Scope and quotation
Vessel type, dimensions, location, purpose of the assignment and any additional checks are agreed before the inspection.
Accredited inspection bodyDecision of 1 June 2026
Inland waterway and maritime surveyor, based in Dijon.
Pre-purchase surveys, insurance valuations, ultrasonic hull gauging and statutory inspections. Services across France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, with a detailed illustrated report — an English-language report available.
Independent surveysISO 9712 ultrasonic testingEnglish-language reports available
300+vessels surveyed
48 hfor your quote
24 categoriesof vessels covered by the accreditation
Valid to 2031ministerial accreditation
Services
One answer for every situation — and a single point of contact, from quote to report.
You're buying a boat
The pre-purchase survey examines everything — hull, engine, systems, safety, running tests. You commit with full knowledge, and negotiate on facts.
You want to know where your hull stands
The hull measured point by point by an ISO 9712 certified operator, every reading mapped in the report.
You're insuring, selling, or claiming after damage
Valuations for taking out or renewing your policies, condition statements and post-casualty surveys, recognised by insurers.
Your navigation certificate is due
Dry-dock and in-water inspections for the issue or renewal of a certificate, against the ES-TRIN standard, working directly with your administration.
Your systems need inspecting
Verification of on-board systems — electrical distribution, domestic gas — with an inspection report.
You are carrying out or accepting works
Interim inspection, technical monitoring, follow-up survey and verification of completed works, with precise findings and an illustrated report.
Fields of work
- Ultrasonic hull gauging — thickness mapping
- Structure and underwater-body inspection
- Valves, through-hull fittings and hull outlets
- Shaft line, propeller and steering gear
- Engine and auxiliaries — with running tests
- 12 V and 230 V electrical systems
- Domestic gas systems
- Plumbing, heating and bilge systems
- Safety equipment
- Sea trial
- Oil analyses — engine, gearbox, generator
- Video inspection of tanks
- Market and insurance valuations
- Post-casualty surveys
- Certificate inspections — dry dock and afloat
- Technical assistance and works supervision
The practice surveys every vessel on the waterways — barges and self-propelled vessels, recreational craft, houseboats, floating establishments, working and passenger vessels — from six to eighty metres.
Measurement before opinion
Every hull is sounded on a hand-chalked grid. The readings are mapped in the report: you know precisely where your boat stands, and what to plan for.
A clear assignment
How the survey is carried out
The scope is agreed before the visit, and every stage is documented so you know exactly what was inspected and why.
Technical inspection
Dry and/or afloat inspection, measurements, system tests and photographic findings, in accordance with the agreed scope.
Analysis and discussion
Significant defects and urgent points are explained clearly, without waiting for the final report when immediate action is needed.
Illustrated report
Findings, measurements, conclusions and recommendations are brought together in a practical document. English-language reports are available.
An accredited inspection body
By ministerial decision of 1 June 2026, the practice is accredited by the French Ministry of Transport to assess the compliance of floating structures in inland navigation, with Aurélien Régent appointed signatory expert. The accreditation has two levels.
Full certification
For recreational craft of 20 metres and over, houseboats and private floating establishments, worksite and service craft, floating equipment, fishing vessels and passenger vessels up to twelve passengers: the practice carries out issue, renewal and provisional certificates.
Provisional certificates across the whole fleet
For all other floating structures — up to large category 3 commercial vessels, tankers and container vessels included — the practice issues provisional certificates.
View the detailed regulatory table — all 24 categories of the decision
| Floating structures | Initial issueor major conversion | Certificaterenewal | Provisionalcertificate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | |||
| a) Cargo vessels ≤ 110 m — no dangerous goods, no cargo tanks | – | – | ✕ |
| b) Recreational craft ≥ 20 m, or with L × B × draught ≥ 100 m³ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| c) Worksite craft | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| d) Service vessels | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| e) Floating establishments for private use | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| f) Fishing vessels without lifting gear | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| g) Passenger vessels — up to 12 passengers | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Category 2 | |||
| a) Passenger vessels — 13 to 75 passengers in zone 2, or 13 to 150 in zones 3, 4 and R | – | – | ✕ |
| b) Floating equipment and service floating equipment | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| c) Fishing vessels with lifting gear | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| d) Floating establishments open to the public — up to 300 people | – | – | ✕ |
| e) Container vessels ≤ 110 m — no dangerous goods | – | – | ✕ |
| f) Tankers ≤ 110 m — no dangerous goods | – | – | ✕ |
| g) Ships under an inland navigation certificate (art. L. 4220-1) ≤ 24 m | – | – | ✕ |
| Category 3 | |||
| a) Passenger vessels in zone 1, > 75 passengers in zone 2, or > 150 passengers in other zones | – | – | ✕ |
| b) Self-propelled vessels > 110 m, new or undergoing major conversion | – | – | ✕ |
| c) Vessels subject to mandatory classification-society involvement (dangerous goods) | – | – | ✕ |
| d) Pushers, tugs and powered units of dangerous-goods convoys | – | – | ✕ |
| e) Floating establishments open to the public — more than 300 people | – | – | ✕ |
| f) Vessels capable of exceeding 40 km/h through the water | – | – | ✕ |
| g) Ships under an inland navigation certificate (art. L. 4220-1) > 24 m | – | – | ✕ |
| h) Self-propelled vessels > 110 m — no dangerous goods | – | – | ✕ |
| i) Tankers > 110 m — no dangerous goods | – | – | ✕ |
| Other | |||
| Floating establishments not requiring a DPMC — under 12 passengers or under 20 m | ✕ | – | ✕ |
✕ covered by the accreditation · – outside the scope
This scope only concerns the certification of navigation titles. Survey work — valuation, damage, pre-purchase — applies to any vessel, without restriction. Decision NOR: TRAT2609740S, valid until 30 June 2031.
Accreditation and qualifications
French Ministry of TransportAccredited inspection body — decision of 1 June 2026, NOR: TRAT2609740S, valid until 30 June 2031.
ISO 9712 — Non-destructive testingCertified operator for ultrasonic thickness measurement.
Electrical work authorisationSafe work on on-board electrical systems.
CFEMF · CEEMFContinuing education at the maritime and inland waterway surveying centre; member of the surveyors' chamber.
About the practice
Founded by Aurélien Régent, Cabinet RG Conseil puts hands-on technical expertise at the service of inland navigation, from the heart of the Rhône-Saône network. More than three hundred vessels inspected: liveaboard barges, recreational craft, floating establishments and working vessels — for private owners, shipyards, insurers and public bodies.
Engineering of technical systems, non-destructive testing, inland navigation regulations: these skills combine to examine a vessel as a whole and deliver a clear, well-argued diagnosis to support your decision.
Ministerial accreditation · ISO 9712 certification (ultrasonic testing) · Electrical work authorisation · Continuing education, CFEMF · Member of the CEEMF
Technical equipment
The practice works with its own calibrated measurement and inspection instruments:
- Ultrasonic thickness gauges — Krautkrämer DM5E · Tritex Multigauge 5650, multi‑echo through coatings
- Inspection videoscope, 16 m — tanks, lockers, hard‑to‑reach structures
- Electrical testing — 1,000 V insulation, RCDs, AC/DC clamp meter
- CO and gas‑leak detectors — engine rooms, gas systems
- Hull potential, Ag/AgCl probe — cathodic‑protection assessment
- Laboratory oil analyses — engine, gearbox, cooling
France and Europe
Service area
Based in Longvic, at the gates of Dijon, the practice sits at the junction of the Saône, the Burgundy canal and the Rhône–Rhine canal — the heart of a single, continuous European waterway network.
Assignments cover the whole of France, as well as Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. No area limits: travelling is part of the job.
FranceBelgiumNetherlandsGermany
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
Does my boat need a navigation certificate?
A certificate is required in particular for recreational craft of 20 metres and over — or whose length × beam × draught reaches 100 m³ — as well as for commercial vessels and floating establishments. Below these thresholds, other requirements apply. If in doubt, the practice analyses your situation and tells you precisely which regime applies.
What is an accredited inspection body?
The technical assessment of vessel compliance is entrusted to inspection bodies accredited by the ministry in charge of transport. This regime, created by decree no. 2025‑50 of 15 January 2025, came into force on 1 July 2025; since 1 July 2026, accreditation has been mandatory. The body carries out the inspections and draws up the assessment report; the competent authority then issues the navigation certificate.
Dry-dock or in-water inspection: what is the difference?
Out of the water, the underwater body is examined — bottom, plating, rudder, propeller, through-hull fittings — and thicknesses are measured. In the water, the vessel is checked in service: systems, equipment, running tests. Depending on the procedure, one, the other or both are needed; the quote sets out the exact programme.
What does ultrasonic gauging involve?
It measures, without dismantling anything, the residual thickness of the plating at numerous points. The readings are mapped: the map shows the condition of the hull, locates wear and lets you anticipate work.
Why have a boat surveyed before buying it?
A survey reveals the true condition of the hull and systems, the work to plan for and any non-compliances. It is a negotiating argument and a protection — for the buyer, the seller and the insurer.
How much does a survey cost?
The cost depends on the service, the size of the vessel, its location and the associated checks. Every enquiry receives a free, detailed, no-obligation quote, usually within 48 hours.
Regulations & useful links
The official resources for your procedures — and someone to help you find your way around.
French Ministry of Transport ↗Inland navigation policy: vessels, certificates, safety.
CESNI — ES-TRIN standard ↗The European committee publishing ES-TRIN, the technical standard for inspections.
Voies navigables de France ↗The network operator: vignettes, notices to skippers, navigation conditions.
Decree no. 2025-50 — Légifrance ↗The founding text of inspection by accredited bodies (15 January 2025).
Your project
Contact and quotation
Describe your vessel and your requirements. You will receive a clear reply and a detailed, no-obligation quotation, usually within 48 hours.
- Vessel type, length and year
- Location and dry-dock or lifting arrangements
- Required service and proposed timetable
- Seller, yard or marina contact details where relevant
21 allée de la Michaudière, 21600 Longvic, France · Monday to Friday, 8 am – 6 pm · weekends on request.
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