Sailing out of UK bound for France

[Sea Devil]

Can anybody tell me how what document I need to sail out of UK waters bound for France?

The official site I asked said I had to fill in a form, buy a stamp and envelope and post the form!

This cannot be right! There must be an online method of clearing to go foreign?

 

[prv]

I understand there's something in beta testing, but basically they've been as surprised by this as every other effect of the specific thing they've wasted the last half-decade agitating for. So it's not ready.

The paper form and postbox is what existed previously for the few people clearing out direct to non-EU destinations, which was a very small number if we discount the technical requirement to do it for the Channel Islands that most people ignored.

Pete

 

[Sea Devil]

I understand there's something in beta testing, but basically they've been as surprised by this as every other effect of the specific thing they've wasted the last half-decade agitating for. So it's not ready.

The paper form and postbox is what existed previously for the few people clearing out direct to non-EU destinations, which was a very small number if we discount the technical requirement to do it for the Channel Islands that most people ignored.

Pete

Thanks Peter,
I can't believe it... I used to do it in the old days and I remember the form but used to put it in a box near the marina - not a post box rather a CC box or similar - but it's now 2021...

A few months back I spent an hour or so on Zoom or similar with a group answering questions. they had pretty preconceived ideas and did not really want input rather backup for their plan I felt... They were interested in my arrival to UK and clearing in and wanted to know if 'we' could give ports as 100% certain destinations and did not grasp the concept I could arrive at Portsmouth and have a wide selection of harbours/marinas or anchorages within that port and asking me 48 hours in advance for my stopping place could only be an intention and not a fact.

Seems to me this is going to be a mess once all you guys in the UK come out of lock down and start heading across the channel - bit like amateur night at the grand... if there is no way of clearing out except with a paper in an envelope with a stamp... Something maybe the RYA and CA should be onto!!!

 

[lumphammer]

There is a site in beta at the moment link below

Submit a pleasure craft report

 

[Daydream believer]

I am gradually entering info re Brexit items on out Mooring Holders website
Some other stuff forumites might find of interest as well

Direct link

 

[Sea Devil]

I am gradually entering info re Brexit items on out Mooring Holders website
Some other stuff forumites might find of interest as well

Direct link

Thank you for that - It's crazy - departing is not catered for electronically at all as far as I can see,,, How can it be so difficult?
Do the RYA and CA know what's going on?

Yachtline seems OK for returning or in my case entering vessels but why can it not incorporate departures?

 

[laika]

Seems to me this is going to be a mess once all you guys in the UK come out of lock down and start heading across the channel

This has been the procedure for visiting the channel islands for as long as I've been sailing there. The question is whether folk will observe the requirement as strictly for France as they have previously with the CIs, and whether the border force will care any more.

 

[Sea Devil]

This has been the procedure for visiting the channel islands for as long as I've been sailing there. The question is whether folk will observe the requirement as strictly for France as they have previously with the CIs, and whether the border force will care any more.

But now with Brexit it's all different for the French... Strictly they will ask for your clearance papers from your last port - UK.. That's how it works outside of Europe. I seem to remember before Brexit happened just sailing off to France, eating and drinking well and sailing back,

Now Brexit has happened of course we need to check into the UK and declare our duty free etc. Same is true for the French. They are going to stamp our passports to make certain we have 90/180 time scale days available to us and check our duty free allowances and so on...

All the above is fine and pretty straight forward except if you find a nice weather window and say lets go to Cherbourg or Boulogne on tomorrow mornings tide you have to fill out the form 133.. Direct link which DayDreamer kindly posted, go ashore and find an envelope, stamp and PO box in this year 2021...

 

[Fascadale]

Sadly Brexit is not about 2021, more about some distant golden age, either in the future or in the past

 

[matt1]

Does anybody know whether this form filling is only for landing in a foreign country or still applies when sailing through their territorial waters?

 

[voyager35]

Base in the Solway/ west coast of Scotland in is fairly normal for use to wander between north and south Ireland. If we pass through northan Irish waters does this mean we can land in southern Island with no paperwork and return in the same way . It appears that no paperwork is needed to travel between the two countries so would I have to return to England/Scotland from northan Irish waters to post the paperwork before turning around and sailing back to Southern Island

 

[tillergirl]

Notice 8: sailing your pleasure craft to and from the UK
It is almost exactly as the pre-EU joining. Just a form, not a sweat.

 

[laika]

But now with Brexit it's all different for the French... Strictly they will ask for your clearance papers from your last port - UK..

You don't currently get "clearance papers". You just mail the border force your form.

All the above is fine and pretty straight forward except if you find a nice weather window and say lets go to Cherbourg or Boulogne on tomorrow mornings tide you have to fill out the form 133.. Direct link which DayDreamer kindly posted, go ashore and find an envelope, stamp and PO box in this year 2021...

...which is no different from if you happened to be anchored in Studland and wake up with a beautiful breeze for sailing to Alderney.

 

[eddystone]

Personally, I now rule out casual/spontaneous sails to France as impractical/onerous. As I don't expect England (post break up of the UK) to re-enter the EU in my sailing lifetime I will now never be able to visit those North Brittany anchorages.

 

[Fascadale]

Personally, I now rule out casual/spontaneous sails to France as impractical/onerous. As I don't expect England (post break up of the UK) to re-enter the EU in my sailing lifetime I will now never be able to visit those North Brittany anchorages.

That’s rather sad but it is also becoming more likely that English yachts will face the same problems visiting Scotland as the British now have visiting France.

 

[LadyInBed]

I've downloaded a 1331 and edited it to include my boat and personal information then printed off a few copies.
Hopefully things will have changed to online reporting for when we can finally go.

 

[Daydream believer]

...

I've downloaded a 1331 and edited it to include my boat and personal information then printed off a few copies.
Hopefully things will have changed to online reporting for when we can finally go.

That is what I have done. Then all I need to do is carry some forms & envelopes on the boat. If I suddenly decide to go I can just add the variables pop the envelope in the post & go. It is no different to the 70s when i used to notify customs of my departure. Arrival is easy in that i post the return form & back it up with a phone call. If for some reason the trip s abandoned ( which does happen from time to time) i will just make a note & phone yachtline ( limited O2 signal at Bradwell!!) & let them sort it
Once they get flooded with bits of paper arriving late due to the post etc & cancelled trips crew changes etc. they will not have a clue what is going on, so something will be sorted
Just get used to it

 

[Sea Devil]

My problem is not being south coast based going to a post office even buying stamps is a major hassle and it's archaic.. the download of the forms is a good idea .

 

[st599]

Does anybody know whether this form filling is only for landing in a foreign country or still applies when sailing through their territorial waters?

Each foreign country has a different method. Belgium has an online form. France you have to enter at a port of entry, visit immigration and customs.

For returning to the UK, Cowes NTM states you have to ring Yachtline and Border Force then find a post box.

 

[Sea Devil]

I was only grumbling about the UK clearance papers. I live in France and the system is pretty clear and straightforward. In all of Europe It appears the UK border force need people to fill in paper forms, put them in an envelope, buy a stamp then find a post box... its 2021