The exact classification of our products under Division 240 is that of a Powered Nautical Board (PNB) with a power output of less than 4,500 W. As such, it can be operated without a boat license, from the minimum age of 12, in compliance with current regulations.
FRENCH POWERBOATING FEDERATION
TECHNICAL AND SAFETY RULES FOR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Version approved by the Steering Committee on 30/03/2025
Definition of a PNB:
A PNB is considered to be a nautical board less than 2.50m in size, equipped with an electric or thermal engine, with or without a foil, allowing autonomous propulsion without direct human intervention, capable of navigating solely through the engine's power, controlled by an accelerator trigger or any other control device. The PNB falls under the regulations applicable to motorized nautical craft and is subject to maritime safety requirements, particularly regarding mandatory equipment depending on the navigation area. The management and regulation of these craft fall under the responsibility of the French Powerboating Federation.
Electrically assisted nautical boards, considered beach craft, are excluded from these rules.
• The PNB must be equipped with a physical or electronic kill switch.
• Mandatory equipment to date: either a buoyancy aid with a performance level of at least 50, or, if worn, a neoprene wetsuit or drysuit, and an individual lighting device with an autonomy of at least 6 hours (D240).
• In addition, the Federation recommends wearing a helmet, and simultaneously wearing a buoyancy aid and a shorty or neoprene suit -
Electrically Assisted Nautical Board (EANB):
Definition: An EANB is a board whose electric motor only supplements the user's effort, for example, to facilitate paddling and access to the wave's starting point (the peak), without allowing autonomous and continuous propulsion. Its primary source of movement remains human action, waves, or wind. EANBs are not considered motorized craft under Division 240 and remain classified as beach craft. They are under the responsibility of the French Surfing Federation.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
These technical and safety rules are issued by the French Powerboating Federation in application of articles L. 131-16 - L. 131-17 of the Sports Code.
They apply to all supervised or educational activities, as defined in article 1, organized on French territory by any organizer, whether or not affiliated with the delegated federation. These rules can under no circumstances be applied to the organization of competitive training, competitions, or any other form of competitive activity. For these forms of practice, reference should be made to the Technical and Safety Rules of the corresponding discipline. The technical and safety rules for supervision define common provisions for the organization of the activity. The age of practice and the type of equipment used are specific to the discipline concerned.
ARTICLE 1: DEFINITION
Supervised motor nautical board discovery sessions are organized as teaching slots during which instructors offer participants various pedagogical situations in reference to disciplines related to electric or thermal jet surf and electric foil (Efoil).
The objective is to learn how to control the craft, safety rules, and navigation instructions.
Learning is supervised by an instructor holding the Professional Qualification Certificate for Assistant Motorboat Instructor (CQP AMM) or the Professional Patent for Youth, Popular Education and Sport, "Powerboating" specialization (BPJEPS MDA), in accordance with article L. 212-1 of the Sports Code.
ARTICLE 2: SPORT DISCOVERY ACTIVITIES
To introduce participants to PNB activities, "sport discovery activities" and supervised educational situations may be organized according to the following provisions:
• Participants must be at least 12 years old to practice motor nautical boarding.
• Participants must wear the equipment prescribed in Division 240 and defined in Article 7.
• Activities must be organized in dedicated areas.
• Night navigation is prohibited.
ARTICLE 3: EDUCATIONAL SITES
Educational sessions can take place in different operating areas:
3.1 - Navigation zones. Maritime activities take place exclusively in an area located between 300 meters and 2 nautical miles from a shelter, in accordance with current regulations.
3.2 - Defined operating zones. Practice sites must define operating zones, including a map of the area and proposed routes, which must be available and displayed in the organizing establishment.
ARTICLE 4: SUPERVISION
Educational sessions are supervised by a qualified instructor holding the certifications required under Article 1. Each instructor can supervise a maximum of 4 participants simultaneously.
One-on-one instruction, an instructor on one board with a participant on another board, can take place within a zone ranging from 300 meters to 600 meters from a shelter.
The instructor must be identifiable by a specific vest marked "VNM Instructor or PNB Instructor" and, in addition to the mandatory equipment, must have a means of communication.
Beyond 1 participant in the water at the same time: a safety boat or a VNM approved for the number of participants plus its crew is required to pick up participants in case of a problem. Speed limited: Navigation in a channel must not exceed 5 knots.
• Channel entry/exit: Entry and exit maneuvers in the channel must be performed in a prone or kneeling position.
• Increased vigilance: Maintain constant vigilance towards swimmers and other users of the body of water to ensure everyone's safety.
• Priority rules: Strictly apply priority rules and nautical navigation to ensure safe and responsible traffic.
• Prohibited areas: PNBs are prohibited in surfing or swimming areas.
• PNB identification: Each PNB must be equipped with an identifier allowing its owner (natural or legal person) to be found if necessary.
• In inland waters, local regulations are priority and must be respected.
• Supervised PNBs must be equipped with a propeller guard and a kill switch to minimize the risk of injury in case of accidental contact with the propulsion area.
• Learning PNBs must be equipped with a jet propulsion pump or a propeller guard, and a kill switch to minimize the risk of injury in case of accidental contact with the propulsion area.
ARTICLE 5: NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS
The number of participants in simultaneous activity is limited to 4 per instructor, if the safety boat's boarding capacity allows it.
ARTICLE 6: AGE AND PRACTICE CONDITIONS
• From 12 years old: access to educational sessions under strict supervision.
ARTICLE 7: MANDATORY EQUIPMENT
All participants must mandatorily wear, in addition to Division 240:
• An approved helmet suitable for the activity.
• A full wetsuit or a suitable shorty.
• A 50N life jacket.
• An individual lighting device compliant with simplified equipment rules.
ARTICLE 8: MANDATORY BRIEFING
Before each session, a briefing is given by the instructor. This briefing includes:
• Presentation of the route and navigation rules.
• Safety and conduct instructions.
• Familiarization with the equipment and explanation of safety features.
ARTICLE 9: DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS
Any establishment wishing to organize these activities must have:
• The instructor's professional card.
• Proof of their affiliation with the establishment.
• A map detailing the operating areas, the buoyage plan (channels, swimming areas, surfing areas...), and navigation hazards (shoals, rock formations).
ARTICLE 10: SPECIFICITIES
Precautions for CE certified lithium batteries: particular vigilance is required regarding the charging, storage, and exposure of lithium batteries to prevent any danger, namely:
• Avoid interaction with water.
• Storage between 15°C and 25°C in well-ventilated areas, away from heat sources and combustible materials.
• Do not expose them to direct sunlight.
• Do not recharge batteries unattended.
• Have a suitable extinguisher.
• For handling and charging batteries, please refer to the manufacturer's documentation.
• For any handling of craft with an onboard electrical source, it is mandatory to refer to standard NF C 18-550, which governs safety and the prevention of electrical risk.
These technical and safety rules are established to ensure safety.
