Boarded by UK Border Force

Last edited:
AntarcticPilot said:
Almost any harbour used by commercial vessels will require you to check with the local VTS before entering/leaving. On my trip down the East Coast from Inverness to Titchmarsh Marina, Peterhead and Lowestoft both required it. Some ports actively discourage yachts; for example Fraserborough. My former berth at James Watt Dock Marina on the Clyde had a technical requirement to contact Clydeport VTS, but after doing it a few times, we were informed that they weren't that bothered!
Click to expand...

When we went round Britain last year, it seemed mainly the E coast ports which required yachties to call up, with the exception of Harwich. On the south coast, once you're west of Dover the commercial ports don't want to hear from yachties. Having been based in Portsmouth harbour for a few years, and shared the entrance (albeit in the small craft channel) with a cross channel ferry on more than one occasion, it was almost comical to be told by Peterhead harbour master to motor quickly out, and not start hoisting sails until well clear, as there was a fishing boat waiting to come in.........
 
Kwik Decision said:
When we went round Britain last year, it seemed mainly the E coast ports which required yachties to call up, with the exception of Harwich. On the south coast, once you're west of Dover the commercial ports don't want to hear from yachties. Having been based in Portsmouth harbour for a few years, and shared the entrance (albeit in the small craft channel) with a cross channel ferry on more than one occasion, it was almost comical to be told by Peterhead harbour master to motor quickly out, and not start hoisting sails until well clear, as there was a fishing boat waiting to come in.........
Click to expand...

Peterhead still has a lot of commercial traffic, so they take themselves far too seriously. If you listen to the banter with fishing boats, you realise they are all good mates. Leisure traffic is just a pest....
 
Back on topic. I keep a picture of all my papers on my iPad, iPhone and laptop when sailing in UK waters. If that's not good enough then I'll have to show them at the police station like you do with car stuff.

I'll take them with me when I go to France.
 
Kwik Decision said:
On the south coast, once you're west of Dover the commercial ports don't want to hear from yachties.
Click to expand...

+1

Portsmouth requires permission to cross the main entrance channel from one side to the other, but most of the likely destinations for yachts are on the same side as the small-boat channel so the need rarely arises. Southampton doesn't want to hear from anybody less than 20m in length, and I'm not aware of anywhere else between there and Falmouth (inclusive) who expect leisure traffic to ask permission.

Pete
 
prv said:
+1

Portsmouth requires permission to cross the main entrance channel from one side to the other, but most of the likely destinations for yachts are on the same side as the small-boat channel so the need rarely arises. Southampton doesn't want to hear from anybody less than 20m in length, and I'm not aware of anywhere else between there and Falmouth (inclusive) who expect leisure traffic to ask permission.

Pete
Click to expand...

Brave little Newhaven has its obligatory Port Control. A less formal port control can't be found, the pro-words 'over', 'break break', 'top line', etc as used by Dover are all covered by 'love ya' ;)
Announcing yourself coming in to Dartmouth feels right for some obscure reason, don't know why.
 
Last edited:
Bob Stay said:
Announcing yourself coming in to Dartmouth feels right for some obscure reason, don't know why.
Click to expand...

I don't know why either, I've been in there a couple of times and it would never have occurred to me to make any sort of radio call on entry. A call to the marina for a berth once inside, by all means, if choosing that option. But not to the harbour office, no more than I'd call the Lymington harbourmaster on entering the river nor the Port of Poole while passing the chain-ferry.

Out of interest, what did they say when you called?

Pete
 
Bob Stay said:
Brave little Newhaven has its obligatory Port Control. A less formal port control can't be found, the pro-words 'over', 'break break', 'top line', etc as used by Dover are all covered by 'love ya'
Click to expand...

And of course Shoreham for passing through the locks.
 
jac said:
I think there is far too much belief in the Governments ability to track people in and out. I doubt they match people in and out as managing that data would be a huge task that would have minimal accuracy anyway.
Click to expand...

Well, my wife once fell foul of this one! We were leaving Germany after a short family visit, and my wife was held up at the passport control. It turned out that on a previous visit, she hadn't checked out by handing back the slip of paper given on her entry - so it appeared that she'd been in Germany for well over a year, and as she's a British National (Overseas), and hence not an EU citizen, it got picked up. She got a friendly warning that time, but the warning was on the lines of "don't let it happen again!" Of course, a slightly unusual passport that LOOKS like a British/EU (it's only different in the small print inside) one is more liable to get checked and/or slip through the checks, but they do keep track of people.

The checks are surprisingly effective - I was amazed that they picked up something like that.
 
Bob Stay said:
Brave little Newhaven has its obligatory Port Control. A less formal port control can't be found, the pro-words 'over', 'break break', 'top line', etc as used by Dover are all covered by 'love ya' ;)
Announcing yourself coming in to Dartmouth feels right for some obscure reason, don't know why.
Click to expand...

Really? I've been sailing out of Newhaven (on and off) for 30 years and I don't think I've ever had the VHF on as the visual signals are so clear. Must listen out one day.
 
At last, At last - you did say 'charming' & 'well mannered' didn't you ?

Well they really are listening.

I was invited to an interview in March by the Boarder Agency at Portcullis House, Poole Port.

I had sent them a response to their 'billet-doux' that arrived via the Weymouth and Portland Cruising Association.

I explained how they would have to change the manner of their boardings if they really were going to get the cooperation of yacht crews.

Well, now then, they really were listening.


Bravo the Boarder Agency - now we all can perhaps be the extra EYES & EARS they were asking for !
 
RupertW said:
Really? I've been sailing out of Newhaven (on and off) for 30 years and I don't think I've ever had the VHF on as the visual signals are so clear. Must listen out one day.
Click to expand...

Perhaps you should, because sometimes the visual signals instruct you to call on the VHF ;)
 
dom said:
I was boarded on Saturday by the UK Border Force about 10m east of Start Point. Two officers from a rib came on board and the rib then stood off at about 50m, with the mother ship hanging back about 150m.

Wonder if they were the same chaps, boarded about 4m W. of Portland Bill on Saturday afternoon making our way to Wootten Creek to see my brother. Similar experience, boarded by two chaps, very pleasant. Quick search of the boat, took some details briefly went through the boats paperwork etc.
Click to expand...
 
Off the border force topic but re calling up on the radio - DO give Brighton Marina a quick call on VHF ch 80 before entering at the moment- there's quite a collection of 'big boats' here including dredgers, barges, jack-up rigs, tugs etc etc and they leave precious little room when in the entrance channel and fairways. Or keep a keen listening watch on ch 80 or 37 - the marina are making announcements for every movement and to say which is the safe side to pass.
 
salignac said:
Wonder if they were the same chaps, boarded about 4m W. of Portland Bill on Saturday afternoon making our way to Wootten Creek to see my brother. Similar experience, boarded by two chaps, very pleasant. Quick search of the boat, took some details briefly went through the boats paperwork etc.
Click to expand...

Probably!

@STATUE: fully agree with your 'eyes' and 'ears' comments
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top