Customs and regulations Belgium and Holland

[benw]

I am expecting to have to fly Q flag on entry to Belgium. Is this still standard practise given all crew are UK passport holders.
I pressume we will have to clear customs once in the port via the Harbour Master/Port operations.
Any advice welcome.

 

[samwise]

Having just returned from three weeks cruising in Holland I can tell you that they are extremely relaxed about regulations ( at least in our experience).

You will not require a Q flag because you are travelling within the EC. It would be wise to prepare a Schengen form ( can be downloaded from RYA I think) that should carry details of the vessel and the crew ( names, passport numbers etc). The UK is possily the only country that has not signed the Schengen Treaty that was designed to allow free travel between member countries.

The marinas did not seem interested in the form but in Ijmuiden for example, there is a post box into which you can post your form. As I understand it, you should post another form with the same information at your port of departure ( this should include details of any crew changes).

When we left Colijnsplaat for the Roompot and home, the marina did not want to know and we were expecting the guys at the Roompot Sluis to ask for the form ( they did when we last visited) but not this time.

In our experience the Belgians can be a bit more demanding, for example if going into the Mercator in Ostend.

Red diesel can be an issue in Holland. You can only carry it in the main fuel tank and you will need to have a receipt for it. Any other containers must have road diesel.

Also check on the latest siituation re handheld VHF paperwork in Holland. In all cases the RYA website hould be able to put you on the right track.

 

[davidfox]

All as samwise has said, but last time I was in Vlissingen had customs boat beckon me over as I entered and ask for the schlengen form - i always complete one, but as i have never found anyone to hand it too, - ever. I hadnt bothered, no problem, he came aboard and filled it in himself for us sitting in the cockpit, didnt bother with Red diesel receipts (which I had) they are very relaxed about these thing in my opinion.

 

[Tranona]

I am expecting to have to fly Q flag on entry to Belgium. Is this still standard practise given all crew are UK passport holders.
I pressume we will have to clear customs once in the port via the Harbour Master/Port operations.
Any advice welcome.

Suggest you go on the RYA site and look at "Taking your boat abroad". This will give you all the information you need about what documents to carry.

 

[benw]

Thank you very useful - will check out the rya re form.
Do I need to post a form leaving Harwich for Oostende?

 

[MoodySabre]

Just turn up in Ostend. In three visits (twice this year)I have had the police visit me once - wanted to see SSR certificate and passports. Sat and filled out the Schengen form themselves - very friendly. Seems to be pot luck if you get a visit but certainly no need to pre-advise.

Follow advice about no red diesel in cans even though subject not broached by police.

 

[Koeketiene]

Follow advice about no red diesel in cans even though subject not broached by police.

In Belgium, police doesn't care about red diesel, but Customs (Douane) do.
You're bound to get a visit from customs if you order duty free from General Stores - won't see them if you don't.

 

[michael_w]

At the Roompotsluis the other day watched the Customs questioning boats heading in. The common denominator for being stopped seem to be having an "old" courtesy flag up. ie: Belgian or British.

 

[benw]

By old do you mean non EU with country flag inset?
I have standard courtesy flags ie small plain country flag non Eu'ised.

 

[Koeketiene]

By old do you mean non EU with country flag inset?

I guess by 'old' he means the courtesy ensign of your previous destination.

 

[pheran]

Don't forget that any VHF transmission, made for any reason, now MUST be made on ATIS-capable equipment with a valid ATIS code. This applies to most EU member countries. Your bog standard UK VHF set is now illegal over there. And they can be easily identified because of the absence of the FFSK data signal at the end of the message.

Also, black water discharge on Dutch inland waterways has been illegal since the start of this year

 

[Koeketiene]

Don't forget that any VHF transmission, made for any reason, now MUST be made on ATIS-capable equipment with a valid ATIS code.

ONLY on inland waterways.
Simply put: ATIS is the inland version of DSC

FWIW: the Scheldt river is considered open sea till well past Antwerp.
Even the canal Ghent-Terneuzen is classed as open sea up to Langerbrugge.

Also, black water discharge on Dutch inland waterways has been illegal since the start of this year

There have been many reports (including on here) that this is not actively enforced as there are not sufficient pumping out stations to handle all the word removed

 

[Cantata]

....I have standard courtesy flags ie small plain country flag non Eu'ised.

And that's what you should have.

 

[sailorman]

Don't forget that any VHF transmission, made for any reason, now MUST be made on ATIS-capable equipment with a valid ATIS code. This applies to most EU member countries. Your bog standard UK VHF set is now illegal over there. And they can be easily identified because of the absence of the FFSK data signal at the end of the message.

Also, black water discharge on Dutch inland waterways has been illegal since the start of this year

Total Bullox
Non dsc vhf is EXEMPT

 

[pheran]

Total Bullox
Non dsc vhf is EXEMPT

What a charming fella you are I suggest you check your facts before rubbishing others attempts to be helpful. You could start by having a look at the MBM article on the subject here http://www.motorboatsmonthly.co.uk/mbm/atis.html

Significantly, it advises

'If you have an older VHF that is not ATIS-capable then you will need to invest in a new DSC radio that can switch functions'[/i]

Or not use your illegal VHF, of course.

 

[sailorman]

What a charming fella you are I suggest you check your facts before rubbishing others attempts to be helpful. You could start by having a look at the MBM article on the subject here http://www.motorboatsmonthly.co.uk/mbm/atis.html

Significantly, it advises

'If you have an older VHF that is not ATIS-capable then you will need to invest in a new DSC radio that can switch functions'[/i]

Or not use your illegal VHF, of course.

I suggest you phone Ofcom as i did
not some 2 bit publication

 

[pheran]

There have been many reports (including on here) that this is not actively enforced as there are not sufficient pumping out stations to handle all the word removed

Certainly not true now. Trust me - we live aboard in Holland for 5/6 months of the year and we have witnessed the Dutch equivalent of our ENVAG frequently inspecting moorings and taking water samples. All major marinas and most town harbours now have more than adequate pump-out facilities and everyone, including waterside property owners seem to take a special interest in anything 'untoward' being discharged or floating by.. And why shouldn't they given the extensive leisure use that is made of the rivers, canals and lakes. Such discharges have long been illegal in the UK.

 

[Koeketiene]

You could start by having a look at the MBM article on the subject here http://www.motorboatsmonthly.co.uk/mbm/atis.html

I had to look into all this DSC/ATIS malarkey when I re-registered Guapa this Spring.

From your link

The rules of the Basel Arrangement apply to any boat entering the inland waterways of any RAINWAT signatory country, regardless of where the boat is from.

Your original post is somewhat misleading - just because you sail to Belgium/Holland does not mean having ATIS is compulsory. You can sail to Belgium/Holland all the way from Nieuwpoort to Delfzijl without being required to have ATIS.
In fact, it's illegal (!) to use an ATIS set at sea.

 

[pheran]

You can sail to Belgium/Holland all the way from Nieuwpoort to Delfzijl without being required to have ATIS.
In fact, it's illegal (!) to use an ATIS set at sea.

Only if you go round the outside and not via the inland waterways. And why would anyone go to Holland and stay coastal? There's nothing to see!!

I don't know about the use ATIS being 'illegal' at sea. All the MBM article advised was that

'The first condition is that ATIS equipment must not be used near the coasts of the UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands'

A bit less sweeping then.

 

[sailorman]

Only if you go round the outside and not via the inland waterways. And why would anyone go to Holland and stay coastal? There's nothing to see!!

I don't know about the use ATIS being 'illegal' at sea. All the MBM article advised was that

'The first condition is that ATIS equipment must not be used near the coasts of the UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands'

A bit less sweeping then.

suggest you talk to the UK official Body OFCOM for UK reg Vessels requirements