Koeketiene
Well-known member
In my long and happy experience there most of their time is spent finding ways around regulations!
In a nutshell
In my long and happy experience there most of their time is spent finding ways around regulations!
In my long and happy experience there most of their time is spent finding ways around regulations!
OK it seems that most of you believe I am wrong, well time will tell.
It may be that its worse inland rather than on the coast, another DBA member was warned last week.
Around 10/5/11, a Westerly Konsort Duo was fined euro 750 offshore Belgium for having red diesel in their tank in spite of having a tax receipt. This was in territorial waters, not in harbour.
How old was the letter & did he have tax said receipts
Unfortunately that's all the information I have, however IIRC it was attributed to a fellow east coast forumite so he might be able to provide some further details.
I think that would be German.Its also in Dutch, Belgian and French
Well I am off in a couple of weeks so will take my chances, have all the reciepts and have printed off this letter from the RYA to take with me.
http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectio...ating Abroad/EUCommLetterandTrans30Sept08.pdf
Its also in Dutch, German and French
I understood it was for safety reasons in the North of Scotland in particular. In the more remote areas the only supplies of diesel are red for the fishing-often the nearest garages are 20-30 miles away! When I sailed in the far North I found this to be so. No marinas, no pumps. Trying to fill a small tank from a bowser meant for trawlers was messy to say the least!I understood the main reason for only having red diesel available was that many fuel berths sell to both private and commercial users. They would therefore need to double up on the facilities including new tanks. In addition, we can not put white in our tanks if the boat is in a marina as we have all agreed to not fill tanks except at a fuel berth and we can only get white diesel in cans from a garage. If the RYA is correct, then surely the Belgian position is state sponsored piracy by illegally demanding money, presumably with menaces. Are the officials on commission?
It looks as though there is a battle developing between Belgium customs and HM Government with yachties caught in the middle.
http://www.rya.org.uk/cruising/curr...gianauthorities’actionsinfiningUKboaters.aspx
If your luck is out no amount of paperwork is going to save you from a large fine. Personally I'm staying away until the situation is resolved.
why not do somethingf typically Eurpoean and votre with our keels....simply don't go to Belgium, it's not that appealing anyway!