Guide: Obtaining the M-key at YCC

This guide contains all the information a YCC member needs to obtain the "M-key" and drive the club's motorboats. The M-key is mandatory for carrying out surveillance shifts during club activities (Thursday evening outings, regattas, courses). Without an available M-driver, no club activity can take place.

1. What is the M-key?

The M-key is the YCC qualification that authorises a member to drive a motorboat.

Benefits

• Helper Shifts: Easily fulfils the helper shifts required for obtaining sailing keys.
• Free Practice: Free motorboat practice during surveillance shifts (fuel and maintenance covered by YCC).
• Prerequisite: The Swiss motorboat theory test is identical to the one required for other keys (SU, GS).
• Progression: Counts as a key towards larger keelboats: with M and Y keys, you can already apply for SU/GS courses.
• Community: Essential contribution; the club always needs M-drivers.

2. Prerequisite: Obtaining a Valid License

Before taking the M-test, you must hold a valid motorboat license recognised in your country of residence. Your driver's license must also be officially recognised by the Swiss authorities.

🇨🇭 For Swiss Residents

You need the cantonal motorboat licence Category "A", issued by your canton.

• If you already hold a Swiss Category A licence: If passed recently, proceed directly to the M-test. Otherwise, use the YCC practice framework to build confidence.
• If you hold a foreign motorboat licence: Only German and Austrian licences can be exchanged without an exam (reciprocity agreement). All other nationalities must pass the full Swiss theoretical and practical exam.

Practical Tip: For license exchange, go in person to the OCV (Office Cantonal des Véhicules) in Carouge. In-person visits yield much clearer answers than phone or email. If you also hold a sailing licence, exchange both at the same time.

🇫🇷 For French Residents

You need a motorboat license recognised by French authorities. For Lake Geneva, the relevant category is "eaux intérieures" (inland waterways).

• If you already hold a valid French license: Members who obtained their license in France generally need more on-water practice before the M-test. Make use of the YCC practice framework.
• If you hold a foreign motorboat license: Contact the competent DDT for your licence type to check equivalence procedures:
  • Inland waterways (Lake Geneva): DDT du Nord, Pôle navigation intérieure, 123 rue de Roubaix, 59500 Douai – +33 3 27 94 55 60.
  • Coastal: DDTM 76 (Seine-Maritime), ddtm-plaisance@seine-maritime.gouv.fr.
• If you do not hold any licence: You will need to obtain the French inland waterways licence ("permis de plaisance – option eaux intérieures").

🌍 Residents of Other Countries

If you plan to move to Switzerland or France soon, it is better to wait until after the move before starting the process. Otherwise, contact the M-key coordinator to assess your specific situation.

3. Practicing Before the M-test

YCC does not offer motorboat courses from scratch but has a practice framework for members who already hold a valid license.

How the Practice Framework Works

1. Contact Captains: Identify motorboat drivers (visible as "captain" in the YCC Helper App) and ask whether they are willing to take you along and coach you on a shift.
2. Coordinate: Arrange this in advance so that not everyone shows up on the same shift.
3. Sign Up: You can also sign up as a "helper" on a shift to contact the captain directly.
4. Surveillance Information: Essentials to know for surveillance and rescue can be found here.
5. Motorboats Usage: How to better use (and take care of) our motorboats informations.
6. Ready? Once you feel ready, contact the coordinator to register for the M-test.

Note: If you cannot exchange your license and must pass the Swiss exam, YCC can recommend driving schools and provide coaching/fuel for 1-2 practice outings once you are close to exam-ready.

4. Taking the M-test

When you feel ready, you can register for the M-test. The test includes both practical and theoretical components (theory is verified during the practical test).

📝 Register for the M-test

Note: If you have a new French license or an older Swiss license, additional practice may be required before the test. The coordinator will advise you upon registration.

After passing the M-test, remember to sign up as "captain" for available surveillance shifts in the YCC Helper App.

5. Contacts and Useful Links

M-key & Motorboat Coordinator: Michael van Eck (contact via the YCC website).

Useful Resources

• Q-boat Surveillance Documentation
• YCC Helper App
• OCV Geneva (Swiss Licenses)
• Association des Services de la Navigation (Swiss Info)
• Swiss Motorboat Exam Info
• Swiss Legal References (ONI Art. 91/91a)