Channel Virgin

[wiggy]

What flags do i need to display as I enter France from UK, boat is SSR'd.
Also do I need to do any paperwork apart from passage plan befor I go for customs etc, what boat paper work do I need to take with me. Please help I am a Channel crossing virgin.

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[mainshiptom]

I would make sure you have ownership papers ? (invoice or bill of sale )
Proof of VAT
RAdio license
You should fly a red ensign on the back and a small flag of france midship.

Have a plan and altrnative plan in case of ( change of plan ie someone does not feel well and you cut the trip short ?)

Check the forecast !

Check tide and opening of lock on all ports which you might approch !

Have a good time and keep saftey in mind !


I

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[jimi]

Passports
Insurance
Ownership Certificate (Original)
Radio Licences
Proof of VAT paid status

French flag s/b flown fron Starboard spreader
Nice if a lobal flag eg Normady one is flown beneath it
Its usual to keep the UK Ensign up all the time whilst abroad

Hope that helps

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[snowleopard]

sorry, have to disagree with the other posters.

you absolutely must have registration certificate (part 1 or 3) and crew passports. the rest are nice-to-have.

as for flags, fly the french courtesy flag and your red ensign (or blue if entitled). don't fly 'Q'.

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[wildthyme]

Heed what other respondents have said, but don't worry too much, the French have been very easy-going in my 3 trips there by yacht. Only saw Customs once, and that was when we moored next to the ferry terminal at Roscoff - and then they were very polite and easily satisfied by our registration document. At St Quay Portrieux the marina staff told us no-one ever bothers the Customs when they arrive from the Channel Isles, as we had done, even though technically one should.

<hr width=100% size=1>P J Bartlett

 

[tcm]

um, if the boat isn't yours, permish/charter/explanation from whoever is on the SSSR?

Also insurance - won't some marinas be a bit iffy if no insuarance? Tho agree not "essential"

And passport. However, i was told to naff off from cherbourg, they laughed when i turned up with all the papers, just wanted the berthing fee and that's that.



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[TRH]

Hi go to the Motor Boat Chat, Page 2 Heading Fined 150 euros this will answer all your questions.

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[oldsalt]

You must have (but not normally checked, however if you do get checked, and fail expect a hefty fine): Registration such as SSR (totally essential). UK ensign (blue if a snob!). French courtesy flag from starboard spreader. Passports.

I have been checked twice by French customs and the SSR and passports was all that they required. They are very heavy on registration so don't go without it.

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[LadyInBed]

Just read the MoBo thread, and am surprised at the general lack of knowledge of what is required to ‘go foreign’.
But having now looked on the RYA web site at What documentation do I need to ‘go foreign’? I can understand the confusion. It is not laid out very clearly as to what is ‘required’ and what is ‘nice to have’.
i.e.
Registration – You must have on board the original registration document, photocopies are not acceptable.
They do not expand on what is a registration document.

Marine Insurance cover note – insurance for boats is more or less compulsory nowadays
That’s a bit wishy washy, is it a required document or not.

VAT – proof of VAT paid on the boat does is not formally part of the Ship’s papers, but may be required by custom’s officials within the EU.
Well, not quite a YES or NO just a maybe.

Passport – Every crew member on board requires a passport.
Ah! A definite YES

International Certificate of Competence (ICC) – it is important to check whether you need an ICC before you leave the UK
Ho Hum, they are sitting on the fence on this one.

Lets hope that “Foreign Cruising Vols 1&2” are a little more explicit.


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[BrendanS]

Not entirely true Nigel.

Most of the Mobo's on the forum know exactly what's required. They should do, the subject comes up often enough. There were a couple of newbie type people in the thread who had never done the trip and were asking questions, that's all.

You already know the answers, but for anyone who doesn't, and is planning on visiting France

Registration – You must have on board the original registration document, photocopies are not acceptable.
They do not expand on what is a registration document.
Part I or Part III (SSR) are the UK registration documents. The SSR is the quickest and easiest to get as it doesn't involve anything other than filling in a form and sending a cheque, then putting the SSR number on your transom. Also cheaper. The only reason that the SSR scheme appears to exist, is to provide Brits with official paperwork to show French customs. Part I is usually required if you have a marine mortgage or big boat.

Marine Insurance cover note – insurance for boats is more or less compulsory nowadays
That’s a bit wishy washy, is it a required document or not.
If you're paranoid, you might as well include it, but not essential. As an example, in theory, all UK marinas may ask you to provide proof of insurance before they'll let you use the marina, but as everyone knows, it never happens.

VAT – proof of VAT paid on the boat does is not formally part of the Ship’s papers, but may be required by custom’s officials within the EU.
Well, not quite a YES or NO just a maybe.
A definite yes. Original, not copy

Passport – Every crew member on board requires a passport.
Ah! A definite YES
yep

International Certificate of Competence (ICC) – it is important to check whether you need an ICC before you leave the UK
Ho Hum, they are sitting on the fence on this one.
Not required if visiting coastal areas, ports and marinas. If you are going inland, river or canal, you have to have an ICC.






<hr width=100% size=1>Err, let me know if Depsol enters the forum, I'll go and hide

 

[david_bagshaw]

If going inland as in canaling wont a cevni be needed as well?

<hr width=100% size=1>David
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.euroboating.net>http://www.euroboating.net</A>

 

[BrendanS]

Yes. A theory exam with 14 multi choice answers about lights and signals you are likely to encounter. Essential if going inland

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[DeeGee]

Point not made entirely clear is that you do not need to 'go for Customs', unless you have non-EU nationals aboard (even that caveat is not strictly true, but you may have a nasty allergic reaction if they do check on you and you have such nationals, all to do with first port of entry). They will come to you if they want to do a spot check, and in my experience they are quite nice guys in a bland sort of way. Try to speak French, they will switch to English. Docs are covered (too many times) above. /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Black Sugar - the sweetest of all

 

[duncan]

I understood CEVNI is an endorsement on the ICC; and you must carry the regs onboard at all times when on the inland waterways

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[snowleopard]

spot checks are becoming common, especially in the dover straits area, we were boarded and searched in boulogne in november.

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[zefender]

Re: Channel tart worries

Anyone know if the home port still has to be printed on the transom? I've never been stopped because of not having it (but I do carry nasty self-adhesive letters just i case!)

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[snowleopard]

Re: Channel tart worries

it's not the home port, it's the port of registry and only applies to part 1 registered boats. SSR registered boats have no port of registry.

incidentally the lack of details on an SSR certificate can cause confusion abroad. apart from port of registry, customs forms abroad often ask for gross and registered tonnages which of course aren't measured for registration.

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[vyv_cox]

Proof of Vat paid - original

What is your source of information for this statement? I have never read any official instruction to this effect. Cruising Association and RYA don't appear to endorse it. In practice this requirement would be almost impossible for any second-hand boat built more than a few years ago when VAT record inspections first arrived on the scene.

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[BrendanS]

Re: Proof of Vat paid - original

It's advice that is given on many many sites, including ybw <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/mbm/buysafe/new/buysaf_n_12.html>http://www.ybw.com/mbm/buysafe/new/buysaf_n_12.html</A>
"However, it is essential to keep the original receipted VAT invoice, in additional to the Bill of Sale, amongst your ship's papers, as proof of payment in case your cruising takes you to other countries, and to pass on to any subsequent owners."

I've never gone looking for any regulations, or worried about what the RYA or CA have to say on the matter, as it's a simple fact that French officials don't like photocopies (have a look at the recent post in MoBo by Tigerman). Surely it's just easier to take the original than face and arguement with french customs and a possible fine.

As for boats without proof of vat paid, they may well get away with a bill of sale?

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[homa]

On top of all that's been mentioned do not forget travel insurance and in particular an E111 form - this is FREE from any main Post Office in the UK & enables you to claim back (in UK) cost of any medical expenses abroad.
Have a nice trip.........

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