Offshore navigation with no distance limit
Offshore Boat License
The offshore extension of the Permis plaisance allows you to navigate at sea with no distance limit from the coast (beyond the 6 nautical miles allowed by the coastal option). It is essential for long ocean crossings, offshore sailing or international voyages. It is obtained as an add-on to the coastal license (sea option), which you must already hold. The official syllabus, defined by the Affaires maritimes of the Ministère de la Mer, covers nautical charts, celestial navigation with sextant, weather routing (BMS, GRIB), international rules (COLREG) and offshore safety. The exam, exclusively theoretical, is taken at an approved centre under supervision of the Maritime Affairs Directorate.
The essentials
The offshore boat license is the mandatory extension of the coastal license, enabling unlimited navigation with no distance limit from the coast (beyond the 6 nautical miles allowed by the coastal option). Training is theory only (20-30h: charts, sextant, RIPAM/COLREG, weather, GPS). The coastal license remains a strict pre-requisite before taking the offshore boat license. Exclusively theoretical exam supervised by the Maritime Affairs Directorate.
Pricing and rates for Offshore Boat License
The price of the offshore boat license (mandatory extension of the coastal license already held) ranges from €850 to €1,100 depending on the centre and the formula (intensive in person, weekends, e-learning + revision). The offshore license fee includes advanced theoretical training: SHOM cartography, celestial navigation with sextant, offshore weather, RIPAM/COLREG, learning materials, mock exam and presentation to the official exam before the Maritime Affairs Directorate. No exam fee or additional tax stamp since the offshore mention is added to the existing coastal license. The combined cost coastal + offshore boat license remains competitive (€1,500 to €1,950) compared to a direct course, for unlimited navigation with no distance limit.
Intensive training
The offshore boat license is a mandatory extension of the coastal license: there is no direct route, the coastal license remains a strict prerequisite. Theoretical training lasts 20 to 30 hours, delivered in person (1 to 2 intensive weeks), spread over 4 to 6 weekends, or via e-learning with revision classes. Offshore navigation content covers advanced SHOM cartography, celestial navigation with sextant, offshore weather routing (BMS, GRIB, fronts), international COLREG/RIPAM rules and high-seas safety (life raft, 406 MHz EPIRB, SARSAT beacon). The offshore license exam is exclusively theoretical: 3 hours of MCQ and chart work, with no at-sea practical test.
Manual vs automatic
The coastal license authorises navigation up to 6 nautical miles from a shelter, about 11 km from the coast: enough for coastal cruising and shore-side outings. The offshore boat license removes this limit: it enables unlimited navigation with no distance limit from the coast, day and night, on the high seas and internationally. In practice, without the offshore license you cannot cross the Channel to England, sail between Corsica and the mainland, or deliver a yacht from the Mediterranean to the Balearics. The offshore license is therefore indispensable as soon as you plan offshore passages, long-distance deliveries or chartering at sea (operators almost always require it beyond 6 nautical miles).
How it works
01
Celestial navigation
Using stars and the sun for positioning, sextant, calculation tables.
02
Advanced electronic navigation
GPS, radar, AIS, weather GRIB, routing software.
03
Offshore exam
Specific written test on offshore competencies.
What's included
- Celestial navigation training (sextant, HO 249 tables, astro fixes)
- Advanced SHOM cartography and dead reckoning
- Offshore marine weather: BMS, GRIB, fronts, depressions, trade winds
- International regulations (COLREG/RIPAM, IALA buoyage)
- Theoretical exam at an Affaires maritimes approved centre
Prerequisites
- Hold the coastal boat license (sea option) for at least a few months
- Have regular coastal navigation experience (recommended: >50 nautical miles logged)
- No upper age limit, no mandatory medical check
Frequently asked questions
Must I have the coastal license before the offshore?
Yes, the offshore extension cannot be obtained without the coastal license. It complements it, it does not replace it. The coastal license is itself mandatory beyond 2 nautical miles from a shelter for any motorboat over 6 hp. See the official Permis plaisance fact sheet for the full breakdown of privileges.
Is the offshore license recognised internationally?
Yes, the French offshore license is recognised by most countries under international navigation agreements (UN-ECE Resolution 40). The ICC (International Certificate of Competence) can be issued additionally by Affaires maritimes to facilitate navigation in third countries (Croatia, Greece, Turkey). In some countries, local validation or an additional license is still required depending on the area visited.
How long does it take to get the offshore license after the coastal?
Offshore training typically lasts 1 to 2 weeks of intensive study or 4 to 6 weekends. Allow 1 to 3 additional months after obtaining the coastal license, depending on your learning pace and course availability. Some centres offer an intensive coastal+offshore programme over 3 weeks for candidates already familiar with sailing.
What specific skills does the offshore exam assess?
The exam is purely theoretical: celestial navigation with sextant (sun and star fixes), use of SHOM charts, offshore weather routing, IALA region A signalling (Europe), COLREG rules of the road, high-seas safety (life raft, EPIRB, SARSAT beacon), Affaires maritimes regulations. No practical at-sea test.
What safety equipment is mandatory beyond coastal limits?
Division 240 of the Ministère de la Mer defines mandatory equipment by navigation zone: beyond 6 nautical miles from a shelter (offshore+) you need an approved life raft, 406 MHz EPIRB, distress flares, marine VHF, auto-inflating life jackets, harnesses. The full list is available on the Affaires maritimes website.
Is there a practical exam for the offshore license?
No, unlike the coastal license which includes a practical at-sea test, the offshore exam is exclusively theoretical. Candidates are assessed on cartography, tide calculations and celestial navigation in an exam room. Practical mastery is then built through onboard experience.
Does the offshore license allow me to charter any boat?
The offshore license allows you to operate any motorboat over 6 hp with no distance limit from the coast. For sailing yachts, no license is mandatory, but charter operators almost always require the offshore license for offshore charters. For boats over 24 metres, a professional certificate (Captain 200, Captain 500) is required.
How much does the coastal-to-offshore upgrade cost?
The cost of offshore training alone (on top of the already obtained coastal license) ranges from €850 to €1,100 depending on the centre and format (in-person classes, weekends, e-learning + revisions). Includes course materials, mock exam and registration for the official exam. No additional exam fee or stamp duty.
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