Passeport Escales

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Andy_H

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I'm hoping someone can help me here. I'm planning a few weeks in Brittany and so I've signed up for Passeport Escales but must admit I'm struggling a bit to find out how it works. I've registered on the web site and logged my cruising dates. Is that it? Do I just turn up and present my card or do I need to notify each marina in advance? It may be me being thick, but it doesn't seem that clear on the web site.
 
I am a member by virtue of being an MDL berthholder. For me, I absolutely MUST check out of my home marina - which I think is the equivalent of you putting in your cruising dates. So long as that is done, you can just turn up at one of the participating marinas and they do the rest. If they can remember how to do it, that is - they seem to struggle at Cherbourg, and the HM at Dielette had never done it before when I showed up!)

IMHO it is a great scheme.
 
You notify your home port of the date you are leaving and when you expect to return. That enables them to let someone else use your berth while you're away.

When you arrive at another marina in the scheme you present your card at the Capitainerie and you are then entitled to stay there for the length of time shown on the website for that port. It may be that you have 2 nights and then you have to either clear off for a night and come back or start paying for the additional nights; but some ports only allow you a maximum of 5 nights a year in total.

If you forget to notify your home port that you are leaving, the system assumes you are still there and, since you can't be in two places at once, you can't go elsewhere and claim free nights (at least not the first night).

If I remember correctly, the cut-off time for registering you departure from your home port is 12:00. If you haven't registered your intended departure by then, it is assumed you'[re not going that day.

I had a problem with a Frenchman returning earlier in the day than expected to his home berth and asking me, very politely, to go. I was about to leave anyway to catch a tide so it was no problem for me but I suppose I could have insisted on being able to remain until 12:00 if at had been inconvenient for me to go earlier.

The staff in the Capitaineries are always charming and helpful so if you have any problems they'll try to help.
 
+1 to checking out, otherwise you can't register at the Visiting marina.

But do it on line - the first year I asked my home Marina to "check me out cruising" and they really struggled - but it's was much easier last year.

You need your Passport Escales membership no and password. If I remember correctly it hadn't been reset for the new year. Best to go onto their website and check everything in advance
Kevin
 
KevinT1 said:
+1 to checking out, otherwise you can't register at the Visiting marina.

But do it on line - the first year I asked my home Marina to "check me out cruising" and they really struggled - but it's was much easier last year.

You need your Passport Escales membership no and password. If I remember correctly it hadn't been reset for the new year. Best to go onto their website and check everything in advance
Kevin
Click to expand...

From memory from noon onwards you can reserve your next berth on-line.
 
Sybarite said:
From memory from noon onwards you can reserve your next berth on-line.
Click to expand...
I hadn't heard about that facility. Although as you're supposed to be away from the marina you've been in before noon, you might be out of wifi range by the afternoon. Also you might have other factors requiring an early departure; tides etc.
I usually just turn up and ask for a catway. Being in a small(ish) boat means they can usually find room for us.
 
Thanks for your help everyone. It all seems fairly straightforward - just need to remember to check in and out on time. All I need now is some decent weather. Fingers crossed......
 
Be aware that many marinas host large club flotillas in July and August and close to all visitors. These events are published on the Passeport Escale Facebook page and notices are in nearby Capitaineries. Also, though still on website, Le Croisic is no longer in the scheme....ask me how I know!
There is no facility to book on advance but, excepting the above I've never failed to get a berth in France. Got turned away by QAB though. My fault for asking first instead of just going in.
 
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