Ports of Entry

[Daydream believer]

She is probably not a yacht delivery skipper then who is limited to how much baggage she can drag around the world on 3 or more week voyages.

She also may not have spent hours and hours queueing up in various offices across the world clearing boats in and out.

Im also not sure why 2 or 3 years after leaving the customs union, ;abroad' will just go OK, lets just igmore the immigration rules that are legally required and let a few Brits with boats come and go as they please. World just aint like that, Im afraid.....

The point I was trying to make was that in 3-4 years time the system will have settled down. To start with there will be lots of pressure to make everyone comply & lots of agro, when officials & travelers alike, get it wrong. Eventually both sides will begin to relax. officials will probably ease off & be more relaxed about the rules. Sailors will know what to do & be able to comply more easily & how to do so without causing agro. Digital systems will have the bugs sorted & as I said , we will begin to just accept it & get on with living.
In the 70's coming & going was not so difficult & booking in & out of the UK was just normal . I used to wander along to the customs office at Burnham, Ask for a few forms, drop through the letterbox when leaving & hoist the Q flag on return.
It was only when my crew upset the apple cart by smuggling cigars on my boat, without me knowing that caused me agro thereafter .
If I had not forgotten my ships papers, passports etc & my crew had not told the customs officer in Ostend to F off, we would not have been arrested there either !!

 

[Stemar]

I'm not suggesting ignoring any rules. If boats will be required to check in, then that's what we'll need to do. I'm just suggesting that, given France's pragmatic interpretation of other EU rules, there may be a pragmatic way of making it easier for les Rosbifs to spend their money in places other than the ports of entry. It could be an interesting tussle between economic benefits for the hinterland and French officialdom.

TBH, I doubt it'll affect me. I've crossed the Channel plenty of times, and I find a coffee and croissant on a fast cat to be far preferable to sitting in a small yacht in fog, listening to ship's engines getting closer or trying to work out where I'm going to dodge through the M25 of tankers and containerships stretched across the horizon.

 

[Daydream believer]

TBH, I doubt it'll affect me. I've crossed the Channel plenty of times, and I find a coffee and croissant on a fast cat to be far preferable to sitting in a small yacht in fog, listening to ship's engines getting closer or trying to work out where I'm going to dodge through the M25 of tankers and containerships stretched across the horizon.

If you find crossing the channel on a yacht that stressful then the ferry is definitely the right choice for you
I just hope that those thinking about having a go do not read your post & get put off by it.

 

[Stemar]

So do I.

I was thinking of my worst crossings in 24-26 footers with limited speed and no radar or AIS. Actually the main reason for preferring the ferry is that I find that a channel crossing done right is pretty boring. If it's exciting and you're not racing, you're probably doing it wrong

AIS isn't essential, any more than GPS or a plotter were when they were less than ubiquitous, but if I do ever sail across again in my little Snapdragon, I'll have AIS as it would make both the situations I mentioned far less stressful.

 

[Laminar Flow]

I'm not suggesting ignoring any rules. If boats will be required to check in, then that's what we'll need to do. I'm just suggesting that, given France's pragmatic interpretation of other EU rules, there may be a pragmatic way of making it easier for les Rosbifs to spend their money in places other than the ports of entry. It could be an interesting tussle between economic benefits for the hinterland and French officialdom.

TBH, I doubt it'll affect me. I've crossed the Channel plenty of times, and I find a coffee and croissant on a fast cat to be far preferable to sitting in a small yacht in fog, listening to ship's engines getting closer or trying to work out where I'm going to dodge through the M25 of tankers and containerships stretched across the horizon.

Yes, magical when the ferry coasts up that quiet Breton river. The salt of a successful passage sparkles on the foredeck with subtle pride and , distant on a verdant hill, the ancient castle stands silently, silhouetted against a rising sun. All is well with the world I decide and line up at the greasy take-away counter - another croissant, perhaps ... Oops, sorry, wrong film.

 

[Stork_III]

I hope you are right, but that all requires new legislation which does not exist for other non EU countries. And what you suggests sounds like it would require an IT solution. And we know how bad governments are at IT solutions!
As things stand, from 1/1/21 well have to do the same as Aussies and USA citizens and plan ahead much more than we are used to. At least Aussies don't need to apply for their Schengen visa in advance. New legislation will be required for UK citizens to gain the same privilege, otherwise we'll be required to apply for visas online or in person in advance.
Everyone assumes that pragmatic processes will be be put in place, but realistically we have maybe 8 months to replace 40 years of shared European legislation. And on the other side of the channel, 27 countries have to agree to their side of any changes.
I'm a pessimist. I can no longer continue as I have done since 2004, keeping my boat and spending 4-5 months in Europe.
My solution - get a bigger boat and head further afield.

EU have already confirmed that UK citizens will have Visa Free entry, reciprocated by the UK. From 2021 (possibly) EU are introducing on-line ETIAS (European Travel Information and Travel) for non- EU visa free countries, how that works for arrival by boat, not sure.

 

[Daydream believer]

Yes, magical when the ferry coasts up that quiet Breton river. The salt of a successful passage sparkles on the foredeck with subtle pride and , distant on a verdant hill, the ancient castle stands silently, silhouetted against a rising sun. All is well with the world I decide and line up at the greasy take-away counter - another croissant, perhaps ... Oops, sorry, wrong film.

Personally the only thing I would like to send up a French Breton river is a gunboat-- if we had one that is

 

[jordanbasset]

EU have already confirmed that UK citizens will have Visa Free entry, reciprocated by the UK. From 2021 (possibly) EU are introducing on-line ETIAS (European Travel Information and Travel) for non- EU visa free countries, how that works for arrival by boat, not sure.

Are you sure, I thought that was only the case if we reciprocated
EU parliament votes to give UK citizens visa-free access after Brexit
The European parliament has voted to confirm UK citizens will continue to benefit from visa-free travel to member states after a no-deal Brexit.
MEPs voted 502 votes to 81 in favour of the concession – provided EU nationals enjoy the same conditions when travelling to the UK.

Meanwhile the UK plans
Tories announce plan to force EU citizens to apply for US-style visa waiver to enter UK
EU nationals will need to apply for a US-style visa waiver to enter the UK after Brexit, under new plans set out by home secretary Priti Patel.
The proposals mean European visitors, who currently only require an ID card to enter the UK, will be required to fill in an online form and go through additional security clearance at least three days before travelling, with an accompanying demand for payment.


So although we will not need a visa it is likely to be less than hassle free

 

[Stork_III]

Are you sure, I thought that was only the case if we reciprocated
EU parliament votes to give UK citizens visa-free access after Brexit
The European parliament has voted to confirm UK citizens will continue to benefit from visa-free travel to member states after a no-deal Brexit.
MEPs voted 502 votes to 81 in favour of the concession – provided EU nationals enjoy the same conditions when travelling to the UK.

Meanwhile the UK plans
Tories announce plan to force EU citizens to apply for US-style visa waiver to enter UK
EU nationals will need to apply for a US-style visa waiver to enter the UK after Brexit, under new plans set out by home secretary Priti Patel.
The proposals mean European visitors, who currently only require an ID card to enter the UK, will be required to fill in an online form and go through additional security clearance at least three days before travelling, with an accompanying demand for payment.


So although we will not need a visa it is likely to be less than hassle free

That is what ETIAS is from the EU side, so UK are reciprocating. No Visa but pre-permission to travel.

 

[Frogmogman]

Personally the only thing I would like to send up a French Breton river is a gunboat-- if we had one that is

Not as funny as that might have been in other circumstances.

 

[Blue Sunray]

Personally the only thing I would like to send up a French Breton river is a gunboat-- if we had one that is

This do you? We've got more than you might think, but there're going up Fjords rather than rivers right now.

 

[Laminar Flow]

Personally the only thing I would like to send up a French Breton river is a gunboat-- if we had one that is

This do you? We've got more than you might think, but there're going up Fjords rather than rivers right now.

And folk wonder why some of Europe feels a sense of relief that the UK is going (gone). If Boris starts another war, I'm not going to send my sons or consent to my country's resources being sent over to save you, again. Frankly I feel rather sick about these last postings. A.

 

[Daydream believer]

And folk wonder why some of Europe feels a sense of relief that the UK is going (gone). If Boris starts another war, I'm not going to send my sons or consent to my country's resources being sent over to save you, again. Frankly I feel rather sick about these last postings. A.

Fortunately it will not be up to you. Whether you run around with a balaclaver on your head screaming & spitting, in protest that everyone is a facsisct, or not.

 

[Daydream believer]

This do you? We've got more than you might think, but there're going up Fjords rather than rivers right now.

I bet those guys would love to be allowed to pull the triggers. just for a quick burst up the bank at least

 

[Frogmogman]

Fortunately it will not be up to you. Whether you run around with a balaclaver on your head screaming & spitting, in protest that everyone is a facsisct, or not.

Oh, do grow up.

 

[Laminar Flow]

I bet those guys would love to be allowed to pull the triggers. just for a quick burst up the bank at least

Wow! Are you for real? On the other hand, I find it heart-warming how this forum so graciously provides a platform and lends voice to the barely literate and the mentally disturbed.

 

[Daydream believer]

Wow! Are you for real? On the other hand, I find it heart-warming how this forum so graciously provides a platform and lends voice to the barely literate and the mentally disturbed.

Oh come on!! You only have to look at the face of the guy on the starbd side & you can almost bet he is dying to have a quick blast. Surely It is part of the exercise.
Crickey, roaring up and down a fiord all weekend getting wet & cold & not shooting at anything would be a real let down.

 

[Stemar]

Big boys and their toys...

They're clearly having far too much fun to be getting paid. Harrumph!

Not much of a fjord, though - more Tamar than Trondheimfjord.

 

[st599]

EU have already confirmed that UK citizens will have Visa Free entry, reciprocated by the UK. From 2021 (possibly) EU are introducing on-line ETIAS (European Travel Information and Travel) for non- EU visa free countries, how that works for arrival by boat, not sure.

Doesn't that make the situation worse. It doesn't change the 90 in 180 limit. The ETIAS is for people arriving via a registered carrier - so the likelihood of a special status for yachtsmen is even more remote. I think it makes it less likely that a special deal for yachtsmen will emerge.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Doesn't that make the situation worse. It doesn't change the 90 in 180 limit. The ETIAS is for people arriving via a registered carrier - so the likelihood of a special status for yachtsmen is even more remote. I think it makes it less likely that a special deal for yachtsmen will emerge.

Why would they? In the corner of the med by Greece and Turkey there are boats crossing all the time, they didn't bother simplifying the process there ... AFAIK it's still

Assuming the boat is EU registered, VAT paid, has a valid DEKPA, crew are all EU residents, and it's a leisure boat (ie; not charter), the legal situation is:

1. Each time it leaves Turkey (planning to arrive in Greece), it should hand in its Turkish transit log, and crew should obtain exit stamps from Turkey in their passports.
2. On arrival in Greece, a Schengen crew list should be presented to immigration (http://www.jimbsail.info/system/files/Greek Entry Form.pdf), usually represented by Port Police.
3. The boat is not required by Greece to notify its return to Turkey (although EU rules may require this).
4. A boat arriving in Turkey from Greece must arrive at a port of entry, obtain a transit log, and the crew must have valid Turkish entry visas/stamps in their passports

Anecdotally, a few boats don't notify their exit from Turkey, nor their entry to Greece, nor their re-entry to Turkey. This would break legal requirements.

I don't know if any doing this have been caught, and if so, what sanctions were threatened or imposed. That's the problem with anecdotes . . .

Moving between Turkey and Greece by private yacht?

Used to be similar in Croatia too, until they joined the EU.