Koeketiene
Well-known member
I'm sure that even the illegals are aware that the ferry service to Ramsgate is no longer running
Ostende and red diesel - BEWARE
- Thread starter phatcat1
- Start date
I'm sure that even the illegals are aware that the ferry service to Ramsgate is no longer running
thalassa
Member
I'm sure that even the illegals are aware that the ferry service to Ramsgate is no longer running
In May, the Nieuwpoort Maritime Police discovered that three Ukrainians hired a sailboat, and most likely deposited 8 illegal immigrants on the UK coast.
http://nieuws.vtm.be/binnenland/142938-mensensmokkelaars-opgepakt-nieuwpoort
Sorry, thread drift.
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Cantata
Well-known member
I wonder if the ferry operators out of Dover aren't thinking seriously about reopening the Oostende route. They must be fed up to the back teeth with the fragility of Calais.
Koeketiene
Well-known member
Ferries are unlikely to (ever) return to Ostend.
All the disembarkation ramps are in the process of being dismantled and the site is scheduled for redevelopment (luxury flats).
sailorman
Well-known member
Well we have had just over 6 weeks in Belgium & The Netherlands, this was including 2 x visits into Oostende.
No issues & didnt see any officials anywhere.
I did have fuel reciepts for white diesel fron England & bought 4 lots in The Netherlands where prices ranged €1.33 > €1.20 per ltr (£0.86 per ltr for white). we are ripped off here for red & road white
No issues & didnt see any officials anywhere.
I did have fuel reciepts for white diesel fron England & bought 4 lots in The Netherlands where prices ranged €1.33 > €1.20 per ltr (£0.86 per ltr for white). we are ripped off here for red & road white
phatcat1
Active member
Hi everyone,
Sorry, have been away with work, so not been able to look at the forum for some weeks. It seems my post has grown a life of its own.
I can't add anything further to what I originally posted as I haven't seen the gent in question as we have not bumped into him since to get more info. If I do, I will.
Sixpence, I'm not the person who got fined. I am based in Wooly on the Orwell and am Phatcat and the boat was Cento -you had my old VHF off me. We have a new boat called Rumpus which is why you maybe don't recognise me. I don't use the forum much as I don't get time.
Will, I'm not sure which marina he was in, I think he was in the centre basin. Is that Mercator? He was there for a while (a few days so I gather)
The gent is based on the Orwell, and those at Woolverstone will know him well. I'm not going to post names and details on public forums. We happened to bump into him in the Butt & Oyster in the evening he got back. He was not happy, but I don't believe he is an "antagonistic" type of chap.
When he told me, I thought I ought to post it on the forum as a warning to others. I do know of friends who have been to Ostende and back happily this year, but also when I called the RYA cruising department a few weeks ago ( as we were planning to go over) to find out the situation, they told me they had had a few incidents of fines being imposed this summer. It did seem to sound sporadic though rather than a set policy.
It has made us change our mind about going though. Holland and France seem fine, but we don't want to risk Belgium. Seems a real shame and so petty.
PS. After years on the east coast, he is the first person I have met that has been fined!
Sorry, have been away with work, so not been able to look at the forum for some weeks. It seems my post has grown a life of its own.
I can't add anything further to what I originally posted as I haven't seen the gent in question as we have not bumped into him since to get more info. If I do, I will.
Sixpence, I'm not the person who got fined. I am based in Wooly on the Orwell and am Phatcat and the boat was Cento -you had my old VHF off me. We have a new boat called Rumpus which is why you maybe don't recognise me. I don't use the forum much as I don't get time.
Will, I'm not sure which marina he was in, I think he was in the centre basin. Is that Mercator? He was there for a while (a few days so I gather)
The gent is based on the Orwell, and those at Woolverstone will know him well. I'm not going to post names and details on public forums. We happened to bump into him in the Butt & Oyster in the evening he got back. He was not happy, but I don't believe he is an "antagonistic" type of chap.
When he told me, I thought I ought to post it on the forum as a warning to others. I do know of friends who have been to Ostende and back happily this year, but also when I called the RYA cruising department a few weeks ago ( as we were planning to go over) to find out the situation, they told me they had had a few incidents of fines being imposed this summer. It did seem to sound sporadic though rather than a set policy.
It has made us change our mind about going though. Holland and France seem fine, but we don't want to risk Belgium. Seems a real shame and so petty.
PS. After years on the east coast, he is the first person I have met that has been fined!
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Colvic Watson
Well-known member
Somebody needs to tell the RYA that they're wrong. Apparently lots of people have been to Belgium and not been fined so it must be a myth
It's an interesting mindset on the part of the Belgian govt. It doesn't raise a cent extra in revenue, it doesn't change UK policy, it doesn't add to safety or security. The only tangible effect is to reduce income from tourism. But I bet it makes the officials feel like they're doing something and managers always need to feel that they're doing something.
sailorman
Well-known member
As has been stated elsewhere, its noticeable how few English boats are in The Netherlands this year. The red issue must be having a financial effect to both Holland & BelgiumSomebody needs to tell the RYA that they're wrong. Apparently lots of people have been to Belgium and not been fined so it must be a myth
It's an interesting mindset on the part of the Belgian govt. It doesn't raise a cent extra in revenue, it doesn't change UK policy, it doesn't add to safety or security. The only tangible effect is to reduce income from tourism. But I bet it makes the officials feel like they're doing something and managers always need to feel that they're doing something.
Kurrawong_Kid
Well-known member
Or perhaps the diabolically windy weather! The Hanse further down "our" pontoon was waiting last Monday to go over, but didn't think he'd get away to last Thursday.
Sixpence
Active member
Good to hear from you, my addled grey matter has difficulty keeping up with all the name changes in these parts, and it's also been a hectic few days for me but sadly not as far as sailing goes. Tempting though the waters off Swansea were, time these days is at a premium
Tomahawk
Well-known member
He may have been the only peson to get done so far, but the mere threat of a whomping fine is all I need to decide to not goto Belgium...
sailorman
Well-known member
As always ,totally your choice.
the RYA can only state the present laws & advise accordingly.
Tomahawk
Well-known member
As you say it is my choice,
It would be better if the RYA took the Belgian Government to the EU courts for breach of EU law.
It would be better if the RYA took the Belgian Government to the EU courts for breach of EU law.
maby
Well-known member
Hmmm, not obvious how they would have a hope in hell of winning that one!
Vara
Active member
What I would like to see is a copy of the receipt or associated paperwork of any fines issued for red diesel in Belgium.
Until I see them it remains case...not proven.
Friend of friend accounts just don't cut it.
Until I see them it remains case...not proven.
Friend of friend accounts just don't cut it.
Daydream believer
Well-known member
I am going for a month stay in the RNSYC harbour , leaving tomorrow.
Just hope they take pity on me
Just hope they take pity on me
Daydream believer
Well-known member
What if one can show that the red diesel was not purchased within the EU .
I have been to St Peter Port & filled with their marine red fuel.
Hence i have red in my tanks
Does that put a different slant on it ?
AT the chandlery in St Peter Port they say that loads of French boats come over & fill with the cheaper fuel & are not challenged on return to France
I do have the receipts for the Red fuel bought there
I have been to St Peter Port & filled with their marine red fuel.
Hence i have red in my tanks
Does that put a different slant on it ?
AT the chandlery in St Peter Port they say that loads of French boats come over & fill with the cheaper fuel & are not challenged on return to France
I do have the receipts for the Red fuel bought there
thalassa
Member
I've seen one, as I mentioned earlier. Next time I'll take a photocopier, and a scanner onboard.
sailorman
Well-known member
Good man.
PS a camera or smart phone would do the job
PS a camera or smart phone would do the job
maby
Well-known member
Doesn't make any difference - the Germans fined an American boat that had brought red over from the states. The French may not push it, but they could - we accept that we cannot take legally purchased alcohol into Saudi - the same applies to red diesel taken into the EU. I know that there is a generally accepted convention that countries should not apply local laws to fuel brought in in craft from outside their jurisdiction, but I do not believe that that has any basis in legislation - it is just one of those conventions that is generally observed because it is mutually beneficial.