Normanby
Active Member
Do you know where I can get my hands on the necessary paperwork?
Plymouth to France; first port of call?
- Thread starter Normanby
- Start date
Do you know where I can get my hands on the necessary paperwork?
dslittle
Well-Known Member
We were storm bound for five days in Camaret before anyone even knew we were there!!!
doug748
Well-Known Member
I don't really have the slightest idea.
If you are really stuck, you might go along to the Brittany Ferry Terminal at Millbay* and ask them what they do for non EU citizens travelling to France. Some of the staff there are often French nationals and, if approached with a smile, are very helpful. You could buy some Euros there.
I might also do all the additional research I could, whilst is an English speaking country.
* Sorry, I am assuming you are based in Plymouth.
Post a thread on the Liveaboard section, loads of cruising folk there.
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jimbaerselman
Well-Known Member
What paperwork you need for a cruise to the Med depends on your boat's country of registration, whether VAT has been paid, whether you're traveling on a British passport, an Ozzie passport with right of residence on UK, or an Ozzie passport stamped for a limited term visit to UK.
This is a complex subject. I suggest you check http://www.jimbsail.info/going-foreign/regs-paperwork and read the "Docs" and "Time Abroad" pages.
Oh, and of course, since you're an Ozzy, you'll need to read all about our strange flag etiquette . . .
Have fun.
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Normanby
Active Member
Thanks Jim, and thanks again for your very helpful website.
I'll read up on it using the link you provided.
I'm on my only passport, the Aussie one, here in the UK on a tourist visa. Das boot, however, I bought here in Cornwall second hand, and paid the £25 to register her on the Small Ships' Register. So she has an SSR number on the transom.
I'll read up on it using the link you provided.
I'm on my only passport, the Aussie one, here in the UK on a tourist visa. Das boot, however, I bought here in Cornwall second hand, and paid the £25 to register her on the Small Ships' Register. So she has an SSR number on the transom.
Normanby
Active Member
Actually, one thing I haven't figured out is how to "check out" of the UK. Presumably I need some sort of exit stamp from some bureaucrat?
AndrewB
Well-Known Member
Just the usual stuff about contacting customs & immigration before you go. Customs used to have dockside offices, but now they've removed to some way in town, no idea how they now handle yachts. Probably won't be very interested. Immigration (UK Border Agency) are based near Millbay Dock. Visit or call them on 01752 261547, I'm sure they'll get someone down to sort out your exit papers. Surely you made contact with them when you arrived, so you MUST have some idea?
You don't need a visa to enter France, and once you are checked in there you are in the 'Schengen' area so there are no further formalities for entering Spain, Portugal, Italy, Malta, Greece (beware UK Channel Isles, Gibraltar, Croatia though which will take you out of Schengen).
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LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
I would fill out a c1331 and post the appropriate bit, then you have some sort of proof as to when and where you left from.
As you have an entry visa to uk (eu) I don't think you have any restrictions on visiting other eu states.
You could always enquire at your embassy.
Boreades
Well-Known Member
I didn't know you could put submarines on the SSR
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_Boot
(A classic film)
oldbilbo
...
I echo the arguments above for your heading towards Roscoff as your first port of call.
You'll be rather tired, and so the easy approach - relative to all the other options - should appeal. There will be some shelter from the Ile de Batz on the last mile or so, and the huge lighthouse on the island can be identified more than 20 miles out ( and the 'loom' more than half as much again ).
The directional light at Roscoff-Bloscon is there to help guide the big ferries into their berth just a few yards north-west of the new marina, and that is helpful in keeping you well away from any outlier rocks just east of the Ile de Batz.
Should you prefer, turn right just before the ferry terminal into the east end of the Chenal de Batz and, tucked under the SE corner of the island is the quite sheltered anchorage of Porz an Ilis, directly opposite the prominent Estacade de Roscoff structure and the town itself. There have been visitors' moorings there for many years but, if they've now gone, your anchor will give you a few sound hours' sleep. Once you're ready, you could head round to the new marina just SE of the ferry terminal.... where I'm sure you'll find all the French/Shengan administration you could wish for, in comfortable offices.
Roscoff itself is an attractive small town, and its street market a good opportunity to stock up cheaply for the next leg.
Should you have 'legs' or be willing to dry out against the wall, there's usually plenty of space in Roscoff's drying harbour itself - except where the local fishing boats moor up. The Capitainerie is right at the root of the main 'fish quay', close to the fish market. Unmistakable....!
Have a good trip.....
You'll be rather tired, and so the easy approach - relative to all the other options - should appeal. There will be some shelter from the Ile de Batz on the last mile or so, and the huge lighthouse on the island can be identified more than 20 miles out ( and the 'loom' more than half as much again ).
The directional light at Roscoff-Bloscon is there to help guide the big ferries into their berth just a few yards north-west of the new marina, and that is helpful in keeping you well away from any outlier rocks just east of the Ile de Batz.
Should you prefer, turn right just before the ferry terminal into the east end of the Chenal de Batz and, tucked under the SE corner of the island is the quite sheltered anchorage of Porz an Ilis, directly opposite the prominent Estacade de Roscoff structure and the town itself. There have been visitors' moorings there for many years but, if they've now gone, your anchor will give you a few sound hours' sleep. Once you're ready, you could head round to the new marina just SE of the ferry terminal.... where I'm sure you'll find all the French/Shengan administration you could wish for, in comfortable offices.
Roscoff itself is an attractive small town, and its street market a good opportunity to stock up cheaply for the next leg.
Should you have 'legs' or be willing to dry out against the wall, there's usually plenty of space in Roscoff's drying harbour itself - except where the local fishing boats moor up. The Capitainerie is right at the root of the main 'fish quay', close to the fish market. Unmistakable....!
Have a good trip.....
jordanbasset
Well-Known Member
We went from Plymouth straight to Camaret, there were two of us but even if single handed I think I would do the same again. Picked up a buoy in Camaret and had a couple of hours sleep before hitting the town!.
dk
Well-Known Member
I would second Roscoff if singlehanded. Easy to spot and enter when tired and easy to complete paperwork formailities. Also gives you the opportunity to set off to catch the tide right for the Chenal DF. Brest or Camaret are fine, but take you some way off your course south. The latter is very pretty, though, and worth a stopover if you have plenty of time.
[70521]
Well-Known Member
Roscoff and I recommend the wee creperie with the bike outside.
Normanby
Active Member
Thanks Andrew, very useful.
BTW I arrived in the UK by flying machine, so haven't had the pleasure yet of dealing with the water-borne Border rozzers.
jimbaerselman
Well-Known Member
The British Cruising Association (www.theca.org.uk/) gets many questions about border control from its overseas members! Here's an answer you'd probably get if you posted it on the Cruising Association (CA) forum:
Your boat changed hands within the UK, and as it's UK registered, there will be an assumption within the EU that it's VAT paid. Take your Bill of Sale with you to show this is a UK matter. The boat can roam anywhere within the EU with no formalities (except Croatia, which is a PITA for full documentation, and Greece where you'll need a DEKPA). No customs declaration is needed to go to France.
You're nothing to do with your boat. Check what your UK visa/passport stamp says. The usual visitor visa is a fixed period from entry of 180 days. If so, you don't have to check out of UK when you leave by private leisure boat (er, yet. The UK Border Force is trying to work out how to track people leaving by private means . . . as apart from public transport).
UK registered Boat arrivals in France are largely ignored by the French authorities . . . they assume you're a Brit. However, Schengen border controls should apply on arrival.
Your Schengen entry, whenever you record it, will allow you to spend any 90 days within the next 180 within the Schengen zone. This is tracked through entry and exit stamps within your passport.
An unofficial advice here - if you don't have an (open) entry stamp, or you over-stay, do not try to exit Schengen by airplane or ferry or train. You may be fined for illegal entry and may have a ban on re-entry, which is embarrassing when you left the boat behind . . .
All these points are covered in the links I referred to earlier, but digging through all that text is a pain. So interpretation of what it means for you in your circumstances is a useful benefit of CA membership! Out of our 5,000 members, we've got over 1,000 from overseas (Oz, US, NZ, S Africa) who keep us up to date on their experiences while they cruise Europe.
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Normanby
Active Member
Ah, that's great news Jim, thanks.
I have all that documentation for the boat, and I'm on a six month tourist visa, so it looks like I can simply sail away (yippee!).
I'm leaning towards Camaret at the moment, with 'decision waypoint' about 70 miles in, where if knackered I'll decide to turn east and go to Rostoff instead.
AndrewB
Well-Known Member
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Tintin
Well-Known Member
Just go - the French are OK so long as you don't do the Colonel Blimp "I'm British doncha know" approach.
I find it is often easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission (applies to private moorings to
)
I find it is often easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission (applies to private moorings to
)Normanby
Active Member
Te he, me too.Just go - the French are OK so long as you don't do the Colonel Blimp "I'm British doncha know" approach.
I find it is often easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission (applies to private moorings too
I've always been treated well in France, once they know I'm not British.
doug748
Well-Known Member
In Brittany they don't like the French much either.
If they think you are Cornish you are fine.
If they think you are Cornish you are fine.