visitng channel isles and france, informing customs?

The last year or two, the French seem to have stopped asking about your route. But heaven knows what it will be like after Brexit.

By the way a Guernsey, as it is known, is technically a smock. There used to be cotton ones for the summer, and woolen for winter.
 
EdWingfield said:
If you fly a Q flag you are saying 'I request free pratique.' I doubt that you do - so don't fly it.
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Actually you're saying "My vessel is healthy and I request free pratique". A question I was asked in my yachtmaster exam (and I got wrong as it was before I had a smartphone with a convenient pdf of the ICOS stashed on it, but of course I will now always remember it) : What if your vessel isn't healthy?

I don't think I'd bother with the appropriate signal for a mild case of flu though...
 
laika said:
Actually you're saying "My vessel is healthy and I request free pratique". A question I was asked in my yachtmaster exam (and I got wrong as it was before I had a smartphone with a convenient pdf of the ICOS stashed on it, but of course I will now always remember it) : What if your vessel isn't healthy?

I don't think I'd bother with the appropriate signal for a mild case of flu though...
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You need to warn the Health people of notifiable disease and unexplained death. If that doesn't exist a merchantman is asking to proceed with his lawful business. A yachtsman's lawful business is tourism - and is most welcome.

If you should have a medical problem aboard use the vhf or mobile phone to the Port and be guided by the experts.
 
steve yates said:
I notice ffrom the rya's site that we are supposed to fill in a form if leaving the uk and again on returning, plus fly a q flag until we have rung a number (when we get a phone signal!) if going to a non eu country, like the channel islands!

Is this correct? and if so is it normal practice or is it one of those rules that the authorities have if they need it but in practice it's too much hassle for them to enforce and monitor fully?

If I sail in french waters or enter a french port, am I right in thinking I will need my vhf licence on board, my insurance docs, and a copy of the bill of sale, and must fly the red ensign.
(currently I fly no flag as I have no flagpole and have never seen the need)
Are courtesy flags expected or are they one of those old forms of ettiquette that get traditionalists red in the face?

I have no problem with the idea of flying one, i just don't have one, and am short of time that can be better utilised than shopping for it.
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Never bothered with the Q flag and customs going / coming back from the CIs. Dont know anyone who does. As for the French, I did have my documents examined several times but it was insurance and SSSI not bill of sale and certainly not VHF licence. And yes, for Johnny Foreigner, you need to fly the ensign and generally the correct one not the saltire or dragon

You can expect a more vigorous examination as Brexit progresses. The operation of French customs is political.
 
Anyway I wonder how far Steve got today he has either put into Fowey or plugged on the Plymouth or perhaps still on the way to Dartmouth. Hope the weather was kind to him.
 
steve yates said:
Put into coverack last night, heading across plymouth bay now. V little wind just now but should fill in.
Maybe salcombe or maybe the yealm this eve. Autopilot is on the blink so cold steering :)
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If you do pop into Weymouth or Portland give us a call and we'll definitely have a pint... No Jennings though!
I will pm you my number
Cheers mate and safe journey
 
Tranona said:
Whatever you do, don't go to France without a current registration document for the boat in your name. They don't always ask to see it, but if they do then the on the spot fine makes a serious dent in your wine budget!

As usual the useful information on taking your boat abroad is on the RYA site. None of it is onerous, just needs organising in advance.
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They normally are prepared to accept copies if the boat is chartered.
 
I only ever wore the Q flag on my first visit to N.Ireland from the Republic.

The local boatman called me to tell me take down the yellow flags because the customs had seen it and they couldn't be bothered coming out to the mooring to check the boat.
 
wiggy said:
Does anyone know if the French accept digital versions of SSR, VAT evidence etc
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An exhaustive (and exhausting) thread years ago concluded (if it concluded anything) that an original registration document was demanded in France, by law.
Many VAT documents for older boats are copies of one sort or another, so logically a digital one might be OK. But I emphasise the 'might'.
Originals of insurance docs pose an interesting question, since increasingly the 'original' is digital, including the insurance company signature thereon. Ditto certain licences. In my experience officials of all sorts are not noted for their interest in such paradoxes. (On the other hand a Greek Port Police office was happy to print out my digital insurance 'paperwork' so they had a copy for their records, which within the decade will eclipse Mt Olympus as the highest place in Greece. Since there was no cost, I was happy to contribute. But then you didn't ask about Greece.)

Paper still rules here and there. Quite refreshing in a way.
 
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wiggy said:
Does anyone know if the French accept digital versions of SSR, VAT evidence etc
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Highly unlikely that they will ever ask to see VAT evidence - not in the least bit interested. Registration, passports and possibly insurance.
 
petehb said:
Come on Steve updates where are you.:encouragement:
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Hungover in Weymouth, I blame Andy :)
Went to salcombe, sat out a day to get decent weather for Lyme bay and Portland bill.
Got into Weymouth last night. Drying out today, gear and ourselves :)
5-7 to,orrow from the south, gale on wed, so will prob head round St Albans head for the Solent, via the north channel in the morning, and stop in lymington or Yarmouth to sit out we's gale, then on through the Solent on thurs.
channel isles didn't work out weather and sea state wise this time.
 
steve yates said:
Hungover in Weymouth, I blame Andy :)
Went to salcombe, sat out a day to get decent weather for Lyme bay and Portland bill.
Got into Weymouth last night. Drying out today, gear and ourselves :)
5-7 to,orrow from the south, gale on wed, so will prob head round St Albans head for the Solent, via the north channel in the morning, and stop in lymington or Yarmouth to sit out we's gale, then on through the Solent on thurs.
channel isles didn't work out weather and sea state wise this time.
Click to expand...

I resemble that remark..good to catch up and safe journey to you and Ian
 
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