Passports

[Paddingtonbear]

I do not have a passport nor do I have any need nor intention of getting one. We have just bought a motor boat based on the East Coast. SWMBO is somewhat concerned that when we cruise about we might get stopped and searched especially as when we passed Harwich yesterday a border agency(?) fast patrol boat was lurking about. How do you prove that you have NOT come from foreign parts?

 

[puddock]

Driving licenses, bank cards etc?

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

Driving licenses, bank cards etc?

Birth certificate!

 

[Billjratt]

Most of us cruise on one coast or another, and I don't know of anyone who keeps a passport aboard unless intending to go foreign.
Just go about life in the normal way but keep till receipts for all those silly wee purchases instead of throwing them in the bin.
That way you can prove where and when you were ashore if anyone bothers to ask.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

... How do you prove that you have NOT come from foreign parts?

Wear a Turban or keffiyeh, that should do it.

 

[Paddingtonbear]

Thanks for comments but what if I had landed around Harwich could I be refused entry?

 

[maxi77]

Thanks for comments but what if I had landed around Harwich could I be refused entry?

As you picked Harwich we went to Shotley last year and no one asked where we had come from or for any documentation. In fact even in France they only wanted the Euros. It was only when we got to Spain document became needed.

No port in the UK asked us for any paperwork, just credit cards.

 

[chinita]

Wear a Turban or keffiyeh, that should do it.

But what if they already have a house and don't need free driving lessons?

 

[Csail]

Why not just get one? We have what we call e rucksacs (escape) always ready to go with all the kit for a few weeks away. For example in the YC we ended up sailing Cardiff to Spain at a moments notice.Otherwise driving licence is ok for eu.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

But what if they already have a house and don't need free driving lessons?

Easy - take another wife, which technically becomes a single mother, obtain a free second home.

Still don't need a passport though. As an aside to my drivel: a friend travelled to Southern Ireland from Scotland with a Costco Card as the only evidence of identity which was accepted upon arrival.

 

[lustyd]

I think they would only do customs and immigration if they tracked your vessel entering UK waters (there are many radar stations around the coast which record such things). Alternatively if you ring the immigration line in the Almanac they will come and meet you, so I think the trick is not to leave UK waters and not to call them

 

[Boathook]

I've never had a problem on the south coast and this includes visiting Portsmouth and Plymouth. The main item required as mentioned is cash and or credit card.

 

[DaveS]

I do not have a passport nor do I have any need nor intention of getting one.

My first thought was that you must be Merkin, but I see you're not.

Many years ago SWMBO & I arrived at St. Andrews in a Vivacity 20 after a quite rough passage round Fife Ness. We were met by a gentleman in a cap who I assumed to be the harbour master. After we'd retrieved our lines which he failed to catch, and we'd tied up, he informed us that he was from Customs: normally based in Dundee, but also covering the wee harbours in the area. Where had we come from? "Ainster" we replied. Not from abroad then? "In this boat?" we replied incredulously. He seemed disappointed and wandered off...

 

[theoldsalt]

The OP asked a sensible question but I have not read any sensible answers.

The documents mentioned may prove you are a UK resident but that was not the question.

 

[chinita]

A few years ago I met a couple who crossed the Atlantic in an old wooden boat. As they had used all their fuel and had no money whatsoever they spent days and days suffering in through the Western Approaches and tacking back and forth across the Irish Sea.

They told me that several times they could almost touch dry land on Ireland and Wales.

Eventually they put in to Pwllheli, where they had friends.

As the HM took their warps he said 'Last Port?'.

'Bermuda' they replied.

After a long pause.......'Get these two a drink' the HM said to his mate.

 

[Boathook]

The OP asked a sensible question but I have not read any sensible answers.

The documents mentioned may prove you are a UK resident but that was not the question.

He asked a sensible question and has had replies that indicate that it is not a problem even if you sail into naval ports.

If the OP is really concerned he can apply for passports, but personally I feel that that is a waste of money.

Possibly a 'logbook' indicating departure point, etc and a rough hourly log would indicate where you have been, etc but even those aren't bullett proof and not even legally required in the UK for a private vessel as far as I'm aware.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

MIB, "Where Are You From Sir?" Skipper, "Hull." MIB, "Have a nice Voyage Sir."

The OP asked a sensible question but I have not read any sensible answers.

The documents mentioned may prove you are a UK resident but that was not the question.

When boarded by members of Her Majesty's Border Patrol and they ask where you are from you tell them the truth. UK citizens do not need to carry identification in the UK nor make a declaration when transiting from port to port within UK territorial waters.

Here is a definition of territorial waters: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_waters

I have been boarded and asked where I came from. I was not asked for identification although a note of my name (but not the crew) was taken. I have been inspected in Northern Ireland a few times (I am Clyde based) and never been asked for proof of port of departure. On one occasion a nice dog came onboard for a sniff about. I do not carry my ships papers, or my passport, only my VHF licence. I have also sailed around the UK coast anchoring and berthing and never encountered any officialdom beyond normal administration for berthing fees (sometimes port of departure is recorded by the Harbour Master).

The OP should just get on his motorboat and not worry about it.

 

[nimbusgb]

I do not have a passport nor do I have any need nor intention of getting one.

Yes you do. You go sailing offshore. Keep a logbook, log GPS tracks, get a passport.

You are not obliged to carry ID and you are entitled to tell 'em to get lost if they ask for it. Do you want to have a quite life or just piss off some bloke who's only trying to protect your interests?

There's one way and there's the pragmatic way.

Do you have a VHF? Why? - to call for help, it's the easiest way.

Want to prove you are British? Produce a passport.

 

[fireball]

Yes you do. You go sailing offshore. Keep a logbook, log GPS tracks, get a passport.

You are not obliged to carry ID and you are entitled to tell 'em to get lost if they ask for it. Do you want to have a quite life or just piss off some bloke who's only trying to protect your interests?

There's one way and there's the pragmatic way.

Do you have a VHF? Why? - to call for help, it's the easiest way.

Want to prove you are British? Produce a passport.

Er ... whilst producing a Passport may be the easiest way of indicating that you're British (if they believe it's forged or stolen it won't help!) it's not a required document.

To the OP - if you're coastal cruising then you have little to fear from the Border Agency - they track vessels before boarding them - and if you're unlucky enough to get boarded then I assume you'll have a driving licence or some other UK produced card to assist them in confirming your identity.
If you've noticed a Border Cutter then they're not interested in you - if they're interested in you, the first you'll know is a fast rib pulling alongside followed by men with guns climbing aboard - not exactly friendly - but not life threatening.
As with all "officials" - don't try to be (too) awkward with them - they're getting paid to be there regardless - they'll keep you all day if they feel like it.

 

[alan17]

UK requirements

As you picked Harwich we went to Shotley last year and no one asked where we had come from or for any documentation. In fact even in France they only wanted the Euros. It was only when we got to Spain document became needed.

No port in the UK asked us for any paperwork, just credit cards.

Or cash!!