Financing the SNSM
On Wednesday, June 19, 2019, Communist Deputy Sébastien Jumel tabled a bill - a pleasurable contribution - to finance the activities of the National Sea Rescue Society.
The association, which is recognized as a public utility, relies on a network of 8,000 volunteers based in 200 stations. More than 70% of its funding comes from private donations and 30% from public subsidies, the SNSM faces recurring financial difficulties to complete its annual budget of 32 million euros.
It is based on a" report to the Prime Minister on the sustainability of the National Sea Rescue Society model" dating from July 2016 that the member for Seine-Maritime bases his reasoning. Indeed, 80% of the people rescued at sea are boaters.
"The purpose of this bill is to establish a pleasure-rescue contribution, progressive according to the size and power of boats and nautical devices, financed by users of nautical leisure activities. This contribution will make it possible to broaden the base of SNSM's resources, increase them and make users more responsible for risks at sea and for the provision of the necessary resources for rescue at sea."
Thus, boaters would be taxed according to the length of their boat:
- Less than 7 m : 5 euros
- From 7 to 10 m : 10 euros
- From 10 to 12 m : 15 euros
- From 12 to 15 m: 20 euros
- From 15 m and more: 30 euros
Two obligations
This proposed law imposes two counterparts. As a first step, boaters - owners of a pleasure boat or nautical device - will have to take out an insurance policy. "This obligation of insurance responds to issues of public policy and also ensures equality in the application of the other provisions of this article" we can read in the draft law.
The mandatory and progressive yachting and rescue tax will then be levied on each yachting insurance contract. This tax should generate income of more than ?5 million per year.
In 2017, an amendment had planned to tax yacht owners to finance the association, but only a few thousand euros had been collected.
A controversial decision
This announcement has provoked various reactions, both at the political level and in the yachting world. While some agree with the idea, others find it too restrictive to apply it only to boaters and would like to extend it to all those who practice the sea.
Others take a negative view of this law, as it could lead the boater to believe that he or she is any kind of licence, having paid to be saved. And what is your avis??
