Dunkirk Formalities

[dolabriform]

We've just come back from Nieupoort. Passport control is located in the marina to the left as you enter ( can't remember the name, sorry ).
They are open from 0700 to 1900, and are really helpful.

 

[oldgit]

Last time we went to the Dunkerque commemorations in 2015 seemed to recall we stocked up the boat with "refreshments" , started the engines and went.
The return journey involved remembering to turn the engines off after arriving back home.
Taking back control !

 

[eebygum]

We've just come back from Nieupoort. Passport control is located in the marina to the left as you enter ( can't remember the name, sorry ).
They are open from 0700 to 1900, and are really helpful.

Thanks, we have decided to head straight for Nieupoort directly (which was probably going to be our next stop anyway) as Dunkirk is just two much of a phaff for two days stay.

 

[DanTribe]

We've just come back from Nieupoort. Passport control is located in the marina to the left as you enter ( can't remember the name, sorry ).
They are open from 0700 to 1900, and are really helpful.

Very pleased to hear this. In 2022 they insisted that we submit the forms on line. I couldn't make it work so asked the harbourmaster, he couldn't do it, so asked at the police office. The woman police person couldn't so asked a sergeant, he couldn't either, so phoned HQ. That's when she said it's not a Belgian problem, fair comment I thought.
I will give it another go very soon.

 

[Plum]

Thanks, we have decided to head straight for Nieupoort directly (which was probably going to be our next stop anyway) as Dunkirk is just two much of a phaff for two days stay.

Yes, that is what I did in 2024. As said above, passport control very easy and helpful. If you are not aware, passport control are at the marina on the Port side when entering Haven - Vlaamse Yachthaven Nieuwpoort

 

[dolabriform]

Very pleased to hear this. In 2022 they insisted that we submit the forms on line. I couldn't make it work so asked the harbourmaster, he couldn't do it, so asked at the police office. The woman police person couldn't so asked a sergeant, he couldn't either, so phoned HQ. That's when she said it's not a Belgian problem, fair comment I thought.
I will give it another go very soon.

The online form worked really well. We submitted it about 20 minutes before we went up to the passport control.

 

[xyachtdave]

The online form worked really well. We submitted it about 20 minutes before we went up to the passport control.

Well it does say to do it in advance of your arrival!

 

[eebygum]

Yes, that is what I did in 2024. As said above, passport control very easy and helpful. If you are not aware, passport control are at the marina on the Port side when entering Haven - Vlaamse Yachthaven Nieuwpoort

We made a fast 9.5 hour crossing from Dover to VYN Nieuwpoort on Sunday. Managed to complete the online form for Belgium before leaving and it could not have been easier to check in at the passport office next to the marina on Monday.

Thanks to the forum for all the excellent advice. Cheers

 

[DanTribe]

We made a fast 9.5 hour crossing from Dover to VYN Nieuwpoort on Sunday. Managed to complete the online form for Belgium before leaving and it could not have been easier to check in at the passport office next to the marina on Monday.

Thanks to the forum for all the excellent advice. Cheers

Sorry to belabour this but I reckon I'm over thinking it. Did you send the forms off before leaving Dover? The thought of filling in all crew's passport details while bashing about at sea isn't appealing. Also they want to know arrival time to nearest minute and yacht club and berth number. I'm lucky if I can predict what country and day of the week.

 

[eebygum]

Sorry to belabour this but I reckon I'm over thinking it. Did you send the forms off before leaving Dover? The thought of filling in all crew's passport details while bashing about at sea isn't appealing. Also they want to know arrival time to nearest minute and yacht club and berth number. I'm lucky if I can predict what country and day of the week.

Yes I filled out before leaving Dover from my iPhone; it took over an hour as the firms are not intuitive and you need to lookup various codes… and I did not want to do this at sea.

HOWEVER you can just complete them on your arrival… I found this out after starting which would have saved a lot of hassle. We arrived on a Sunday and the office (which is literally next to the marina office) was closed so we just wandered around at our leisure the next day.

 

[Plum]

Yes I filled out before leaving Dover from my iPhone; it took over an hour as the firms are not intuitive and you need to lookup various codes… and I did not want to do this at sea.

HOWEVER you can just complete them on your arrival… I found this out after starting which would have saved a lot of hassle. We arrived on a Sunday and the office (which is literally next to the marina office) was closed so we just wandered around at our leisure the next day.

Last year A friend failed to fill in the form online and went to the Nieuwpoort passport office and they let him do it on their PC. So helpful.

 

[Billy Blue]

Last year A friend failed to fill in the form online and went to the Nieuwpoort passport office and they let him do it on their PC. So helpful.

I went there last year, they asked if we had done the form online, when we said No, they tutted and then did everyone for us. Very pleasant.

 

[tony_lavelle]

Thanks that’s really helpful.

I have emailed Port de Large asking if they process the PAF and they just replied with the email addresses of the PAF office and Employment office…..The PPF can be contacted by email:

• Permanent police station dipn59-paf-spafp@interieur.gouv
• Order and employment office (open during working days and hours) dipn59-paf-spafp-boe@interieur.gouv.fr

Phone: 03.28.51.39.00

So looks like they do nothing to enable the process.

Thinking I will either go to Calais or just had to Belgium instead, it’s looks like just too much hassle at Dunkirk.

We found the Police Nationale station in Dunkirk but nobody there had any idea why I wanted a stamp in my passports. The senior police lady came out and gave me a general purpose stamp as she thought I just wanted a souvenir. The Gendarmerie and the PAF (Police aux Frontieres) are completely separate organisations that don't talk to each other.

 

[phlip]

Thanks that’s really helpful.

I have emailed Port de Large asking if they process the PAF and they just replied with the email addresses of the PAF office and Employment office…..The PPF can be contacted by email:

• Permanent police station dipn59-paf-spafp@interieur.gouv
• Order and employment office (open during working days and hours) dipn59-paf-spafp-boe@interieur.gouv.fr

Phone: 03.28.51.39.00

So looks like they do nothing to enable the process.

Thinking I will either go to Calais or just had to Belgium instead, it’s looks like just too much hassle at Dunkirk.

We were supplied the same two addresses on a little scrap of paper today by Port Grande Large (Dunkerque), and pointed in the direction of the passport people at the other end of the port (80 euro return taxi ride away as mentioned somewhere in this thread). The border police were friendly and did passport stamping quickly.

The first email address is invalid in the sense that the domain name is missing ".fr" from the end. Adding that suffix meant I was able to send the email successfully. I cannot comment on whether there's someone on the other side of it who will do stuff.
It is astounding the difference in clarity and convenience with the Netherlands equivalent of this - though maybe it was because we entered via Ijmuiden.