Travel to Belgium & Holland - Clarification of documents required

Jokani

Jokani

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The RYA recently published a document that I took some notes from, but I'm unsure on a few points:

1) Ships Papers

1.1. Registration documentation
1.2. Ships radio licence
1.3. Proof of the VAT status of the vessel
1.4. Insurance documents
1.5. Evidence that the vessel is RCD compliant (e.g. CE Mark) / exempt
1.6. Voyage log

2) Personal

2.1. Passport
2.2. Poof of authority to operate maritime radio (e.g. SRC)
2.3. Evidence of competence (e.g. ICC)
2.4. European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

I have questions on 3, all relating to the Ships Papers:

1.1. Registration documentation - I presume that this is the SSR Certificate of British Registry?

1.3. Proof of the VAT status of the vessel - My Westerly Centaur was built in 1976, so I presume exempt, but I have no proof of her age?

1.5 Evidence that the vessel is RCD compliant (e.g. CE Mark) / exempt - Unsure what this is or how I would prove exempt?

Any advice greatly appreciated.
 
GaryCottam said:
The RYA recently published a document that I took some notes from, but I'm unsure on a few points:

1) Ships Papers

1.1. Registration documentation -SSR
1.2. Ships radio licence - Strictly ATIS required on radio but you'll be OK without
1.3. Proof of the VAT status of the vessel-Bill of Sale
1.4. Insurance documents
1.5. Evidence that the vessel is RCD compliant (e.g. CE Mark) / exempt- Not required
1.6. Voyage log
1.7 Receipts for red diesel, no red in cans,main tanks only
1.8 Schengen Crew List

2) Personal

2.1. Passport
2.2. Proof of authority to operate maritime radio (e.g. SRC)
2.3. Evidence of competence (e.g. ICC & CEVNI)- Neither required unless vessel >15m and over 20kts.
2.4. European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

I have questions on 3, all relating to the Ships Papers:

1.1. Registration documentation - I presume that this is the SSR Certificate of British Registry?

1.3. Proof of the VAT status of the vessel - My Westerly Centaur was built in 1976, so I presume exempt, but I have no proof of her age?

1.5 Evidence that the vessel is RCD compliant (e.g. CE Mark) / exempt - Unsure what this is or how I would prove exempt?

Any advice greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

As noted above.
 
Thanks for the heads up on the Schengen Crew List, if it helps anyone else the docs can be found here:

Holland

Belgium

As I do not have the original Bill of Sale, I understand that a Bill of sale between 2 UK individuals is sufficient, when supported by proof of age and location, so I plan to take:

1. Bill of sale between 2 UK individuals

2. Proof of age

- Marine survey
- Part 1 Registration
- Insurance documents

3. Proof of location

- Receipt for mooring
- Receipt for harbour dues
- Dry dock records
 
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Your Bill of Sale indicates that the transaction took place in UK so any VAT issues will be the responsibility of HMRC. Original Bill is of no use for this purpose.

Doubt anybody will be the least bit interested in anything except SSR and possibly insurance for your boat and passports for crew.
 
Thanks for the info, I now know the right docs to take!

One last bit. Is it OK to laminate the Bill of Sale to keep it in good condition, or are copies acceptable.

Same for documents lice radio certificates, can these be encapsulated or copied?
 
Tell you what, and this is just a thought, as twice I have arrived Holland unannounced, and been boarded by the Customs as if I was Mr Big drug smuggler. This May I will check out with Brit Coastguard and check in with Dutch CG when in range.

I should add that they behaved like perfect gentlemen, but they asked for all the docs.
 
Your SSR document is already laminated. The others I'd keep as issued, it's been reported on here that sometimes the inspecting people can get a little anal and demand original documents which might include getting upset by laminated ones. We keep good quality colour photocopies of all our bits of paper at home so that in the event of things on board getting soggy we can reconstruct the paper trail if required. The papers on board live in a dry bag so that if it gets dropped on the way to the office things don't get ruined.

Worth noting that in six years of wandering round the Med the only things we've been asked for are Ship's Registration, insurance and passports: they are required at just about every port of call but nothing else.
 
I give regular talks at the Cruising Association (CA) on the subject of "Regulations and Paperwork". These are part of the regular series of seminars the CA gives about "Going Foreign", whether just across to the continent, or aiming for longer cruising periods based in the Mediterranean or Baltic.

The talk is drawn from the pretty thorough content at: http://www.jimbsail.info/going-foreign/docs-and-VAT

If you log in to the site you'll see additional comments which many YBW readers, and local nationals, have added to keep me up to date! Very helpful!
 
EdWingfield said:
Tell you what, and this is just a thought, as twice I have arrived Holland unannounced, and been boarded by the Customs as if I was Mr Big drug smuggler. This May I will check out with Brit Coastguard and check in with Dutch CG when in range.

I should add that they behaved like perfect gentlemen, but they asked for all the docs.
Click to expand...
I have yet to tell the Cloggies i am expeceted to arrive & what has the coasty to do with customs
 
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