Recent content by Chris_Robb

Ha has - its a shipping Law that requires you to check in and out - namely law 4256...... though that refers to a previous law ..... and that refers to another previous law going back to 1953. Its the European Codified law where this happens unlike UK Law. Its a mess as the customs say that...

Any Vat Goods (a yacht) leaving the EU Waters will automatically loose its Vat status when it leaves EU Waters. However the Vat status can be regained as it was the moment they left EU Waters, by the sold action of re-crossing the borders. however it must be under the same ownership and without...

The latest auto systems shut the engines down first - and if you use powder on a hot running engine you have to be nuts or very wealthy! Its just money!

Not keen on Powder or CO2. Powder because of the utter mess produced, you could damage engine parts like alternators if hot. If ingested by the engine thats expensive. CO2 in confined places can be deadly to humans. At 7 % you will die. Water mist good. A larger fire, foam is excellent...

greek stupidity.... you should check if a company owned the vessel at any time, that could point to a private charter use. Otherwise, it can't harm getting such a declaration from the previous owner and in theory any previous owner, but its a problem associated with Rhodes Customs and the...

1. No 2. I think the user and owner can be updated. The early ones were possibly not recorded on the computer, but they certainly are now. We had a rash of fines for CA yachts last year - we made Petitions (formal complaint process) on every one. We got the fine for not having a UTL of...

The aim now is to get the Minister of shipping to remove the requirement for the UTL to be issued to Vat paid yachts. The Ministry of shipping has been very compliant over the years and that will then avoid having to get co-operation from the AADE which is a joke (bit like HMRC) The...

Steve, I presume you got hold of a Transit Log, unlimited or Ltd? All transit logs were registered on computer.Until they have you in front of them and call up the records, nothing will come to light. Let me know what type you have, and work out if any action required. We know, at the CA, a...

This is a very good plan. You will learn how to sail, and whether you like it or not. 38 to 40 foot ideal. When you come to set off time, you will have a much better plan of what you want. Also these older boats such as the Westerly type are solid and well built and IF LOOKED AFTER will...

The Lagoons in particular are subject to structural problems, which with the wringing stresses on a Catermaran on an ocean crossing are can be severe.....

basically - just dont go to ask customs or Port Police at all - you just dont need to have any contact.

Preveza is a safe place - if you get pressurised only talk to Stavris Pavlides (a senior customs officer)- he is quite clear on this matter and actually believes that NO transit log for a vat paid yacht should every be issued as its a customs procedure - which is not allowed under the UCC. he...

Absolutely Not. Where are you based?

I am now boatless, have retired from the Cruising Association, and have trained a successor.... its not easy to get into thus as the problems have not been the law but the unbelievable interpretations. Take the transit log for vat paid yachts. To stop people being fined, it was logical to...

I agree, but most of what other departments are doing are screwed up by the AADE an unaccountable body run effectively by the Troika following the Greek bail out. They are beyond political control. I know the issues well as the last 4 years of my life have been taken up with fighting their...