Radioing French Harbourmasters

[gravygraham]

I've got this idea that I need an early season visit to France, probably Bolougne. My question is, when I radio in ahead of port entry, will I be greeted with an unintelligible string of crackly Gallic instructions with no hope of me knowing what they're saying?

 

[Lucky Duck]

Haven't yet needed to contact the port control at Bolougne, just obey the IPTS when entering or leaving the inner harbour. With the demise of the SeaCat service there is very little commercial traffic using the inner harbour these days apart from the fishing boats.

'Calais Port' speak good English should you need to talk to them but most of the time following the various IPTSs saves on radio chatter.

 

[sailorman]

Haven't yet needed to contact the port control at Bolougne, just obey the IPTS when entering or leaving the inner harbour. With the demise of the SeaCat service there is avert little commercial traffic using the inner harbour these days apart from the fishing boats.

'Calais Port' speak good English should you need to talk to them but most of the time following the various IPTSs saves on radio chatter.

i only ever use the port signals unless its Dover or Mass Entrance where one has to call them.

 

[gravygraham]

At the risk of a public display of ignorance - IPTS is what? Inbound Port Traffic System/Separation? International Port Traffic Signals? I googled it, and my Reeds is down at the boat.

 

[Lucky Duck]

International Port Traffic Signals

 

[gravygraham]

Thanks Simon.