Mr Googler
Well-Known Member
I'm guessing this will be required for IOM and Ireland too.
not the Isle of Man......part of UK customs union and was never in the EU as a member anyway.
Ireland.....yes I would say
Brexit Formalities for Cross Channel Boaters
- Thread starter [2068]
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not the Isle of Man......part of UK customs union and was never in the EU as a member anyway.
Ireland.....yes I would say
[178529]
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So coming back to paglesham will be a nightmare.
I think this will accelerate my moving the boat to La Trinité plans.
I think this will accelerate my moving the boat to La Trinité plans.
Robin
Well-Known Member
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Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Yes this does take me back to the early '90s when I first started boating in the Solent and crossed the Channel regularly. Yes you were supposed to hoist a Q flag on your return. Sometimes I did, sometimes I forgot. One thing was for sure. No gun toting customs officer ever came bounding down the pontoon on sighting our Q flag to check us for drugs and illegal immigrants and I suspect it will be pretty much the same in the future. Is Border Force really going to be bothered when hundreds of UK boats return from France and the CI on an August Bank Holiday Monday? Nope they're not. They've got more important things to worry about. As some of you know, I'm certainly no fan of Brexit but I dont see these new procedures as being a particular impediment to planning a weekend in Cherbourg
What would concern me more are the entry and exit procedures in France though. If that involves a physical visit to a customs office somewhere on the other side of town in a designated port of entry, both on entry and exit, then that is going to be a real PITA. Not only will these offices operate according to French working hours but they might ask for all sorts of documents like reg document, passports etc. My inclination would be just to ignore it all and dont bother until somebody pulls you up about it
This reminds me a bit of our time in the Adriatic before Croatia joined the EU. We used to moor our boat in Italy for the winter and Croatia in the summer. We used to shuttle the boat back and forth between Italy and Croatia and, in the beginning, I just didnt realise that you were supposed to check in/out with Italian and Croatian customs when you did that. In fact it was only after a chance conversation with another forumite that I understood what we were supposed to do. Anyway the point is that we never got challenged or arrested and no gunships took pot shots at us at sea. I suspect, once the dust settles, the customs procedures for cross Channel boating on both sides of the Channel will be similarly optional
st599
Well-Known Member
For one type of cross channel boating, perhaps. I skipper for a club, we do crew changes in France. The crew will either be arriving via Eurostar/ferry or departing that way. If we don't check in or out, then they'll either leave with their 90 day clock running and be marked as overstaying or arrive at the Ferry terminal to be found to have not arrived correctly.
Similar for RYA Instructors I've talked to running courses offering milebuilders.
[178529]
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So races that skip out of the 12 mile zone will need a q flag??
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Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Yes but thats not quite the same as a single private boat nipping across the Channel for a weekend
[2068]
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The Border Agency patrol boats have got very good radar.
My guess would be they will take zero interest in a boat that skips in and out the zone in that way.
On the other hand if you've come across from Cherbourg and go straight past the patrol towards Portsmouth Harbour without the flag, and if it's a quiet day where they are really bored, they might decide to practice launching the RIB. On a busy day, I can't see this being enforced in any meaningful way.
IDAMAY
Well-Known Member
Yes this does take me back to the early '90s when I first started boating in the Solent and crossed the Channel regularly.
Exactly my experience in the eighties and early 90s. We followed the letter of the regs at the time but were never once visited by Customs. We were once boarded off Salcombe whilst on passage from Falmouth to Dartmouth but I think the Border Force were a bit bored that day. My SWMBO asked the officer to remove his shoes before going into the saloon. He declined, pointing out that they were attached to the rest of his suit.
I don`t remember the process being much of a bind and I still have the Q flag!
Badvisor
N/A
Nobody's going to be interested in small boats crossing the channel. They didn't bother back in the seventies so why should they bother now?
oldgit
Well-Known Member
The skipper was not able to gouge each passenger for about £10k per one way trip in those days ?
Badvisor
N/A
Is it that much? Wow. There's a thought.
[2068]
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To check that you are not a French fisherman?
Lucky Duck
Well-Known Member
Just seen a NTM on this subject from Lymington Harbour
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[2068]
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Edit: Wibble
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Lucky Duck
Well-Known Member
That's a direct contradiction to what I was sent by the Chichester Harbour Conservancy!
Also the Government website:
Notice 8: sailing your pleasure craft to and from the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Do I need to fly the yellow ‘Q’ flag?
If you are arriving from outside the UK (and this includes the Channel Islands) you must fly the ‘Q’ flag, where it can readily be seen, as soon as you enter UK waters (the 12 mile limit). Do not take down the flag until you have finished reporting to the customs authorities. Failure to comply will make you liable to a penalty. If you are arriving from an EU member state into Northern Ireland, there is no need to fly the ‘Q’ flag.
Apologies I misread their email on my phone, will edit my last post accordingly
Blue Sunray
Well-Known Member
No, neither has or will traffic coming through the Dover Straits from/to all over.
The Innocent Passage in the UN Convention.
Ningaloo
Well-Known Member
Because you'll be treated as an illegal immigrant, fined and deported with a bar from re-entry if you are stopped by EU officials without having a stamp in your passport.
I agree that there will be less interest in local boats returning from EU, however EU is taking Schengen security seriously. Things will be come more automated after ETIAS in late 2022. This will make it easier to check-in/out online but also make it easier for you to get checked/caught.
Bouba
Well-Known Member
All those motoboaters with their trawler style boat are regretting their choice now
[2068]
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The rush started here:
