UK Border Agency - Could AIS Transponder be a solution

[haydude]

Given that to board a vessel the UKBA should have reasonable grounds to suspect ...
If I carry an AIS transponder and my trace testifies that I am just doing coastal sailing and I have never left UK waters, would the reasonable suspicion still stand?

"163 Power to search vehicles or vessels .
(1)Without prejudice to any other power conferred by the Customs and Excise Acts 1979, where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that any vehicle or vessel is or may be carrying any goods which are—.
(a)chargeable with any duty which has not been paid or secured; or.
(b)in the course of being unlawfully removed from or to any place; or.
(c)otherwise liable to forfeiture under the customs and excise Acts,.
any officer or constable or member of Her Majesty’s armed forces or coastguard may stop and search that vehicle or vessel.
(2)If when so required by any such officer, constable or member the person in charge of any such vehicle or vessel refuses to stop or to permit the vehicle or vessel to be searched, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a penalty of [F1level 3 on the standard scale]."

 

[snooks]

AIS doesn't prove you haven't nicked it or that you've paid VAT on your vessel tho

So when they do board you, offer them a cuppa

 

[Major Catastrophe]

UK Border Agency - Could AIS Transponder be a solution

Yes, if you want to live in a society where your every journey is monitored and stored by government agencies.

But, if AIS were the answer, the AIS blur in the Solent on a warm summer's weekend would provide the perfect smokescreen to allow a lone 'runner' in or out.

 

[fireball]

The problem with that is that it would be relatively easy for the determined to spoof AIS transmissions as the Navy have been practicing doing ...

 

[Woodlouse]

The UKBA could simply suspect you of carrying and consuming bonded stores bought in England which duty has not been paid for. Doesn't matter if your just coastal sailing then, if they want to board you then an AIS track isn't going to stop you. You don't have to be returning from a trip abroad for them to want to be nosy and suspicious.