On Buying And Sailing Boats in Europe

If you are planning on buying and taking your precious boat out into the European seas, you might want to check first if it bears the CE marking. Short for ConformitEuropenne, CE is the official marking required of all products being sold in the European market, boats included. This certifies that the product has met the set safety and environmental standards before being put out in the market. Typically, CE is referred to as the passport to the European market.

In the case of boats, aside from the CE marking, it has to also be inspected by the Recreational Craft Directive. This body certifies if a watercraft is sail-worthy and has met various safety regulations concerning various aspects such as the emission of the exhaust gas as well as the noise of the mechanisms.

So, why the need for all these markings and inspections? Although at first glance everything might seem to be time-consuming, it is actually for your own safety and peace of mind, too. A CE marking not just certifies that a boat can travel in European waters, it also lets you know that it can withstand high waters. After all, you would not want to be caught with a boat that’s falling apart while you are in the middle of the Atlantic Sea?

Getting the boat CE marking as well as the approval of the Recreational Craft Directive, however, can be quite expensive. More often than not, you would have to re-build or reconstruct your boat if it does not adhere with set standards. There is no easy way out of this as it is your and your companion’s safety that is at risk.

If you would want to have your own boat CE marking, you should get in touch with various providers online. They can help you through the process of securing the markings. These providers could check your boat and see what needs to be done in order to conform to the standards for getting the CE marking.

Although there are many providers online, make sure that you do not fall prey to boat CE marking provider who are not really aware of the process. In the long run, you might find yourself having to spend more than what’s necessary.