haydude
Well-Known Member
I do not understand all the fuss, because of all the countries I could visit, Belgium is possibly among the last on my list. I have been to France several times and I was never checked once.
the belgians are right to fine us for red diesel says my Euro MP
- Thread starter Burnham Bob
- Start date
sailorman
Well-Known Member
where r u based.
it is our nearest landfall on the East Coast & a serious problem due to even entering Belgian Waters
Burnham Bob
Well-Known Member
yes i have sent the reply and the full EU letter sent to my Euro MP to the RYA. No reply so far. I can - I think!- cut and paste the text of the EEC reply to my Euro MP (its actually a pdf of the reply amd some pdfs are editable) on the forum if anyone is interested in the details, its fairly tedious - but not open for debate.
the Belgians are enforcing an EEC directive and presumably the other EEC countries will fall into line in due course.
i'm beginning to wonder if our claims for the fines should not be against the belgians, but against the UK government who ought to indemnify us against the results of their supposedly legal policies
the Belgians are enforcing an EEC directive and presumably the other EEC countries will fall into line in due course.
i'm beginning to wonder if our claims for the fines should not be against the belgians, but against the UK government who ought to indemnify us against the results of their supposedly legal policies
sailorman
Well-Known Member
i'm beginning to wonder if our claims for the fines should not be against the belgians, but against the UK government who ought to indemnify us against the results of their supposedly legal policies
Reply With Quote
100% correct
Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
westhinder
Well-Known Member
Great! If that works, we Belgian yachtsmen will be able to claim from the UK government when we are fined by our Customs upon returning from the UK. As it is now, quite a lot of Belgian yachts have traces of red diesel in their tanks as a result of filling up in the UK and we risk being checked every time we are aboard.
sailorman
Well-Known Member
Risk, what is the likelyhood of that happening in reality
V1701
Well-Known Member
How many people are checked, how many are fined, how much is the fine?
Bav34
...
Really? If so that really is worrying. Everytime we go there I fill my spare tanks which are probably not COMPLETELY empty.
The only time that I actually SEE that diesel is when I syphon it from those tanks into the main tank. (I have one of those 'jiggly pipes')
The diesel in the syphon is always coloured which must suggest that a little red dye goes a long way!
How will we ever get our main tanks 'white'?
geoid96
Well-Known Member
I also have one of those jiggle pumps. The trouble is the plastic tube is pink so the fuel always looks as though it's dyed!
prv
Well-Known Member
Indeed. Personally, with a small engine and a penchant for sailing, the price of diseasel is not a high priority for me. If I were on the East Coast (or if the French decided to follow the Belgians) my problem would be the presence of dye put there by the UK regime, not (within reason) what it cost.
Pete
Bav34
...
Heckler
Well-Known Member
And what do you call yourself?
Stu
ditchcrawler
Well-Known Member
Not only does this apply to Belgium but a British boat was fined in Holland last year(in Middelburg) and this was documented in Yachting Monthly at the end of the summer.He had the necessary receipts from SYH-Levington Marina and it made no difference.I have the same receipts from Levington little use may they be.Our Govt seem to have cocked this up.I don't think I will risk Holland/Belgium next summer.Is it likely that now that the Belgian Embassy have put their case in writing that they may have alerted their own people and their is more likelihood of being inspected and fined.Like others we prefer to cross to Zeebrugge or Blankenberge before going up to Holland as it is a day trip from the East Coast Orwell. This is all very bad news.
sailorman
Well-Known Member
the Embassy can only quote the governments policy, what actually happens might well differ
Heckler
Well-Known Member
+1!
I used to fly Sabena every month from Luanda, it was like going back to the 60s, and as for the staff at Brussels airport! Ignorant pedantic twots! Customer service? not on your nelly, I can understand why they are doing what they they are doing, suits their temperament, and dont get me on about the Dutch speaking ones! Speak to them in French and it was like goosing a virgin spinster, some of the welsh nats can be pedantic about speaking welsh but those dutch speakers, phew, it was hard work! No wonder they havent had a govt for over 500 days!
Stu
Erik C
Well-Known Member
Holland is much stricter in the control of the use of red diesel. It may only be used to heat your boat. The fines are steep, they also check the diesel in your car.
Stork_III
Well-Known Member
His boat is registered in Belgium I believe, not sure of his nationality.
sailorman
Well-Known Member
