diesel in france -

[piewacket]

anyone been to France lately? what happens with checks.... I have a tank full of red diesel with no receipts as the boat is new to me -
can I top up with jerry can from car forecourt and produce that (this is my preferred way of top up as we are on swinging mooring) or do I need to go into marina and buy some red diesel and get receipt to show )
thanks .....

 

[EdWingfield]

No checks on Gazole. It seems to be a non issue now. I was asked to show Certificate of Registry at Boulogne.

 

[Daydream believer]

I was in Boulogne on 02 June & there were several UK yachts plus Dutch & Belgian there. I was the only one targeted by french customs. Had 3 officers aboard. All very polite & friendly. Looked at all papers . Usual questions- where was I going etc. They immediately gave boat a pretty thorough search. Up ended my bedding etc. Opened bags . Searched lockers, Used torches to search around engine area etc. Lifted bunk cushions to look under. Used radio to check passport details & other details I gave them. Looked at Insurance,VAT, SSR etc. (They also looked at my ICC - which past customs officers have looked at before in France & everyone on the forum tells me it is not needed in France unless going in canals- I must be the only one), Life raft service cert. But not flares, which were in date anyway. I think I saw one of them looking at the dial on the fire extinguisher over the cooker!!!, although it was awkward as another was asking a question at the time.
They made the comment that I seemed very relaxed about it all. They all took turns in asking questions & all seemed to study me carefully as i replied to each one
They were on board for 1 hour & 5 mins
They never once mentioned fuel

 

[Sybarite]

I was in Boulogne on 02 June & there were several UK yachts plus Dutch & Belgian there. I was the only one targeted by french customs. Had 3 officers aboard. All very polite & friendly. Looked at all papers . Usual questions- where was I going etc. They immediately gave boat a pretty thorough search. Up ended my bedding etc. Opened bags . Searched lockers, Used torches to search around engine area etc. Lifted bunk cushions to look under. Used radio to check passport details & other details I gave them. Looked at Insurance,VAT, SSR etc. (They also looked at my ICC - which past customs officers have looked at before in France & everyone on the forum tells me it is not needed in France unless going in canals- I must be the only one), Life raft service cert. But not flares, which were in date anyway. I think I saw one of them looking at the dial on the fire extinguisher over the cooker!!!, although it was awkward as another was asking a question at the time.
They made the comment that I seemed very relaxed about it all. They all took turns in asking questions & all seemed to study me carefully as i replied to each one
They were on board for 1 hour & 5 mins
They never once mentioned fuel

Your log book should be consistent with your story about red diesel.

 

[han34]

Customs came on board two weeks ago in Concarneau. Just wanted to see boat registration and passports. They made a phonecall to check passports. Onboard for about fifteen minutes and gave us a form to show any future customs. This is the third time in the last ten years and the procedure has always been the same. Fuel has never been mentioned.

 

[sailorman]

I was in Boulogne on 02 June & there were several UK yachts plus Dutch & Belgian there. I was the only one targeted by french customs. Had 3 officers aboard. All very polite & friendly. Looked at all papers . Usual questions- where was I going etc. They immediately gave boat a pretty thorough search. Up ended my bedding etc. Opened bags . Searched lockers, Used torches to search around engine area etc. Lifted bunk cushions to look under. Used radio to check passport details & other details I gave them. Looked at Insurance,VAT, SSR etc. (They also looked at my ICC - which past customs officers have looked at before in France & everyone on the forum tells me it is not needed in France unless going in canals- I must be the only one), Life raft service cert. But not flares, which were in date anyway. I think I saw one of them looking at the dial on the fire extinguisher over the cooker!!!, although it was awkward as another was asking a question at the time.
They made the comment that I seemed very relaxed about it all. They all took turns in asking questions & all seemed to study me carefully as i replied to each one
They were on board for 1 hour & 5 mins
They never once mentioned fuel

Were they trainees being tested

 

[Tidewaiter2]

Were they trainees being tested

It's a Thursday, 02/06- Boulogne Cutter crew changeover day is Friday

 

[sailorman]

It's a Thursday, 02/06- Boulogne Cutter crew changeover day is Friday

we have had the Cutter crew o/b too, cant remember ant issues & in those days would have been on red as well

 

[EdWingfield]

I believe (altho I don't know) that Dutch/Belgium/French authorities have access to a common database.

So, in theory, you should only be checked once per year, unless you are doing something you shouldn't.

I got boarded in a Belgium marina. Then, weeks later at sea a French Cutter arrived at speed. They asked me a few questions over the radio whilst shadowing me. After 10mins they wished me safe sailing and sped off.

So, if anyone else wants to board I will produce the log book and show the days of previous checks, and ask them to, Sir, please check your database.

 

[Daydream believer]

Your log book should be consistent with your story about red diesel.

It is & it also has the copy of the form they left showing a record of the visit & confirmation of the search

 

[Daydream believer]

Were they trainees being tested

I do not believe that to be the case.

 

[Sybarite]

I was in Boulogne on 02 June & there were several UK yachts plus Dutch & Belgian there. I was the only one targeted by french customs. Had 3 officers aboard. All very polite & friendly. Looked at all papers . Usual questions- where was I going etc. They immediately gave boat a pretty thorough search. Up ended my bedding etc. Opened bags . Searched lockers, Used torches to search around engine area etc. Lifted bunk cushions to look under. Used radio to check passport details & other details I gave them. Looked at Insurance,VAT, SSR etc. (They also looked at my ICC - which past customs officers have looked at before in France & everyone on the forum tells me it is not needed in France unless going in canals- I must be the only one), Life raft service cert. But not flares, which were in date anyway. I think I saw one of them looking at the dial on the fire extinguisher over the cooker!!!, although it was awkward as another was asking a question at the time.
They made the comment that I seemed very relaxed about it all. They all took turns in asking questions & all seemed to study me carefully as i replied to each one
They were on board for 1 hour & 5 mins
They never once mentioned fuel

They should not have examined your sleeping quarters. They need a court order to do that. Did they ask you first?

 

[Daydream believer]

They should not have examined your sleeping quarters. They need a court order to do that. Did they ask you first?

No, they just said that they wanted to have a look round, they did not ask as such. I did not object & would not have done so to a specific request.
I find your statement odd. If I had something untoward aboard are you suggesting that I can place it in my bed & deny them access ?
I cannot really see that as being a likely scenario. But then each country has different rules.
I believe there are also rules in some countries about being invited aboard & i did not actually "invite" them aboard. They just said "Hello" & came aboard as if I had invited them. Once again I would not have objected but I did point out that I had just served up my meal & they said that it was Ok I could carry on eating. However, I lost half my meal as it went cold as I had to keep stopping to find papers & answer questions & move to allow them to move about the boat & explain things like how to open lockers & turn on lights in the heads & the aft cabin etc

 

[Daedelus]

Just got back from Cherbourg and apart from making a tour of a French Gendarmerie patrol boat with a very pleasant crew member who really worked hard at his English didn't see a soul who was the slightest interested.

The marina was reasonably keen to get it's fees but that was it.