Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
Back in the 70's i was arrested by customs in Ostend dragged along the pontoon & had a machine gun shoved up my nose. I have since been threatened in the last 12 years with fines, twice by Belgian officials (once after helping them film a TV programe about drug smuggling initiatives)
I the 70's the customs officer in Burnham stripped & upended my boat, to the extent that it took the best part of a day to sort the mess he made. He then upset a boat I later sailed on in a race to Ostend, when he recognised me. After that the owner would not take me abroad again.
On a 4 month cruise with my wife in 2004 we had a total of no less than14 french customs officers aboard at different locations. Fortunately without any issues.
3 years ago I went to Boulogne 3 times in 4 weeks, twice taking training runs with crews from our club & on the last one I was on my own & 3 customs officers spent 1 hour 5 mins aboard my boat.. They only searched my boat & left the 4 other British boats alone.They landed on me within 20 mins of my arrival.
Yet a few years ago, in Ostend, I got to know one customs officer( Christian) so well, that he used to look out for me & come & have an "off duty" coffee & a chat. So they can be very friendly.
I am absolutely dreading how it will be once they get the post-Brexit thing going. I expect serious hassle at the minimum :ambivalence:
I the 70's the customs officer in Burnham stripped & upended my boat, to the extent that it took the best part of a day to sort the mess he made. He then upset a boat I later sailed on in a race to Ostend, when he recognised me. After that the owner would not take me abroad again.
On a 4 month cruise with my wife in 2004 we had a total of no less than14 french customs officers aboard at different locations. Fortunately without any issues.
3 years ago I went to Boulogne 3 times in 4 weeks, twice taking training runs with crews from our club & on the last one I was on my own & 3 customs officers spent 1 hour 5 mins aboard my boat.. They only searched my boat & left the 4 other British boats alone.They landed on me within 20 mins of my arrival.
Yet a few years ago, in Ostend, I got to know one customs officer( Christian) so well, that he used to look out for me & come & have an "off duty" coffee & a chat. So they can be very friendly.
I am absolutely dreading how it will be once they get the post-Brexit thing going. I expect serious hassle at the minimum :ambivalence:
