Sailfree
Well-Known Member
Having posted on here that I have never been stopped by either French or UK customs for some 12 yrs they obviously thought they needed to do something about it!
So last Friday they waited some 10mls S of the Needles and 4 of them dressed up in black combat gear boarded me.
Very polite but difficult to establish their purpose. After my reply that only 2 persons on board one went below and then appeared to be told off in that he was to "secure" the ship and not start searching. I took this to mean to warn if the 50 or so illegal immigrants we had hidden in the cooker came out with knives to attack them.
Chief officer insisted that I inspected her ID card which gave me the impression that she was very proud of it as it Obviously came as a complete surprise to us that 4 people dressed in black otfits marked Customs, coming from a rib clearly marked customs and the accompaning large grey customs boat called "Searcher" was surprise surprise - Customs officers - whatever next - we will have policemen getting out of police patrol cars.
Took down our details, asked us for our ID, was really pleased that I had the original receipt for the boat even though as a charter boat I had claimed back the VAT! As a charter boat we have a file of all essential documents including Bill of Sale and certificate of conformity but I got the impression they were a little unsure of all the documentations relevance. I produced our log. They asked could they search the boat - which 1st man had started before being told off. No problems. Admitted I had 9 cases of wine on board - I had to have a seriously talk to my crew after as there were only 6 left and 2 cases of beer - very disappointing!
They took the time to explain that they would soon be part of homeland security.
Conclusions - a very polite bunch they livened up an otherwise boring trip. Not sure of their purpose though. They did seem to be questioning us and more interested in our responses (now what way do my eyes go when I am lying). Ultimately I suspect they were checking us for drugs (search was not thorough enough to discover any hidden - if we had been drug runners) and making sure that the alcohol was for personal consumption (they seemed more relaxed when we said no spirits as I never drink spirits and no cigarettes).
They then shot off after the next sailing boat some 2 mls S of us to liven us their day!.
At least it ensures that some people still have jobs in GB's Britain!
So last Friday they waited some 10mls S of the Needles and 4 of them dressed up in black combat gear boarded me.
Very polite but difficult to establish their purpose. After my reply that only 2 persons on board one went below and then appeared to be told off in that he was to "secure" the ship and not start searching. I took this to mean to warn if the 50 or so illegal immigrants we had hidden in the cooker came out with knives to attack them.
Chief officer insisted that I inspected her ID card which gave me the impression that she was very proud of it as it Obviously came as a complete surprise to us that 4 people dressed in black otfits marked Customs, coming from a rib clearly marked customs and the accompaning large grey customs boat called "Searcher" was surprise surprise - Customs officers - whatever next - we will have policemen getting out of police patrol cars.
Took down our details, asked us for our ID, was really pleased that I had the original receipt for the boat even though as a charter boat I had claimed back the VAT! As a charter boat we have a file of all essential documents including Bill of Sale and certificate of conformity but I got the impression they were a little unsure of all the documentations relevance. I produced our log. They asked could they search the boat - which 1st man had started before being told off. No problems. Admitted I had 9 cases of wine on board - I had to have a seriously talk to my crew after as there were only 6 left and 2 cases of beer - very disappointing!
They took the time to explain that they would soon be part of homeland security.
Conclusions - a very polite bunch they livened up an otherwise boring trip. Not sure of their purpose though. They did seem to be questioning us and more interested in our responses (now what way do my eyes go when I am lying). Ultimately I suspect they were checking us for drugs (search was not thorough enough to discover any hidden - if we had been drug runners) and making sure that the alcohol was for personal consumption (they seemed more relaxed when we said no spirits as I never drink spirits and no cigarettes).
They then shot off after the next sailing boat some 2 mls S of us to liven us their day!.
At least it ensures that some people still have jobs in GB's Britain!
