any news from ostend on red diesel?

[Burnham Bob]

I though that YM had reported that Belgium was no longer looking for red diesel in tanks - I think there was even a letter from a Belgian Harbour Master. Did anyone go to Ostend recently and see any customs officials dipping tanks? Any other obdervations?

 

[MoodySabre]

I was there ten days ago we were the only foreign boat in the Montgomery dock. No visit. Robert gave no warning. We did arrive early evening and left at 0800 the next day so not really tested the system.

 

[Athene V30]

I was there a day and a half prior to the 'at anchor' festival and not asked about fuel.

 

[sailorman]

I though that YM had reported that Belgium was no longer looking for red diesel in tanks - I think there was even a letter from a Belgian Harbour Master. Did anyone go to Ostend recently and see any customs officials dipping tanks? Any other obdervations?

check the cruising section on the RYA site, no reports last year
http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/boatingabroad/Pages/reddieselabroad.aspx
[h=1]Red diesel: Belgian authorities' fining of UK boaters[/h] [h=2]The RYA is challenging the validity of Belgian authorities’ actions under EU law.[/h]
The RYA is lobbying the European Commission and the Belgian Finance Ministry, both directly and through the European Boating Association. It is also working with the Royal Belgian Yachting Federation, which is similarly lobbying its Government.
Whilst it is not legal under Belgian law to use marked diesel in private pleasure craft in Belgian there are a number of circumstances under EU law and international law in which the main fuel tanks of a private pleasure craft navigating Community waters might legitimately contain marked diesel.
[h=3]Current situation[/h] The risk of being fined in Belgium remains. However, we are not aware of any UK boaters being fined by the Belgium authorities for the presence of red diesel in their fuel tanks during the 2012 cruising season. 5 February 2013
[h=3]Contravention of basic principles of EU law[/h] The RYA has obtained specialist legal advice which states that the penalisation of individual yachtsman for the mere presence of marked fuel in a pleasure craft's fuel tanks is contrary to the basic principles of EU law. Learn more about marked diesel and EU law.
This advice is consistent with that contained in the letter that the RYA received in 2008 from the European Commission.
[h=3]Enforcement lies with the Commission[/h] In addition, irrespective of whether the Belgian authorities believe that the continued availability of red diesel in the UK infringes the relevant EU Directive, it is for the Commission alone to enforce any alleged failure of a Member State to fully implement obligations arising under EU Directives.
The Belgian authorities should not therefore penalise individual UK boaters for what they might consider to be a failing on the part of the UK Government, particularly individual boaters who are simply passing through Belgian waters without calling at a Belgian port.
Advice on using red diesel abroad


[h=2]Latest Updates[/h] [h=3]Red diesel: Government recognises RYA objection to amended declaration[/h] Government has confirmed today that it has no intention to make it unlawful for red diesel bought in the UK to be used outside UK territorial waters ... read more
Published 28/03/2012

[h=3]RYA and BMF meet with HMRC to discuss recent red diesel announcement[/h] HMRC confirmed Government has no intention to make it unlawful for red diesel bought in the UK to be used outside UK territorial waters. ... read more
Published 05/03/2012

[h=3]RYA advice on HMRC red diesel announcement[/h] Your questions answered on the recent HMRC red diesel announcement ... read more
Published 05/03/2012

[h=3]RYA challenges HMRC proposals[/h] RYA clear that HMRC proposals present a real problem for recreational boaters. ... read more
Published 21/02/2012

[h=3]Red Diesel: a game of two halves[/h] A complex issue of semantics and EU law. ... read more
Published 16/05/2013

[h=3]RYA challenges Belgian authorities' actions in fining UK boaters.[/h] Gus Lewis, Head of Government Affairs, tells us why the RYA is challenging the actions of the Belgian authorities. ... read more
Published 27/03/2013

 

[Marmalade]

We were there for the bank holiday weekend - no visits, boardings, problems, hassle at all.