G
Guest
Guest
Went with an inexperienced friend to Bolougne for weekend. Checked engines with him charts instruments even passports everything o.k.. Sitting in cockpit of friends 44ft Riva. 2 armed customs men appear "May we come aboard" No problem let them look round, quite reassuring really considering the times we live in. Asked for passports ,No problem asked our occupations etc. Then "May we see ships papers" My friend rummidging through various documents in his saloon.
Er. Er I`ve left them at home. " I am sorry you cannot move this boat until we confirm you are the owner". Found loads of bills with name etc, they then telephoned Customs at Ramsgate " who thankfully confirmed they new the boat".
"This will be a fine of 150 Euros forbreaking French law regarding carrying of ships papers aboard vessel at all times whilst in French waters". Do you take a cheque with cheque card "No" Do you take credit cards "No" Do you take English money "No" We will take you to Cash point machine. Which they did and gave my friend papers releasing the boat. The Customs man then showed us that we were the fourth English boat this weekend to be fined for not carrying ships papers, and that had Ramsgate customs have not known the vessel we would not have been allowed to leave until papers produced. I am definately checking my papers this week How about you lot? Incidently one of the other vessels on their list was another of our forumites whom shall remain nameless unless he cares to I.D. himself. TUTT TUTT TUTT I am surprised. Mum`s the word.
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Er. Er I`ve left them at home. " I am sorry you cannot move this boat until we confirm you are the owner". Found loads of bills with name etc, they then telephoned Customs at Ramsgate " who thankfully confirmed they new the boat".
"This will be a fine of 150 Euros forbreaking French law regarding carrying of ships papers aboard vessel at all times whilst in French waters". Do you take a cheque with cheque card "No" Do you take credit cards "No" Do you take English money "No" We will take you to Cash point machine. Which they did and gave my friend papers releasing the boat. The Customs man then showed us that we were the fourth English boat this weekend to be fined for not carrying ships papers, and that had Ramsgate customs have not known the vessel we would not have been allowed to leave until papers produced. I am definately checking my papers this week How about you lot? Incidently one of the other vessels on their list was another of our forumites whom shall remain nameless unless he cares to I.D. himself. TUTT TUTT TUTT I am surprised. Mum`s the word.
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