Legal documents to keep on board, Colregs, etc.

[syvictoria]

(Aside from personal papers for boat and crew...)

I'm trying to get my filing in order and struggling to find a copy of latest version of the Colregs to download. This has been discussed in numerous old threads, but the links are mostly outdated! Where can I find a fully up-to-date version to download please?

Also, what else is it mandatory to have on board in terms of legal/rules docs? I have a copy of the Basel Agreement (ATIS) and the SolasV and Life Saving Signals leaflets. Am I likely to be asked to prove that I have anything else on board if inspected abroad at some point?

Thank you!

 

[JumbleDuck]

I'm trying to get my filing in order and struggling to find a copy of latest version of the Colregs to download.

https://assets.publishing.service.g...loads/attachment_data/file/281965/msn1781.pdf

 

[Stemar]

On a private boat in the UK, the only essential papers to have on board come from Andrex.

Here's what looks at first glance to be the full text.

International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS)

If I wanted something to keep on board, I'd probably drop it into Word or whatever and add illustrations for the lights and stuff

 

[bedouin]

It is advisable to carry your registration document and insurance certificate - I seem to remember being told these were mandatory in france.

 

[syvictoria]

https://assets.publishing.service.g...loads/attachment_data/file/281965/msn1781.pdf

Thanks for that. I had actually found that, but then I found another document that suggested updates in 2007 and 2016, but somewhat helpfully, not a new full updated document:

https://assets.publishing.service.g..._data/file/853505/MSN1781_Amendment2_2016.pdf

The government website is not exactly user-friendly!

 

[syvictoria]

It is advisable to carry your registration document and insurance certificate - I seem to remember being told these were mandatory in france.

Thanks, yes, I have the ship's and personal docs. It's the regulatory stuff that I'm unsure about.

 

[GHA]

On a private boat in the UK, the only essential papers to have on board come from Andrex.

Not quite, under solas V a print out of life saving signals are mandatory unless you're a little open boat.

Regulation 29
An illustrated table describing the life-saving signals* shall be readily available to the officer of the watch of every ship to which this chapter applies. The signals shall be used by ships or persons in distress when communicating with lifesaving stations, maritime rescue units and aircraft engaged in search and rescue operations.

 

[Stemar]

Not quite, under solas V a print out of life saving signals are mandatory unless you're a little open boat.

Oh, yes, forgot that. Mine's stuck to the cabin bulkhead, so I don't think of it as "papers"

 

[Graham376]

Not quite, under solas V a print out of life saving signals are mandatory unless you're a little open boat.

Isn't there also a requirement to have a radio distress procedure sticker adjacent to the radio?

 

[Lucky Duck]

No

 

[awol]

Isn't there also a requirement to have a radio distress procedure sticker adjacent to the radio?

No requirement for a radio, either.

 

[prv]

Oh, yes, forgot that. Mine's stuck to the cabin bulkhead, so I don't think of it as "papers"

You may well have a copy in an almanac or pilot book as well. I think when the requirement first came out, Imray printed it on the back of some charts too, to help people be compliant even if they didn't realise it

Pete

 

[syvictoria]

Warning... slight thread drift...!

Although I started this thread saying 'Aside from personal papers for boat and crew', are we likely to encounter problems with officials if we only have black and white prints of both insurance and VHF licence, as they were both originally supplied by email and I only have a B&W printer!!??

(Obviously if this does risk problems, I will have to find a colour printer.)

 

[Laminar Flow]

My understanding is that the French want you to have a copy of the Colregs on board. Not at all sure why, as it doesn't appear to have been widely read. It's a 3000Euro fine if you fail to produce, or so I am told.
The Dutch want you to have a copy of their waterway regulations with you. It's in Dutch only, of course and comes with a 200 Euro fine for non compliance. Non one ever asked us in the five 5 years we were there to see our still crisp and un-fingered copy.

 

[[163233]]

Warning... slight thread drift...!

Although I started this thread saying 'Aside from personal papers for boat and crew', are we likely to encounter problems with officials if we only have black and white prints of both insurance and VHF licence, as they were both originally supplied by email and I only have a B&W printer!!??

(Obviously if this does risk problems, I will have to find a colour printer.)

Yup, Spain and Portugal are supposedly hot on this type of thing, but I have had no problem.

Didn't even hear of the French colregs thing, presumably they'd demand a French version if they did?

 

[Laminar Flow]

Yup, Spain and Portugal are supposedly hot on this type of thing, but I have had no problem.

Didn't even hear of the French colregs thing, presumably they'd demand a French version if they did?

A Belgium friend assured us that any official (other than customs/immigration) wanting to inspect a foreign boat would have to be "invited" aboard by the skipper. Personally, I wouldn't bank on that.

 

[LittleSister]

I believe the Dutch Waterways regs are available as a download, and having a digital version aboard meets the requirements. IIRC someone posted about this on the East Coast Forum not so long ago.

 

[[163233]]

A Belgium friend assured us that any official (other than customs/immigration) wanting to inspect a foreign boat would have to be "invited" aboard by the skipper. Personally, I wouldn't bank on that.

No, I think that sort of attitude is what leads to problems abroad. The fact is that if customs want to take your boat apart then they can. It's their country and their rules.

UK customs also have substantially greater power than the police.

Be nice to them and they will usually be nice to you.

 

[Stemar]

Too true. "I know my rights" tends to lead to finding out just how few rights you actually have.

 

[DJE]

Nothing here about colregs.