Using Red in France...'doing me head in' !!

[pcatterall]

First of all its just Belgium where there are probs with red in your tank. Then a govmt statement that using it anywhere outside UK is potentially illegall.
Then yesterday a recent RYA 'report' suggesting that it is OK to use duty paid red outside UK.
Do we think that the situation in France will have significantly changed?
I think the recent 'report' was on the 'deisel forum' I'll go away and check.
PS Cant find the blooming article now but it was official RYA comment and followed the recent govmt announcement which got us all in a tizzy.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

It's simple really. The govt says its illegal for us to use red outside UK waters but the RYA lawyers say the government writ doesnt run outside UK territorial waters. Arguably ( according to the EU) its illegal inside UK waters anyway but the EU lawyers and the govt are arguing that out.

Hitherto the Frogs and others ( but not the Belgies) have been taking the pragmatic view that if the UK govt allows us to use red, they will not enforce on us the same laws they enforce on their own citizens. What we dont know, and wont know until after 12 months or so, is whether our government now saying its illegal for use to use red outside UK waters and us having signed a declaration saying we would not do so will mean that the Froggies and others will now take a harder line.

It would be logical for them to do so - after all, if we are in their view breaking both the law they apply to their citizens and also the law the UK govt applies to us, why should they give us absolution?

We shall see. Its not clear cut because if there is a risk of the Froggies being hit in their pockets by stay away Brits they become very flexible. Just look at the line they take on qualifications etc when it comes to hiring boats in France

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks Bosun Higgs!! Slightly clearer in the head department now. The situation is at least clarified but the way to proceed still in doubt!!

 

[Rivers & creeks]

Agreed, having written off Belgium and Holland we thought a south coast and northern France summer was on the cards - don't want to miss out on Gravelines

 

[Blueboatman]

Gravelines on a friday night. Ah, the moped memories. Round and round they go

 

[Bosun Higgs]

the way to proceed still in doubt!!

Same here. But given the value of the £ and the much greater number of decent sheltered spots on the UK channel coast compared to the French channel coats I see us sticking to the UK this year until the situation is a bit clearer.

Can visit the channel islands and the scillies - what more could you want. And if a lot of us do that this year, there wont be a problem next year you can be sure.