Das_Boot
New member
Are flare guns legal and if so where can I buy one?
Are flare guns legal
- Thread starter Das_Boot
- Start date
bruce
New member
long thread in last 2 weeks about them, best answer was to contact local cops, but even that varied...
pvb
Well-known member
You can get one from...
You can get one from... oh, hang on, I've just seen where you're located, probably best not to consider one. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
You can get one from... oh, hang on, I've just seen where you're located, probably best not to consider one. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Das_Boot
New member
Re: You can get one from...
I thought it might be better than a real gun if pirates want to board. I have seen people burned with the hand held ones. so thought it might be a good Idea but if it is illegal there goes another bright idea.
I thought it might be better than a real gun if pirates want to board. I have seen people burned with the hand held ones. so thought it might be a good Idea but if it is illegal there goes another bright idea.
pvb
Well-known member
Do you get many pirates up there in the north east?
?
?
BrendanS
Well-known member
Yes, but you will need a firearms certificate
iangrant
New member
Re: You can get one from...
You need a fire arms licence to carry on on land in the UK or buy the cartridges, secure it on the boat etc etc......and if you drop it on your fibreglass deck it will crack it..
Best to use the ordinary ones but held down not like in the films - that will burn your hand..
Ian
You need a fire arms licence to carry on on land in the UK or buy the cartridges, secure it on the boat etc etc......and if you drop it on your fibreglass deck it will crack it..
Best to use the ordinary ones but held down not like in the films - that will burn your hand..
Ian
Mike_Martin
New member
I think you'll need a FAC.
details here http://www.met.police.uk/firearms-enquiries/firearms.htm
Mike
details here http://www.met.police.uk/firearms-enquiries/firearms.htm
Mike
Das_Boot
New member
No pirates up here I hope. we did have the pirate booze and cigs seller he anchored (not sure how) 12 miles out but the customs won in the end.
I am sailing as soon as I finish re-fitting my boat and am going via red sea at some stage.
Anyway it was only a thought I have plenty of the hand helds.
Thought I might laze away the time shooting sharks and things with it as well as pirates. Ah well.
I am sailing as soon as I finish re-fitting my boat and am going via red sea at some stage.
Anyway it was only a thought I have plenty of the hand helds.
Thought I might laze away the time shooting sharks and things with it as well as pirates. Ah well.
Evadne
Active member
Pirates in the red sea carry AK47s and bigger. A flare gun might be of slightly more use than a chocolate fireguard in the face of these, by the time you are close enough to guarantee hitting something in the vicinity of your target. They're not exactly the long range, armour piercing, explosive warheads that "The A-Team" and Hollywood movies would have you think! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
cliff
Active member
[ QUOTE ]
Are flare guns legal and if so where can I buy one?
[/ QUOTE ]Yes they are legal but you DO need a Fire Arms Certificate.
Procedure would be to go to locan gun shop and get details of what is available (Pains Wessex 1" calibre or 1.25") then go to police and try to get a FAC. Once you have the FAC go back to gun shop and have him order one for you - cost around £400 ~ £450 get him to order shells as well at the same time as they are like hens teeth and shipping of them is very expensive due to regulations. Last price I had for shells worked out at around £6 per shell.
As for piracy in "marlboro alley" a verey pistol is not going to be much use against AK47s - I would recommend either a mini-gun, a chain gun or perhaps a 20mm Aden cannon (30mm if you have room for the ammunition).
----------
Are flare guns legal and if so where can I buy one?
[/ QUOTE ]Yes they are legal but you DO need a Fire Arms Certificate.
Procedure would be to go to locan gun shop and get details of what is available (Pains Wessex 1" calibre or 1.25") then go to police and try to get a FAC. Once you have the FAC go back to gun shop and have him order one for you - cost around £400 ~ £450 get him to order shells as well at the same time as they are like hens teeth and shipping of them is very expensive due to regulations. Last price I had for shells worked out at around £6 per shell.
As for piracy in "marlboro alley" a verey pistol is not going to be much use against AK47s - I would recommend either a mini-gun, a chain gun or perhaps a 20mm Aden cannon (30mm if you have room for the ammunition).
----------
samuel
New member
I have had a very pistol ( Webley 1") for about 36 years. A fire arms certificate is needed plus if you go abroad you need a european lcence. This, like the FAC is free. The big problem is the hassle of getting the cert renewed each 3 years( or thereabouts)
You have to get referees to write letters about you with details of whether you have a stable marriage etc & I find it embarassing to ask people to go to all the trouble. For a couple of years I did not have a boat but navigated for friends. The local police even sent the police launch Alert from Burnham to the Blackwater to see the boat I was sailing on to see that I was not telling porkies.
Every so often I get a random visit to check that I have the popgun stored in a safe place. One such visit the wife opened the safe as I did not know the combination. I got a right rollicking because the officer was worried the missus might get the gun out & shoot me.
The flares are fairly old I have had them as long as I have had the gun. I started with about 30 No. ( Cost then 50P each) & have used about 6 No. of the white ones to stop me getting run down by shipping in fog & at night. ( & once in fog when a fishing boat nearly hit me off Dieppe & i fired the flare at his cabin. Did the trick but scared the Sh... out of us both.)
Current flare price is about £ 5-6 depending on quantity purchased. A good investment if you can stand the hassle with the police.
I do not have any problems with foreign customs. I have been to Holland, France (as far as Nance). Channel Islands & Belgium, In Belgium the customs did not give a hoot about the pistol but nearly fined me for not having boats name on the stern. ( It was on the bows) I felt like shooting him with the pistol!!!
You have to get referees to write letters about you with details of whether you have a stable marriage etc & I find it embarassing to ask people to go to all the trouble. For a couple of years I did not have a boat but navigated for friends. The local police even sent the police launch Alert from Burnham to the Blackwater to see the boat I was sailing on to see that I was not telling porkies.
Every so often I get a random visit to check that I have the popgun stored in a safe place. One such visit the wife opened the safe as I did not know the combination. I got a right rollicking because the officer was worried the missus might get the gun out & shoot me.
The flares are fairly old I have had them as long as I have had the gun. I started with about 30 No. ( Cost then 50P each) & have used about 6 No. of the white ones to stop me getting run down by shipping in fog & at night. ( & once in fog when a fishing boat nearly hit me off Dieppe & i fired the flare at his cabin. Did the trick but scared the Sh... out of us both.)
Current flare price is about £ 5-6 depending on quantity purchased. A good investment if you can stand the hassle with the police.
I do not have any problems with foreign customs. I have been to Holland, France (as far as Nance). Channel Islands & Belgium, In Belgium the customs did not give a hoot about the pistol but nearly fined me for not having boats name on the stern. ( It was on the bows) I felt like shooting him with the pistol!!!
William_H
Well-known member
It seems to me that it would be a lot less hassle to use standard rocket flares. They are certainly more usefull in an emergency and no one would question your carrying them. I expect they could be quite lethal if you really needed to injure someone by pointing it at them. just practice your quick draw.
An Ozzie yachtsman has just been released from 3 months in jail (after bribing his way out) in Bali after being caught with rifle shot gun and pistol on board without declaring them. So carrying guns including flare guns carries it's own risk. olewill
An Ozzie yachtsman has just been released from 3 months in jail (after bribing his way out) in Bali after being caught with rifle shot gun and pistol on board without declaring them. So carrying guns including flare guns carries it's own risk. olewill
gjeffery
New member
"nearly fined me for not having boats name on the stern. "
Please can you tell me which regulation speaks to that?
Please can you tell me which regulation speaks to that?
Marsupial
New member
Cliff you might like to a have a look at this extract from a book that describes a Code of Conduct for Pirates:
"
Ship Armament.
Pirates have always been in the forefront of modern technology and have sought to be able to defend themselves with the very latest weaponry. Unfortunately however this has been to the detriment of the profession. The latest weaponry does not always look that menacing, for example a rocket launcher to the untrained eye looks like a piece of drain pipe laying on the deck. Conversely there is no mistaking the intention of a 30mm Cannon or a phalanx gun even though they may not be as effective.
Cannon
The muzzle loading cannon of the 18th Century is now out of date and many Pirates now favour the assault rifle as the main weapon. This is fine for the capture of small vessels and taking charge after boarding but a more substantial threat is needed if you are to be successful in arresting a large merchantman or cruise liner. Also you must consider the possible reprisals from Man O War equipped with the latest technology. The problem therefore is twofold, your armament must be visible, threatening and appear formidable to the civilians you aim to apprehend. But it must also be effective against the warships that might be sent to follow you.
The .5inch Heavy Machine Gun
The half-hearted attempts of the xxxxx and xxxxxx pirates are not to be considered as a role model here. Mounting a .5-inch machine gun the deck of a rusty fishing boat is not conducive to presenting a professional image. Small motorboats and yachts may be intimidated with this equipment, but be warned. There have been cases where some enlightened yacht skippers have been able to respond with a withering hail of shotgun and small arms fire. From close range, this can be devastating, often the pirates have been defenceless because their gun mounting would not enable the muzzle to depress and return fire and they have perished. In these circumstances there is a good case for some short range weapons such as grenades and small arms to be within easy reach in the wheelhouse.
Clearly then there is a need to be ready for both close quarters and over the horizon combat. Heavy machine guns should be mounted where they can have the largest arc of fire accorded by the superstructure. Crew must be well disciplined and trained in all aspects of the entire ordinance carried on board.
Use of Armament
In most circumstances attracting the attention of the quarry to your presence with a burst of heavy machine gun fire across the bows and through the rigging will suffice. Fire flares for effect by all means but at all times try to keep hot cases off the deck and do your best not to damage the boat you’re trying to capture.
Resist the temptation to rake the decks of your quarry with machine gun fire, worse still deliberately shoot below the waterline. It’s unprofessional and makes a mess, it also devalues the boat should you need to sell it and could damage valuable booty; trying to fence a boat full of bullet holes or a wad of bloodstained, waterlogged banknotes is not easy.
Heavy calibre weapons are very expensive to fire, use them only when you are sure that the plunder will at least pay for the rounds expended. Generally just displaying them and pointing them at the quarry with be enough to intimidate and affect immediate surrender.
Don’t use the machete, its all wrong for sea warfare; the cutlass is the correct weapon. As with all bladed weapons keep it clean, sharp and sterile, there are many cases of blood poisoning reported when deploying this type of weapon, this is unforgivable and not considered professional.
Only use the cutlass if you are proficient, careless use could damage the deck-head, or worse injure you or your crew. Worthy of note is that some crews are equipped with blunt cutlasses so accidents are reduced but the menace of a flashing blade is retained.
Daggers and knives is another area of concern. It is essential that the closed blade knife, such as the penknife, switchblade knife or fruit knife is kept clean and sharp. They are not considered credible professional weapons but there could be circumstances where a Swiss army knife taped to your leg may save your life.
Open blade knives such as sheath knives and daggers are a different proposition they demand far more care and attention. Like the cutlass, for maximum effect they must be maintained in a scrupulously clean condition. However care must be taken in their use. Clenched in the teeth or tucked in a belt they present a high risk to the user. It is recommended that if they are to be used this way for effect, then one side of the blade should be dull so the dagger can be clenched in the teeth with minimal risk. Likewise for tucking in a tunic or belt all sharp edges and points should be dulled.
The practise of swinging from the rigging holding a cutlass in one hand with a dagger in the teeth is a tad dated and is not likely to impress a quarry. You risk injury by being skewered on a boat hook wielded by a resourceful adversary not to mention the self-inflicted injuries that could occur from your own weapons or collision with rigging and superstructure.
If you must swing onto your prey then use a safety harness with a quick release carbine hook. This will allow both hands to hold a short-barrelled weapon, such as an AK47, this procedure is safer, more effective and far more terrifying. Use two magazines taped together, fire blanks as you swing onto the deck to reduce recoil then change to live rounds to intimidate the crew. By all means have a dulled dagger tucked in your belt for effect and if you can find them, a colourful headscarf worn at a jaunty angle with a belt of 20mm cannon shells over one shoulder adds to the sense of occasion and does not disappoint the victims.
The professional pirate must choose side arms carefully; a weapon is only credible if it can be used.
Revolvers and semiautomatic pistols must be used with care. In general although large calibre weapons may at a first glance have appeal, actually using them below deck is fraught with danger. Discharging a .357 or .44 magnum round in the confines of a cabin could cause a hull rupture, and even if you kill your adversary the bullet could pass right through him with sufficient energy to ricochet off a hard surface and injure you.
Semiautomatics do not perform well in the marine environment and unless you have a rigorous maintenance regime its better to resist the temptation to carry them.
Shotguns need special care, they are very inaccurate and often need two hands to operate them, however for that “authentic look” a couple of hammer lock single barrelled shot guns sawn off with modified butts tucked into a wide leather belt would be convincing replica 18C pistols. It is not recommended that you carry them loaded, as they are notoriously unreliable and prone to misfire, however victims report positively, that their deployment definitely adds to the ambiance.
The recommendation for the professional is that a small revolver of say .25 calibre loaded with dumdum or hollow-point rounds is the most appropriate choice. These weapons are effective at the sort of ranges envisaged on a ship and they are credible. The rounds will penetrate and disable but not pass through the victim minimising possible injury to you and your crew from ricochet. Furthermore, using them in a GRP vessel will not cause a hull rupture, when striking the hard surface of a steel or concrete vessel the energy in a hollow-point round is absorbed as it deforms, rendering it harmless.
"
All the above is I think very tongue in cheek!
Cheers
David
"
Ship Armament.
Pirates have always been in the forefront of modern technology and have sought to be able to defend themselves with the very latest weaponry. Unfortunately however this has been to the detriment of the profession. The latest weaponry does not always look that menacing, for example a rocket launcher to the untrained eye looks like a piece of drain pipe laying on the deck. Conversely there is no mistaking the intention of a 30mm Cannon or a phalanx gun even though they may not be as effective.
Cannon
The muzzle loading cannon of the 18th Century is now out of date and many Pirates now favour the assault rifle as the main weapon. This is fine for the capture of small vessels and taking charge after boarding but a more substantial threat is needed if you are to be successful in arresting a large merchantman or cruise liner. Also you must consider the possible reprisals from Man O War equipped with the latest technology. The problem therefore is twofold, your armament must be visible, threatening and appear formidable to the civilians you aim to apprehend. But it must also be effective against the warships that might be sent to follow you.
The .5inch Heavy Machine Gun
The half-hearted attempts of the xxxxx and xxxxxx pirates are not to be considered as a role model here. Mounting a .5-inch machine gun the deck of a rusty fishing boat is not conducive to presenting a professional image. Small motorboats and yachts may be intimidated with this equipment, but be warned. There have been cases where some enlightened yacht skippers have been able to respond with a withering hail of shotgun and small arms fire. From close range, this can be devastating, often the pirates have been defenceless because their gun mounting would not enable the muzzle to depress and return fire and they have perished. In these circumstances there is a good case for some short range weapons such as grenades and small arms to be within easy reach in the wheelhouse.
Clearly then there is a need to be ready for both close quarters and over the horizon combat. Heavy machine guns should be mounted where they can have the largest arc of fire accorded by the superstructure. Crew must be well disciplined and trained in all aspects of the entire ordinance carried on board.
Use of Armament
In most circumstances attracting the attention of the quarry to your presence with a burst of heavy machine gun fire across the bows and through the rigging will suffice. Fire flares for effect by all means but at all times try to keep hot cases off the deck and do your best not to damage the boat you’re trying to capture.
Resist the temptation to rake the decks of your quarry with machine gun fire, worse still deliberately shoot below the waterline. It’s unprofessional and makes a mess, it also devalues the boat should you need to sell it and could damage valuable booty; trying to fence a boat full of bullet holes or a wad of bloodstained, waterlogged banknotes is not easy.
Heavy calibre weapons are very expensive to fire, use them only when you are sure that the plunder will at least pay for the rounds expended. Generally just displaying them and pointing them at the quarry with be enough to intimidate and affect immediate surrender.
Don’t use the machete, its all wrong for sea warfare; the cutlass is the correct weapon. As with all bladed weapons keep it clean, sharp and sterile, there are many cases of blood poisoning reported when deploying this type of weapon, this is unforgivable and not considered professional.
Only use the cutlass if you are proficient, careless use could damage the deck-head, or worse injure you or your crew. Worthy of note is that some crews are equipped with blunt cutlasses so accidents are reduced but the menace of a flashing blade is retained.
Daggers and knives is another area of concern. It is essential that the closed blade knife, such as the penknife, switchblade knife or fruit knife is kept clean and sharp. They are not considered credible professional weapons but there could be circumstances where a Swiss army knife taped to your leg may save your life.
Open blade knives such as sheath knives and daggers are a different proposition they demand far more care and attention. Like the cutlass, for maximum effect they must be maintained in a scrupulously clean condition. However care must be taken in their use. Clenched in the teeth or tucked in a belt they present a high risk to the user. It is recommended that if they are to be used this way for effect, then one side of the blade should be dull so the dagger can be clenched in the teeth with minimal risk. Likewise for tucking in a tunic or belt all sharp edges and points should be dulled.
The practise of swinging from the rigging holding a cutlass in one hand with a dagger in the teeth is a tad dated and is not likely to impress a quarry. You risk injury by being skewered on a boat hook wielded by a resourceful adversary not to mention the self-inflicted injuries that could occur from your own weapons or collision with rigging and superstructure.
If you must swing onto your prey then use a safety harness with a quick release carbine hook. This will allow both hands to hold a short-barrelled weapon, such as an AK47, this procedure is safer, more effective and far more terrifying. Use two magazines taped together, fire blanks as you swing onto the deck to reduce recoil then change to live rounds to intimidate the crew. By all means have a dulled dagger tucked in your belt for effect and if you can find them, a colourful headscarf worn at a jaunty angle with a belt of 20mm cannon shells over one shoulder adds to the sense of occasion and does not disappoint the victims.
The professional pirate must choose side arms carefully; a weapon is only credible if it can be used.
Revolvers and semiautomatic pistols must be used with care. In general although large calibre weapons may at a first glance have appeal, actually using them below deck is fraught with danger. Discharging a .357 or .44 magnum round in the confines of a cabin could cause a hull rupture, and even if you kill your adversary the bullet could pass right through him with sufficient energy to ricochet off a hard surface and injure you.
Semiautomatics do not perform well in the marine environment and unless you have a rigorous maintenance regime its better to resist the temptation to carry them.
Shotguns need special care, they are very inaccurate and often need two hands to operate them, however for that “authentic look” a couple of hammer lock single barrelled shot guns sawn off with modified butts tucked into a wide leather belt would be convincing replica 18C pistols. It is not recommended that you carry them loaded, as they are notoriously unreliable and prone to misfire, however victims report positively, that their deployment definitely adds to the ambiance.
The recommendation for the professional is that a small revolver of say .25 calibre loaded with dumdum or hollow-point rounds is the most appropriate choice. These weapons are effective at the sort of ranges envisaged on a ship and they are credible. The rounds will penetrate and disable but not pass through the victim minimising possible injury to you and your crew from ricochet. Furthermore, using them in a GRP vessel will not cause a hull rupture, when striking the hard surface of a steel or concrete vessel the energy in a hollow-point round is absorbed as it deforms, rendering it harmless.
"
All the above is I think very tongue in cheek!
Cheers
David
Das_Boot
New member
Thanks for the input I have learned 3 things buy a big engine, forget the flare gun and remove the radar detector
Will painting my boat grey and camouflaging the sails help me slip by unnoticed. If so what is the best colour for the sails.
Will painting my boat grey and camouflaging the sails help me slip by unnoticed. If so what is the best colour for the sails.
Marsupial
New member
Ahh! from the same volume we get this usefull advice
"
On the subject of looks, the ship should be tidy and seaman like, colours should not be bright or pastel, dark colours are to be preferred as they are far more effective as camouflage and present the “correct image”. Do not forget stealth paint, available mail order from the American military, it is black and does afford some protection from radar and infrared guided missiles. The Type 23 Frigate used by the British navy would only need a coat of paint and a suitable name to become a very credible pirate ship for work in the great oceans. Inshore the lightly armed French Customs launch has speed, agility, low freeboard and a certain, “style”. It comes highly recommended as a Pirate ship as it was used to good effect in this role off Calais in the 2001 port blockade. Both types are available on the world arms market at competitive prices or naturally, free to the audacious.
Obviously, the type of quarry you are intending to hunt will depend on the type of craft you choose. Trying to board a motor yacht from a Destroyer is a particularly hazardous procedure even in calm conditions so a vessel with a lower freeboard may be more appropriate for this type of work, such as the French Customs vessel or Danish patrol boat. However, the destroyer is a credible threat that would dissuade even the most determined Cruise Liner Captain from attempting evasion. So to get close to your customer you must spend time considering the relative merits of all types of vessel.
Whilst on this subject it’s as well to carefully consider ship names. Try to make sure the ship is aptly named, “Sue”, “Annabel” and “Rose” do not project the right image, “The Black Pig”, “Terminator” or “Nemesis” are names which convey the right message and have a certain menace about them. For reasons that are obvious it is inappropriate and probably unwise to advertise your homeport on the stern below the name, as required by international maritime law.
"
"
On the subject of looks, the ship should be tidy and seaman like, colours should not be bright or pastel, dark colours are to be preferred as they are far more effective as camouflage and present the “correct image”. Do not forget stealth paint, available mail order from the American military, it is black and does afford some protection from radar and infrared guided missiles. The Type 23 Frigate used by the British navy would only need a coat of paint and a suitable name to become a very credible pirate ship for work in the great oceans. Inshore the lightly armed French Customs launch has speed, agility, low freeboard and a certain, “style”. It comes highly recommended as a Pirate ship as it was used to good effect in this role off Calais in the 2001 port blockade. Both types are available on the world arms market at competitive prices or naturally, free to the audacious.
Obviously, the type of quarry you are intending to hunt will depend on the type of craft you choose. Trying to board a motor yacht from a Destroyer is a particularly hazardous procedure even in calm conditions so a vessel with a lower freeboard may be more appropriate for this type of work, such as the French Customs vessel or Danish patrol boat. However, the destroyer is a credible threat that would dissuade even the most determined Cruise Liner Captain from attempting evasion. So to get close to your customer you must spend time considering the relative merits of all types of vessel.
Whilst on this subject it’s as well to carefully consider ship names. Try to make sure the ship is aptly named, “Sue”, “Annabel” and “Rose” do not project the right image, “The Black Pig”, “Terminator” or “Nemesis” are names which convey the right message and have a certain menace about them. For reasons that are obvious it is inappropriate and probably unwise to advertise your homeport on the stern below the name, as required by international maritime law.
"
Das_Boot
New member
What about Blood Bucket for the name.
Unfortunatly the advice does not seem to cover sailing ships. Its no use disguising the hull and having bright orange day and night glow sails.
Can you dye sails. I tried to dye my dodger cover the dye only clung to the faded patches which I was trying hide. It went from faded yellow to half arsed zebra.
Unfortunatly the advice does not seem to cover sailing ships. Its no use disguising the hull and having bright orange day and night glow sails.
Can you dye sails. I tried to dye my dodger cover the dye only clung to the faded patches which I was trying hide. It went from faded yellow to half arsed zebra.
cliff
Active member
I don't recall giving you permission to reprint my work! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Read it! I wrote it - or at least something very similiar.
Still prefer the Aden solution - If it does not scare the pirates away you can sink the buggers even with the 20mm version.
The danger is they come out with something bigger.
If attacked by pirates either give up and surrender of kill every last one of them and sink their boat otherwise you will be history.
----------
Read it! I wrote it - or at least something very similiar.
Still prefer the Aden solution - If it does not scare the pirates away you can sink the buggers even with the 20mm version.
The danger is they come out with something bigger.
If attacked by pirates either give up and surrender of kill every last one of them and sink their boat otherwise you will be history.
----------
samuel
New member
"nearly fined me for not having boats name on the stern.
"Re question from gjeffrey
Yes we were visiting Oostende last year & were waiting for friends to meet up. On the particular day in question Robert the harbour master had moved us near the yachtclub & we moored stern on as it was easier to get on & off.
The Belgian TV were doing a piece on collaberation between Dutch, Belgian & British customs in a combined operation to do with the anti drug trafficing.
The customs came to give us a call for a second time since we had arrived & asked if they could do the visit with the cameras on board. Of course we were delighted to participate. As far as I am concerened anything to do with the prevention of drug trafficing is worthy of support.
They went through all the usual formalities with the camera filming & we even had the european licence for the very pistol out. The officers had a bit of a discussion about this as it seemed they had not seen this type of licence before but I could not be sure what they were saying.
Any how as the visit came to an end a more senior officer turned up & made sure the film crew stopped . I was puzzled & he indicated to me to shut up.
After the crew had gone further down the pontoons another officer came back & said the senior one would be back to deal with the problem of incorrectly named boat. I asked what the issue was & he said we should have the name on the stern of the boat & it was a Belgian rule. I said we were British & were abiding by an EU rule that said we could adopt the British rules when in EU ports.
To cut a long story short we quickly wrote the yachts name on the stern in felttip pen. This wound up the senior customs officer who saw it when he walked back along the pontoon. He seemed to think we were taking the P.... He said he would consider the matter further & we could expect a possible fine..
The following day a junior officer returned to say the matter would be dropped but they had to point out the error as the TV film crew may have noticed.
On return to UK I rang RYA who gave differing replies to my query so it confused me a bit. It seems that the name condition only applies if the yacht is registered on full registry. We are registered under the small ships registry so would be OK if we displayed No. on starboard side. Which we had already done.
RYA thought Belgians had been a bit over enthusiastic.
Because I go to Oostende a lot I am going to have name put on stern & leave it at that. I do not want the agro.
"Re question from gjeffrey
Yes we were visiting Oostende last year & were waiting for friends to meet up. On the particular day in question Robert the harbour master had moved us near the yachtclub & we moored stern on as it was easier to get on & off.
The Belgian TV were doing a piece on collaberation between Dutch, Belgian & British customs in a combined operation to do with the anti drug trafficing.
The customs came to give us a call for a second time since we had arrived & asked if they could do the visit with the cameras on board. Of course we were delighted to participate. As far as I am concerened anything to do with the prevention of drug trafficing is worthy of support.
They went through all the usual formalities with the camera filming & we even had the european licence for the very pistol out. The officers had a bit of a discussion about this as it seemed they had not seen this type of licence before but I could not be sure what they were saying.
Any how as the visit came to an end a more senior officer turned up & made sure the film crew stopped . I was puzzled & he indicated to me to shut up.
After the crew had gone further down the pontoons another officer came back & said the senior one would be back to deal with the problem of incorrectly named boat. I asked what the issue was & he said we should have the name on the stern of the boat & it was a Belgian rule. I said we were British & were abiding by an EU rule that said we could adopt the British rules when in EU ports.
To cut a long story short we quickly wrote the yachts name on the stern in felttip pen. This wound up the senior customs officer who saw it when he walked back along the pontoon. He seemed to think we were taking the P.... He said he would consider the matter further & we could expect a possible fine..
The following day a junior officer returned to say the matter would be dropped but they had to point out the error as the TV film crew may have noticed.
On return to UK I rang RYA who gave differing replies to my query so it confused me a bit. It seems that the name condition only applies if the yacht is registered on full registry. We are registered under the small ships registry so would be OK if we displayed No. on starboard side. Which we had already done.
RYA thought Belgians had been a bit over enthusiastic.
Because I go to Oostende a lot I am going to have name put on stern & leave it at that. I do not want the agro.