I, the undersigned Responsible Yacht Captain, ensure I have up-to-date nautical charts and knowledge of bathymetry before departure. I consult weather forecasts and the maritime prefect’s regulations, identifying restricted or prohibited areas on my route.
2. Be properly equipped
I comply with all safety equipment regulations based on the navigation category (basic to offshore). For French-registered yachts under 24 meters, I follow Division 240 and refer to official safety charts. All equipment is checked for expiration or service dates.
3. Check your yacht
I never depart without full knowledge of the vessel’s Quality Charter and the international collision regulations (RIPAM). I verify seaworthiness, ensure EC marking on rentals, and check for any damage. When in France, I know the emergency CROSS contact number and all other emergency numbers elsewhere.
SECTION II: RESPECT FOR OTHERS AT SEA
4. Secure your passengers
I protect all passengers by ensuring no one is exposed on the front deck or vessel edges without lifelines. On rubber dinghies, all passengers are seated inside, never on the tubes if there are any.
5. Respect the legislation
I uphold safety distances and speed limits, avoid passing near fishing flags or diving signals, remain vigilant at all times, and refrain from consuming alcohol before or during navigation.
6. Before dropping anchor
I only anchor in areas where marine life (e.g. posidonia, cymodocea, mother-of-pearl) won’t be harmed. I consult DONIA, Natura 2000, and other sources to minimize seabed impact.
SECTION III: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT
7. Fish according to the rules in force
I fish only within daily personal consumption limits and verify species legality, size, and season via the Interregional Maritime Directorate. I avoid fishing during reproduction periods
8. Inform in case of anchor abandonment
If I abandon an anchor, I report it to the departmental fisheries committee, local diving associations, and the harbor master’s office. I respect regulations on the public maritime domain and do not anchor for over 7 days in the same spot.
9. Yacht at anchor
I never leave my yacht at anchor without supervision and intervention capability. I am aware of risks such as anchor dragging or grounding. I maintain proper lighting at night per RIPAM standards.
10. Good environmental actions
I do not discharge black, gray, or bilge water in ports or within 3 nautical miles. Beyond this, I discharge only if my yacht has a compliant system and is sailing over 4 knots. I adhere to eco-behaviors outlined by the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
SECTION IV: ONBOARD SERVICE EXCELLENCE
11. High Quality services
I commit to ensuring the wellbeing and training of crew members to deliver outstanding experiences through excellence, cleanliness, timeliness, and personalized guest care.
12. High Quality services control
I establish performance metrics, gather detailed guest and crew feedback, and monitor progress to continually enhance service standards.
❖ OFFICIAL RECOGNITION ❖
This certificate recognizes Captains who voluntarily embrace these 12 Engagements as part of a shared commitment to excellence, safety, and responsibility in yachting.
Certified by:
Les Yachts du Cœur
Seas Quality Charter Initiative
📅 Updated July 24, 2025
The Quality Charter for boaters
The drafting of a “Quality Charter for the Bay of Cannes” or “Seas Quality Charter” was a project carried out by the Town Hall of CANNES in partnership with the EM les Yachts du Coeur, ex ECO MER, association, an association of boaters and sea professionals who aspire to disseminate the right information both in terms of safety and in terms of environmental preservation.
The city wants this sea quality charter to reach a wide audience. The EM les Yachts du Coeur, ex ECO MER, association proposed to present the charter in the form of the “Ten Commandments of the Boater in the Bay of Cannes” and organized meetings open to the public to highlight the important points of this charter.
This quality charter aims to prepare for the future. It defines the rules to be observed in order to become a “benevolent and vigilant boater” explained Mr. David LISNARD, Mayor of CANNES, and Mr. Jean-Luc ANNONE, President of the EM les Yachts du Coeur, ex ECO MER, association, during the plenary meeting of the Extra-Municipal Sea and Coastal Commission on March 12, 2018 chaired by Ms. Catherine VOUILLON.
This charter was made official by Mr. David LISNARD, Mayor of CANNES, and Mr. Jean-Luc ANNONE, President of the EM les Yachts du Coeur, ex ECO MER, association, during a Yachts du Coeur event on April 14, 2018 at the Canto port in Cannes.
