Customs/ UKPA boardings

[puddock]

Just read an article criticising the Customs/ UKBA cutters.

Quote: However, in response to a number of letters from RYA members who have been victims of ‘stop and search’ raids at sea, the RYA has approached the Minister of State for Borders and Immigration to seek clarification of the statutory powers of the UKBA cutter crews and boarding parties.

“We are receiving an increasing number of such reports from members of the boating public who are worried about the intimidating demeanour of the UKBA cutter crews and boarding parties”, commented Gus Lewis, RYA Legal and Government Affairs Manager.

I personally have never felt in the slightest bit intimidated - been boarded twice, on one occasion I had a gallon container of white powder sitting in the cockpit (Oxalic Acid).
It makes me wonder who these people who complain actually are.
Are they the same people who complain about the amount of drugs (complete with the associated burglary/ muggings/ prostitution/ ripping apart of families etc etc) in our
society?
Are they the same people who complain about the illegal immigrants (along with associated crime - pick pockets etc).
Are they the same people who complain about the amount of illegal firearms that are being used in inner cities?

Maybe, the authorities should sit back and do nothing. No, they can't because these same people will complain "because the authorities are doing nothing".
On both occassions when Rosally was boarded, the boarding parties have been very civil and the boarding lasted no more than 10 minutes. I presume that if I had been a snooty ar*ed git, the experience may well have been less pleasant but that is human nature for you.
Maybe some people take the boardings personally or believe they are above being boarded?

 

[oldfatgit]

I look forward to my first boarding. Being professional I'd hope entails that part of their training is to treat any vessel, crew and master that they board as innocent until evidence to the contrary is provided. They have a job to do and part of that job is being polite and asking permission to come aboard as well as not damaging the boarded boat; I am not convinced of the need for them to be intimidating epically if they are in the process of keeping up with monthly/daily targets. In particular I'd be concerned if they pointed firearms from the boarding boat (covering their colleagues) without very definite justification. I have heard they do as a matter of course but such procedures should only be invoked when given a very good reason. Once boarded and all questions have been asked and answered, I will require the person in charge of the boarding party to sign an entry in my log book which will include any damage or marks (even from boots etc) that they make. I will also offer them refreshment and engage in polite small talk. If they really want to win my support though they should bring a very cute search dog, preferably a spaniel.

If they behave in an off hand, arrogant or intimidating manner, then, I am sorry, I'll complain, vociferously, as is my right. We need this service but there is only one standard which is acceptable the very highest; this includes boat handling, seamanship and application of their powers.

 

[jonjo]

Obviously the editor of Yachting Monthly does not agree with you otherwise why did a letter on this subject get "Letter of the Month" in September?

Law abiding yachtsmen are not questioning their right to stop and search at sea. The issue of debate is why do they zoom about dressed like Darth Vader storm troopers. Why on boarding a yacht with 3 retired old codgers on a coastal sail do they carry out a long interrogation with the same attitude of serious crimes officers who have just hauled in the ringleader of an international drugs syndicate.

 

[puddock]

When we were boarded, they could not have been more polite. As for pointing a gun in my general direction - I couldn't give a t*ss, have you ever experienced a drunk nigerian policeman with an AK47, looking for a christmas bonus?

Do you moan when you pass through the airport and see policemen with guns?

Just think for a minute what type of people the Customs/ UKPA are looking for. Do you think a drug smugglers reply to a request to board would be "fair cop guv" as they hold out their hands to be cuffed?
These guys do not know you. They are not singling you out.

On the other hand, if they were unduly rude or disrespectful, then yes a complaint should be made - you're paying their wages.

 

[jonjo]

Once boarded and all questions have been asked and answered, I will require the person in charge of the boarding party to sign an entry in my log book which will include any damage or marks (even from boots etc) that they make.

I think you have been watching too many reruns of Trumpton or Camberwick Green.

 

[Seven Spades]

I have no problem with border controls, what I do have a problem with is boarding parties on "domestic trips". I do not se why we should accept an invasion of our domains if the trip we are on does not involve a foreign passage.

 

[Twister_Ken]

In how many random* boardings to date have contraband goods or illegals been found?

Strikes me they may well be wasting our time and theirs (which, of course, means our money).

*not counting intelligence-led boardings.

 

[Marsupial]

being a "snooty a@*d git" is not a qualification required by the Border Agency down here to make them behave in a threatening manner, its in their nature; they dont care who you are or how you react. You would have enjoyed the bun fight here last week when we had van loads (I kid not, they filled the car park) of Border Agency people, Customs, MCA and the local police all queuing up to board a boat that the lifeboat dragged in because its mast had broken. It was like a military operation; Talk about over kill - and what did they find? NOTHING!

Its obvious (to me at least) that the recent increase in border agency activity is a tacktic to gather enough evidence to justify the imposition of eBorders requirments on leisure boaters.

 

[puddock]

I have no problem with border controls, what I do have a problem with is boarding parties on "domestic trips". I do not se why we should accept an invasion of our domains if the trip we are on does not involve a foreign passage.

What does a yacht "on a domestic trip" look like exactly?

"I do not se why we should accept an invasion of our domains if the trip we are on does not involve a foreign passage" - Thank f**k you are not in charge of National Security.

 

[puddock]

In how many random* boardings to date have contraband goods or illegals been found?

Well it would be ZERO if they never boarded any !!!

How much inconvenience does it really cause you in your sailing season? Like I said, I received nothing but politeness and courtesy and it wasted 20 minutes (total) of my time.
However, my garage was broken into by some lowlife, junkie, tax burden. This caused me much more inconvenience.

 

[puddock]

being a "snooty a@*d git" is not a qualification required by the Border Agency down here to make them behave in a threatening manner, its in their nature;

Target rich environment.............

 

[halcyon]

Just think for a minute what type of people the Customs/ UKPA are looking for. Do you think a drug smugglers reply to a request to board would be "fair cop guv" as they hold out their hands to be cuffed?

In the 1980/1990's the wife worked down Mylor yacht harbour, they and all the loacal marinas, monitored the people and boats in and out. Anyone odd was reported to customs, so you had a very good coverage. They once spotted a odd yacht in from America, and spent all winter watching the boat and owner, relaunched boat in spring. It was then tracked by customs, and intercepted when it made it's drop in Scotland. So not all drugs runner are armed to the teeth, they are quite nice couples with a nice yacht.

The other thing that stikes me now, in the old system we had 3 or 4 big drugs busts each year, either private boats, or commercial boats putting into Falmouth. It's now been years since we had 1 boat detained down here, as we still have a drugs problem, does the new system even work.


Brian

 

[puddock]

Yep, let's stop all this boarding nonsense, open the doors and let them right in the front door...

Personally, I would shoot first, ask questions later. Even if it is three old codgers out for a day sail.

 

[Marsupial]

Target rich environment.............

So you have answered your question, now you know why people complain, its a

SOFT target rich environment.

I dont really know why they behave the way they do - but they do - and anyway WHO is going to stop them?

 

[Marsupial]

Yep, let's stop all this boarding nonsense, open the doors and let them right in the front door...

Personally, I would shoot first, ask questions later. Even if it is three old codgers out for a day sail.

We HAVE and they have got as far as Downing Street! Hadrian had the right idea.

 

[puddock]

I must move to Englandshire - what a perfect and ideal World you all seem to live in. On the other hand, you may just be out of touch with reality ......

 

[jonjo]

and anyway WHO is going to stop them?

A political party that realises there is an electoral advantage to be gained by promising to roll back some of the ugly developments in New Labour's police state.

 

[Marsupial]

I must move to Englandshire - what a perfect and ideal World you all seem to live in. On the other hand, you may just be out of touch with reality ......

When you get there tell me what its like, I dont live in England

 

[electrosys]

I personally have never felt in the slightest bit intimidated - been boarded twice ...

Have you been stopped and had your car searched twice during the same period of time ? Ever thought why not ?

... on one occasion I had a gallon container of white powder sitting in the cockpit (Oxalic Acid).

So - you're saying that they are no bl##dy good at their job, then ?

Maybe some people take the boardings personally or believe they are above being boarded?

Perhaps other people don't share your enthusiasm for having a number of butch men wearing black rubber suits on board their boats ? No accounting for personal tastes ...

 

[puddock]

When you get there tell me what its like, I dont live in England

I wonder why not .......... thought you might have had a flat in Covent Garden