Oostende von anchor

willpatten

willpatten

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Good evening all.
We are thinking about going to Oostende for the 2019 festival - weather permitting.
Its been a while - is it still an no go area? - is anyone else going?
we still use red diesel.
Any advice appreciated
Thanks
 
This thread indicated that, as usual, a number of people were planning to go, but it hasn't had any updates recently.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?512685-Oostende-voor-Anker-2019

I was hoping to go, but my boat's not going to be ready.

After a recent panic following a fine levied in error (since refunded) it seems the Belgian authorities have confirmed that they will not fine UK boats with red diesel provided they have receipts to show 100% duty paid on it. http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?436613-Ostende-and-red-diesel-BEWARE/page9
 
LittleSister said:
After a recent panic following a fine levied in error (since refunded) it seems the Belgian authorities have confirmed that they will not fine UK boats with red diesel provided they have receipts to show 100% duty paid on it. http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?436613-Ostende-and-red-diesel-BEWARE/page9
Click to expand...

Two things here....

Firstly, the Belgian's usually suspend their diesel thing for OvA. Presumably, they don't want to put off the multitude of UK boats that might attend and spend their hard earned cash.

Secondly, the 100% duty paid is a bit difficult to understand when 99% of marinas allow the 60:40 split so does that mean 100% of the duty that should have been paid under those rules has been or do they expect all of the fuel to have full duty paid. Furthermore, genuine domestic use (liveaboards etc) will mean a higher proportion of the fuel bought is at the domestic level. Does this fall foul too.

We carry 1600 litres of fuel when full (motorsailer) and WILL NOT be going near Belgium while there is even a tiny risk of a fine because of someone not liking the colour of the fuel in our tanks even though we have paid the correct duty in our home country. It's a bit like the UK customs asking us to pay a bit more duty on the cheap wine we bought in France......

I imagine the local traders in or around the Belgian ports are suffering a loss of income with the drop in UK visitors over the past few years.
 
wingdiver said:
Two things here....

Firstly, the Belgian's usually suspend their diesel thing for OvA. Presumably, they don't want to put off the multitude of UK boats that might attend and spend their hard earned cash.

Secondly, the 100% duty paid is a bit difficult to understand when 99% of marinas allow the 60:40 split so does that mean 100% of the duty that should have been paid under those rules has been or do they expect all of the fuel to have full duty paid. Furthermore, genuine domestic use (liveaboards etc) will mean a higher proportion of the fuel bought is at the domestic level. Does this fall foul too.

We carry 1600 litres of fuel when full (motorsailer) and WILL NOT be going near Belgium while there is even a tiny risk of a fine because of someone not liking the colour of the fuel in our tanks even though we have paid the correct duty in our home country. It's a bit like the UK customs asking us to pay a bit more duty on the cheap wine we bought in France......

I imagine the local traders in or around the Belgian ports are suffering a loss of income with the drop in UK visitors over the past few years.
Click to expand...

I can not and do not speak for Belgian Customs of course, but I would be very much surprised if they accepted the 60/40 split, which has always been a fudge. If they insist full duty is paid, in their mindset it can only mean full duty on all the diesel you have aboard.
If you have a separate tank that does not have a connection with the engine but only with the heater, you might be able to argue that red diesel in that tank can be used and purchased at heating fuel rates. If not, you stand no chance, I’m afraid.
 
Well here's the deal!

Contact the Mayor - Bart Tommelein and tell him politely about your worries and maybe send him a link to the various threads on here. It will get pushed down the line, but experience is that it works in an odd sort of way.
At least he knows and the phone gets picked up.....

http://www.tommelein.com/contact/

Yes it is in Flemish, but it is pretty obvious what each box is about.
 
Gwylan said:
Well here's the deal!

Contact the Mayor - Bart Tommelein and tell him politely about your worries and maybe send him a link to the various threads on here. It will get pushed down the line, but experience is that it works in an odd sort of way.
At least he knows and the phone gets picked up.....

http://www.tommelein.com/contact/

Yes it is in Flemish, but it is pretty obvious what each box is about.
Click to expand...

You could try, but be aware he is campaigning for the general elections, which are on the 26th of May, together with the European elections, so red diesel might not be his prime concern now.
 
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