First Channel crossing advice + non PPF ports question

[westerman]

Hello everyone,

My partner (British citizen) and I (European citizen) are planning to cross the Channel in the next 2 days from the Scillies towards Brest area on his UK-registered classic sailing boat.

We were hoping to arrive at Camaret-sur-Mer.
I can't find anywhere whether this port is one of the 53 non-PPF ports that can welcome boats from non Schengen areas.

This webpage states it is:
Cruising Association welcomes easier check in/out for cruising to France | CA

But then it is not listed on the official website of the french customs office. (The pdf-s at the bottom)
Vous naviguez en provenance ou à destination d’un pays non-membre de l’espace Schengen


Also, what are we expected to do at a non-PPF port? Apart from sending the form and calling the port office upon arrival, do we need to fly a Q flag? Will my partner need to visit border force to obtain a stamp on his passport? If so do we have to travel between Camaret and Brest? Anything else we need to keep in mind?


Additionally, I could not find a single answer on how strict the French are about documentation so do we need to present any of the following?
- VAT for red diesel
- ICC cert
- VHF cert
- Boat registration (we have a digital copy, would that be enough?)


Another question I have is how strict are the french on using holding tanks? I read it's illegal to dump toilet water in the sea but my partner says it's not enforced.

Finally, do you have any advice? While my partner is a very experienced sailor, this is his first time doing an offshore sail as a skipper and I'm pretty much a beginner with a basic Day skipper knowledge and very very few miles under my belt.

Thank you for all the help!!

 

[Sandy]

Don't forget the skipper needs to check the boat and crew out of the UK and back in again when returning.

Handing officials paper documents is much easier. My local library prints anything for £0.10 per sheet.

 

[Pye_End]

No Q flag.

The form (link is on the French link in your post) says:

The form shall be transmitted by the harbour
master’s office :
1/ To enter the territory :
➢ at the latest twenty-four hours before
arriving in the port, coming from outside
of the Schengen area ;
➢ or at the latest at the time the ship leaves
the previous port, outside of the Schengen
area, if the voyage time is less than twenty-
four hours
2/ To leave the territory :
➢ when the ship leaves the port for a
destination outside the Schengen area.


Nothing about stamps or police visits or official receipts etc etc. on these instructions. Always worth taking all your documents anyway. There is advice on RYA website over what is needed, but - red in main tank is fine (they say to keep receipts); ICC - not sure (https://www.rya.org.uk/knowledge/abroad/icc/evidence-of-competence-abroad); VHF cert - take; registration original - take; holding tank - I don't have one - just be sensible about what you dump where and it will be fine.

Most of us did these sorts of passages at one time with little experience - you can only become experienced by doing it. Try not to call the lifeboat out in France - it can get expensive. Get plenty of rest when you can. Enjoy it.

 

[Lightwave395]

Hello everyone,

My partner (British citizen) and I (European citizen) are planning to cross the Channel in the next 2 days from the Scillies towards Brest area on his UK-registered classic sailing boat.

We were hoping to arrive at Camaret-sur-Mer.
I can't find anywhere whether this port is one of the 53 non-PPF ports that can welcome boats from non Schengen areas.

This webpage states it is:
Cruising Association welcomes easier check in/out for cruising to France | CA

But then it is not listed on the official website of the french customs office. (The pdf-s at the bottom)
Vous naviguez en provenance ou à destination d’un pays non-membre de l’espace Schengen


Also, what are we expected to do at a non-PPF port? Apart from sending the form and calling the port office upon arrival, do we need to fly a Q flag? Will my partner need to visit border force to obtain a stamp on his passport? If so do we have to travel between Camaret and Brest? Anything else we need to keep in mind?


Additionally, I could not find a single answer on how strict the French are about documentation so do we need to present any of the following?
- VAT for red diesel
- ICC cert
- VHF cert
- Boat registration (we have a digital copy, would that be enough?)


Another question I have is how strict are the french on using holding tanks? I read it's illegal to dump toilet water in the sea but my partner says it's not enforced.

Finally, do you have any advice? While my partner is a very experienced sailor, this is his first time doing an offshore sail as a skipper and I'm pretty much a beginner with a basic Day skipper knowledge and very very few miles under my belt.

Thank you for all the help!!

Much simpler to go to Brest, the Chateau marina is 5 mins walk from the PAF office which is open every weekday and takes 5 mins to check in or out without any prior appointment. If you're keen to go to Camaret, do it after you've checked in.

ICC not necessary, never been asked for VHF cert in 6 years, never had any question from Douanes re red diesel, definitely have all relevant paperwork for boat registration, never had any queries re holding tanks

 

[Dee Bee]

The French also insist on you having red handheld flares , do they not?

 

[LiftyK]

The French also insist on you having red handheld flares , do they not?

I believe the requirement is in-date flares or no flares at all.

 

[Dee Bee]

Just re read it and you are absolutely right. Anyone need two surplus handheld red flares.