Hurricane
Well-Known Member
The following was posted recently on our marina forum
This yachtie friend of mine has been cruising the Med since 2004 with no inspections.
And all his paperwork was correct and available.
But how many of us have become a bit relaxed over the years and don't have all our paperwork to hand.
I often leave my ICC (which I personally consider an inappropriate document) at home for example.
I have just reviewed all JWs (and my) documents in case we should get a similar boarding.
Actually all the docs are there but it does no harm to review them occasionally.
For example, how many boats in the Med carry an actual VHF licence?
Maybe others reading this should check their docs.
I hope this is helpful
Anyway, this is my friend's story.
An interesting experience today aboard Amathus Esprit around 13.15hrs direction Valencia having left Las Fuentes earlier. On approaching the anchorage area off Castellon the day was a little dull weather wise but soon to get a bit more exciting. Wind at around 8 knots from the east was giving us a beam reach but not making good way so I engaged a little help from the donkey and ticked over at around 1500 rpm to give me a decent passage making speed. It was steady 8.6 through the water with an SOG of 7.8. Radio up in the cockpit on watch channel 16. Crew (Carolyn) lazing in bikini even though sun was not out. I had a jumper and shorts on because it was a little nippy for me.( wait for the relevance of this disclosure).
Saw nothing but suddenly from behind the genoa came a launch at a massive speed. Heading right for mid ships of AE. I looked at them with my best disapproving face; Carolyn waved at them like the fellow boaters she imagined had just tuned up. immediately we recognised the Spanish Customs. When you have nothing to hide then you feel ok don't you? Well you don't. they tried to shout to me but wind no engines made this an impossible method of communication. They then called a female officer from below who I understood later to be English speaking. still no good for me as her little voice was drowned out even worse. I picked up the cockpit radio mike and waved its about; yep, the intention was noted and the woman spoke on Ch16. "Hello, can you hear me", Spanish Authorities, this is Amathus Esprit, I read you with no problem, which channel would you like please, over"? "This one, 16...", "erm, ok, if that is your preference go ahead please, over", Silence, then after some confused discussion on their boat came another instruction. "Channel 6", "this is Amathus Esprit to channel 6, that is Zero six, await your call, Amathus Esprit out. I switched Channel, nothing. boat then went to my stern and I saw two storm troopers in Black and with their helmets on and all the fenders go out over their port side. Radio then came, "hello, you hear me... Blah,blah ( to save me telling all about the full conversation) "we put two officers on your boat starboard side ok". They did mean business. I suggested that I stop the engine and heave to. That was not understood so I suggested to take in all sail s we were leeward and healing to the starboard. That may have been awkward for boarding.
Meanwhile Carolyn thinks that she would like to go and get her clothes on but we decided it best not to disappear down below for fear of giving the impression that we may appear to be destroying "evidence". The boarding was done professionally and quickly. All they said was "we are Customs, your ship papers and log please with passports". carolyn went to get them and grabbed a T shirt for modesty purposes.
They were interested in the RYA qualification certificates.. ICCs mainly.they compared these to the passports. They also inspected insurance and in particular the Spanish Translation of the paperwork. they looked at the Bill of Sale and VAT certificate and also the builders certificate. Everything was recorded. They wanted to see our passage plan and record. We said nothing unless they asked us and left them writing it all down.They then asked if it was our first time in Spain? We showed the logbook today that we were regular sailors here. They asked if we owned any property in Spain. Then came the inspection below - lucky that the missus keeps a spotless yacht. They did a cabin inspection and then commented that the boat was very nice and very clean and tidy.
Last was the instruction, "you sign" so I did sign the paper and he gave me a copy. One was very keen to point out that he was happy and that the inspection was very good and thanks for our co-operation and the order of everything. The other one said, nice boat and "thank you have very nice holidays".
They called their boat and Carolyn saw them off by opening out side gates to escort them off our piece of England. They waved as they went off to another poor sod stopped in their track further down the coast.
We felt well respected and safe with these people and they were extremely warm and polite to us. So if it happens to you don't worry. You need all your documents In order or they will put you into a port for an inspection which is inconvenient. The whole thing took 45 minutes all done and dusted. We felt confident that we are in order and they were satisfied so some good came of it.
Not too sure that the guns were welcome on board but you don't have a choice on that. Broke up the long passage to Valencia though and the missus has now learned to keep her shorts with her in the cockpit in case of emergencies in future.
This yachtie friend of mine has been cruising the Med since 2004 with no inspections.
And all his paperwork was correct and available.
But how many of us have become a bit relaxed over the years and don't have all our paperwork to hand.
I often leave my ICC (which I personally consider an inappropriate document) at home for example.
I have just reviewed all JWs (and my) documents in case we should get a similar boarding.
Actually all the docs are there but it does no harm to review them occasionally.
For example, how many boats in the Med carry an actual VHF licence?
Maybe others reading this should check their docs.
I hope this is helpful
Anyway, this is my friend's story.
An interesting experience today aboard Amathus Esprit around 13.15hrs direction Valencia having left Las Fuentes earlier. On approaching the anchorage area off Castellon the day was a little dull weather wise but soon to get a bit more exciting. Wind at around 8 knots from the east was giving us a beam reach but not making good way so I engaged a little help from the donkey and ticked over at around 1500 rpm to give me a decent passage making speed. It was steady 8.6 through the water with an SOG of 7.8. Radio up in the cockpit on watch channel 16. Crew (Carolyn) lazing in bikini even though sun was not out. I had a jumper and shorts on because it was a little nippy for me.( wait for the relevance of this disclosure).
Saw nothing but suddenly from behind the genoa came a launch at a massive speed. Heading right for mid ships of AE. I looked at them with my best disapproving face; Carolyn waved at them like the fellow boaters she imagined had just tuned up. immediately we recognised the Spanish Customs. When you have nothing to hide then you feel ok don't you? Well you don't. they tried to shout to me but wind no engines made this an impossible method of communication. They then called a female officer from below who I understood later to be English speaking. still no good for me as her little voice was drowned out even worse. I picked up the cockpit radio mike and waved its about; yep, the intention was noted and the woman spoke on Ch16. "Hello, can you hear me", Spanish Authorities, this is Amathus Esprit, I read you with no problem, which channel would you like please, over"? "This one, 16...", "erm, ok, if that is your preference go ahead please, over", Silence, then after some confused discussion on their boat came another instruction. "Channel 6", "this is Amathus Esprit to channel 6, that is Zero six, await your call, Amathus Esprit out. I switched Channel, nothing. boat then went to my stern and I saw two storm troopers in Black and with their helmets on and all the fenders go out over their port side. Radio then came, "hello, you hear me... Blah,blah ( to save me telling all about the full conversation) "we put two officers on your boat starboard side ok". They did mean business. I suggested that I stop the engine and heave to. That was not understood so I suggested to take in all sail s we were leeward and healing to the starboard. That may have been awkward for boarding.
Meanwhile Carolyn thinks that she would like to go and get her clothes on but we decided it best not to disappear down below for fear of giving the impression that we may appear to be destroying "evidence". The boarding was done professionally and quickly. All they said was "we are Customs, your ship papers and log please with passports". carolyn went to get them and grabbed a T shirt for modesty purposes.
They were interested in the RYA qualification certificates.. ICCs mainly.they compared these to the passports. They also inspected insurance and in particular the Spanish Translation of the paperwork. they looked at the Bill of Sale and VAT certificate and also the builders certificate. Everything was recorded. They wanted to see our passage plan and record. We said nothing unless they asked us and left them writing it all down.They then asked if it was our first time in Spain? We showed the logbook today that we were regular sailors here. They asked if we owned any property in Spain. Then came the inspection below - lucky that the missus keeps a spotless yacht. They did a cabin inspection and then commented that the boat was very nice and very clean and tidy.
Last was the instruction, "you sign" so I did sign the paper and he gave me a copy. One was very keen to point out that he was happy and that the inspection was very good and thanks for our co-operation and the order of everything. The other one said, nice boat and "thank you have very nice holidays".
They called their boat and Carolyn saw them off by opening out side gates to escort them off our piece of England. They waved as they went off to another poor sod stopped in their track further down the coast.
We felt well respected and safe with these people and they were extremely warm and polite to us. So if it happens to you don't worry. You need all your documents In order or they will put you into a port for an inspection which is inconvenient. The whole thing took 45 minutes all done and dusted. We felt confident that we are in order and they were satisfied so some good came of it.
Not too sure that the guns were welcome on board but you don't have a choice on that. Broke up the long passage to Valencia though and the missus has now learned to keep her shorts with her in the cockpit in case of emergencies in future.
