First Cross Channel - What papers do I need?

[najsmith]

Planning to make our first trip to France; IOW to Cherbourg. Building up the courage and praying for fair weather.

What paperwork do I need for entering french waters?

I'm thinking

-Passports
-Internatinoal Certificate of Competence
-RYA Certificates
-Paper Documentation confirming ownership; Bills, invoices, Sale of boat to me (don't have up to date SSR)

What am I missing?

Also, plan to do the channel Islands so assume I'll need a Q code flag.

 

[BAtoo]

Try here: http://www.rya.org.uk/KnowledgeBase/boatingabroad/customsformalities.htm

 

[harvey]

Insurance and proof of VAT paid. First is straightforward but the second may not be so easy!
John

 

[Modulation]

you'll also need your SSR. the last time I did it with my expired cert, as luck would have it, I was one of the very few checked, and they weren't too impressed. They accepted it though.
I have found the French authorities to be fairly relaxed. The Belgians are much more bureaucratic - though,even then, nobody has ever been unpleasant.

 

[temptress]

Technically you need:

Passports for all the Crew (and Visas if non EEA nationals aboard)
Ships registration papers (SSR or PART 1) are NEEDED.
Proof of VAT status.
Insurance is only needed if you visit a marina.

In 30 years of x-channel sailing I've only been asked for the ships papers once in France since the single market came into force. And I often forget my passport which is a problem if you leave the boat there and come back by Ferry.

Holland, Spain and Portugall want to see all the documents all the time but I guess you are not going there!

Don't worry too much about paperwork and enjoy the sailing..... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Robin]

Hi Temptress

I know you know it but for the others I would add a few comments.

We have been visited by French Customs almost every year in South Brittany, no problems just routine. They have a big minesweeper sized craft that visits the anchorage areas like Glenans, Belle Isle, Houat, probably waiting for drug smugglers crossing Biscay but they send out a rib on forays around everywhere whilst they are waiting. We've never had a problem, other than two years running we were boarded at 0700 whilst at anchor off Belle Isle - same date, same Customs Officer because we had the 'fiche' from his previous visit in our file! He thought it hilarious, we smiled politely in case he un-holstered the gun...

We were boarded off Cherbourg, passports closely checked and details sent to mothership for checking on the Paris database (we were told), probably training but polite and thorough. They read the log and asked questions about a couple of pithy entries fron SWMBO, checked a few lockers, asked what was in others but when we offered to show them lost interest. We have also been checked by officers on foot whilst in marinas (Concarneau, Port Haliguen, La Trinite) and in Cherbourg it is quite common to see them on the pontoons but they are often just looking.

We carry all the documents together in one file that we keep at home for 'foreign' trips in a freebie PBO canvas case from a subs deal, we add our passports to this to complete the set and take it on board when needed. It also contains the Radio licenses, liferaft certificates, insurance cert etc but these are never volunteered (but are visible) nor have been asked for, others have said they have been asked.

If boarded always ask them for a 'fiche' to show you have been checked in case you meet another lot down the coast, it saves time and they have a pad of these fiches usually with them, they like paperwork anyway.

Robin

 

[DJE]

Make sure you have the original SSR and not a copy. I've seen a British yachtsman marched off to the cashpoint for his 150 Euro fine for having a photocopy. Only been asked for documents once in six visits and then it was only SSR and passports. Cherbourg marina seem to like to see your SSR but nowhere else has asked me for it.

And have a good trip. There's no feeling like your first crossing in your own boat.

 

[AndrewB]

Yes same here, I've been questioned many times in France, always very polite. Passports and SSR (or Pt 1 registration) are essential, don't be relaxed about this. Its been many years though since I was asked about VAT, then it was no more than a question, no evidence required.

I've never been asked to show insurance certificates in France, but if you do have a ding they would certainly be helpful. Certificates of competence are only needed for inland waterways.

 

[rushers]

Admittedly a few years ago now but a chum for whom I was crewing, took his Starlight on her maiden voyage to Calais, no SSR.... fined 1000 francs, CASH!! Most unpleasant, very officious individuals who threatened to impound the boat if we did'nt pay up