Living aboard in Guernsey for 6 months?

[David_Jersey]

I feel like I should know the answer to this question /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I am not sure of the exact rules here in Jersey, but the upshot is that you are not meant to live aboard your boat for extended periods, especially when working here.

I seem to think that the position in Guernsey is different, in that their is not a problem in living aboard AND working in Guernsey. But has anyone done this or know for sure?

I only ask because as I work on Contract, I was thinking next year of picking up some work in Guernsey and also taking the opportunity of seeing how I got on with living aboard my boat for extended periods, particulelry to see in practice what changes I needed to do, whilst still being close enough to "home" to pop back to make any changes neccesary.

 

[twisterkai]

I seem to recall that the only marina that 'officially' allows living aboard is Beaucette AND it's no longer owned by Premier Marinas! Also, you don't have to have resident status. As far as I know the St Peter Port marinas are owned by the state and a friend who's an official resident isn't technically allowed to live on board his yacht in either of them.

 

[guernseyman]

There are two separate pieces of legislation which will affect you: "Right to Work" and "Housing".

The latter law determines whether you have the right to occupy a 'local market' dwelling as distinct from an 'open market' dwelling. The latter are generally more expensive and may be occupied by anybody. To occupy the former you need to be locally qualified (e.g. born there and lived there for ten years - not in the open market) or have a housing licence (linked to your job) or have some compassionate reason for needing to reside in Guernsey.
A 'right to work' document is needed to work in the island and is issued if you are legally housed e.g. living in an open market house, locally qualified, or have a housing licence. It is legal to live in a tent, or Beaucette Marina. I don't know if residence in a boat anchored in a bay would be regarded as legal. I do know that you can do a deal and have an extended stay in Victoria Marina, obviousy living aboard, as a visitor. I don't know, again, if that would entitle you to a 'right to work' document.
You can ask the Housing Authority. These days they might answer an e-mail, but they would prefer a more-old-fashioned form of contact, I'm sure. www.gov.gg
Hope that helps a little.

 

[David_Jersey]

Now you mention it, Living at Beaucette Marina rings a bell - will make this my first port of call - I think the anchoring up in a bay would be a bit impractical where it invoves working 9-5.

I knew about the "quallies" stuff, but...

[ QUOTE ]
A 'right to work' document is needed to work in the island

[/ QUOTE ]

I didn't know about this, but I think in practice it will be easy enough to get........we'll see.

Thanks folks - at least it seems at least probably possible.

 

[paulineb]

It can be a bit scary getting into Beaucette

 

[David_Jersey]

Have seen the entrance a couple of times from the land, never done it from the sea - but looks like it is capable of being "Fun" with the right conditions.

 

[Anonymous]

You're not kidding - my first attempt was an hour before sunset in July, sun in my eyes, at springs, with a strong cross-current on the approach. Oh, and they'd removed the fairway buoy "cos it needed painting" without telling anyone and the white marks were so faded you could only see what they were when you'd already figured out where you are. Best to do it at slack water when the light isn't in your eyes the first time, I reckon.

 

[duncan]

add 'in a small manoevrable boat with a shallow draft and protected props' and I would agree!

definitely not high on the list for visiting cat a marans I suspect - about 20ft width - amazed at the size of some of the craft in the marina when we got in this year!

 

[fivebucksa]

We moored in St Peter Port for a couple of months in 2003 without any questions, in fact the marina did us a deal the longer we stayed. I can recomend it, just do it.

 

[rehara2]

Met a guy on the French canals who spent the 2004 winter in St Peter Port and it was the cheapest, sorry, most cost effective, place to spend the winter. 40% cheaper then Beaucaire altho the wine is cheaper here.