Weather diversion makes official port of entry unreachable

[eddystone]

I suppose this is a variant of the Studland Bay dilemma. If you are aiming for a port of entry in France and due to conditions or crew fatigue, equipment malfunction etc., you have to divert to a refuge which is not a port of entry, what are the likely consequences? Alternatively, if you were sailing from the UK to the Channel Island but due to similar circumstances had to put in at a French port which may or may not be a port of entry but in any case were carrying on board provisions which are not allowed to be taken by non EU citizens into the EU, e.g milk products, meat, fruit and vegetables which require a certificate (anything except bananas, pineapple and dates). Fines, impounding of yacht etc?

I'm sure many are thinking post Brexit it's just not worth the hassle to go outside UK waters but would still want to visit Channel Islands but can't exclude the risk of having to divert to a French harbour.

 

[TernVI]

Your boat is a ship.
You enter harbour flying flag Q.
You don't take ship's stores ashore.

The rules for foodstuffs are probably much like during the foot and mouth disease outbreak some years back.
Somewhere in every yacht club, there is probably a dusty RYA booklet from the days of the Booze Crooze to France?

 

[geem]

We sail in the Caribbean normally. We hoped to sail back across the Atlantic later this year. Sailing there where every island is a separate country is normal for us. Anybody clearing in to Martinique or Guadeloupe generally clears in via a cafe, boutique, chandlery or bar. They have a computer where you do the clearance online. You print out the paperwork and for the grand sum of €2 you can clear in or out. These are French Islands so no reason why the same facility cant be adopted on the French mainland.
Alternatively you could end up with the same system that exists in lots of the other islands. A lot more hassle, only a couple of places to clear in and out and more expense. Even on these islands if you stop at a location that doesnt have clearance facilities, you hoist the Q flag and dont go ashore. Nobody can turn you away from a port of refuge

 

[Vicarage]

Even on these islands if you stop at a location that doesnt have clearance facilities, you hoist the Q flag and dont go ashore. Nobody can turn you away from a port of refuge

Genuine question - how does this work in a port where the most suitable stop is to berth in a marina? Is tying to a pontoon and walking to the office to get the electric codes etc ok?

 

[claymore]

Put your trust in the common sense of the Port Authorities. If its a Port of Refuge then you wouldn't be turfed out.

 

[Sandy]

I'm sure many are thinking post Brexit it's just not worth the hassle to go outside UK waters but would still want to visit Channel Islands but can't exclude the risk of having to divert to a French harbour.

First you will need to wait until the CI open their waters. My current understanding is you are contacted by VHF by the CG and asked of your intentions at three miles, at two they send the gun boats out, at one mile you hear the twang of search gloves and swallow hard.

I'm looking forward to my first trip to the mainland, also known at Continental Europe, and meeting up with friends there, but I am Scots and am excused all sorts of "le rostbif" jokes.

 

[Uricanejack]

I suppose this is a variant of the Studland Bay dilemma. If you are aiming for a port of entry in France and due to conditions or crew fatigue, equipment malfunction etc., you have to divert to a refuge which is not a port of entry, what are the likely consequences? Alternatively, if you were sailing from the UK to the Channel Island but due to similar circumstances had to put in at a French port which may or may not be a port of entry but in any case were carrying on board provisions which are not allowed to be taken by non EU citizens into the EU, e.g milk products, meat, fruit and vegetables which require a certificate (anything except bananas, pineapple and dates). Fines, impounding of yacht etc?

I'm sure many are thinking post Brexit it's just not worth the hassle to go outside UK waters but would still want to visit Channel Islands but can't exclude the risk of having to divert to a French harbour.

A hypothetical I presume.

Obviously you are supposed to comply with what ever entry requirements exist.
Not complying with those requirements will most likely result in an awkward situation.
If spotted or reported.

If facing the hypothetical dilemma, for some reason not being able to make the required port.
I would think a call to CG stating nature of problem, and informing them of intent.
would go a long way to reducing awkward questions after the fact.
if the response to your reported intent. was not favourable,.
You. would have to declare it as an emergency.
Back to the hypothetical. Just my opinion, not something I know.
This is not a situation where you request permission.
A request for permission implies it’s a choice and you still have options. And a request can be turned down.
This would be something you only considered as a response to significant risk It’s no longer an option.
Therefore it’s some form of emergency.
So don’t be surprised if a life boat or other asset is tasked to assist.

Not calling, I would expect to result in some awkward questions. From Gendarmes, Border Force, Customs ect.
The response would depend on what was their opinion of your answers.
which could be any where form
well alrighty then
to
rubber gloves and handcuffs.

 

[LadyInBed]

Just watching Day of the Jackal it's a fair reminder of what Border control could be like.
I've forgotten, which side does my Q flag fly? I think it's Port. I must give it a wash ?

 

[eddystone]

Just watching Day of the Jackal it's a fair reminder of what Border control could be like.
I've forgotten, which side does my Q flag fly? I think it's Port. I must give it a wash ?

I need to replace my missing port side flag halyard to have the choice

 

[DJE]

When sailing to France before the days of free movement there was never anybody interested in customs formalities for English yachts on their side. The Q flag was mainly an invitation for the duty free supplier to come and take his order. There was much more hassle with ports of entry and customs inspections when trying to get back into the UK.
I wonder how different things will be this time. I haven't been able to find any official guidance from the French. Does anybody have a link to these details? Is there a list of ports of entry, office hours, etc?
I can't see it putting me off crossing the channel.

 

[Skylark]

Put your trust in the common sense of the Port Authorities. If its a Port of Refuge then you wouldn't be turfed out.

I have first hand experience of wanting to sail the Italian Adriatic but being blown into Croatian waters during a prolonged, fairly uncomfortable storm. We put our trust in common sense of arriving at a Port of Refuge but the police forced us to sail another 4 hours to a port of arrival and greeted us with a large fine for illegal entry. ?

 

[claymore]

You win some, you lose some

 

[Robin]

Coincidentally was chatting with sailing friends last night re the new order and they remarked that Cherbourg was not listed as aport of entry, cannot be right surely?? they were also concerned that if they as wrinklies got hir #1 covid vac before they left for summer cruise they would be out of the country by the time #2 would be available if 12 weeks is new norm between shots not 3.

I suppose all will eventually become clear.

 

[John_Silver]

Coincidentally was chatting with sailing friends last night re the new order and they remarked that Cherbourg was not listed as aport of entry, cannot be right surely?? they were also concerned that if they as wrinklies got hir #1 covid vac before they left for summer cruise they would be out of the country by the time #2 would be available if 12 weeks is new norm between shots not 3.

I suppose all will eventually become clear.

Cherbourg is on the list: European ports of entry (scroll down past aviation ports of entry to get to maritime list)

 

[Tomahawk]

Wait and see.
In France it wil bel down to the local chamber of commerce.. If they decide the local plod are costing them too much income because UK boats are not visiting..

 

[capnsensible]

I would expect to see some kind of electronic clearance available in the not too distant future. Already exists in some parts of the world, forms submitted on line. Or at least devolved to marina offices, again as is already widespread in parts of Europe.

 

[Ink]

I have first hand experience of wanting to sail the Italian Adriatic but being blown into Croatian waters during a prolonged, fairly uncomfortable storm. We put our trust in common sense of arriving at a Port of Refuge but the police forced us to sail another 4 hours to a port of arrival and greeted us with a large fine for illegal entry. ?

Croats can be a bit touchy. When heading south into Montenegro, don't cut the corner going into the Bay of Kotor. Got to keep off the Croat headland all the way round if you don't want a visit from one of their gunboats.

Ink

 

[FinesseChris]

Wait and see.
In France it wil bel down to the local chamber of commerce.. If they decide the local plod are costing them too much income because UK boats are not visiting..

Or... the local fishermen will be aggrieved about the new regime, and will pressure the local plod into annoying UK yotties as soft retaliation ("or we blockade the harbour, see?").

Or French Customs will declare a work to rule (Brits being easy victims) to press their bosses in Paris for shorter hours and more pay.

We used to have rights as EU citizens under the single market and free movement, and now we're pawns in whatever row gets cooked up by local interests.

Take back control?

 

[Boathook]

I would expect to see some kind of electronic clearance available in the not too distant future. Already exists in some parts of the world, forms submitted on line. Or at least devolved to marina offices, again as is already widespread in parts of Europe.

I think that the use of ais to track visiting boats will be eventually required. Doesn't tell numbers on board,, but combine that with some simple form (wishful thinking on my part) the authorities can check up as they wish.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Coincidentally was chatting with sailing friends last night re the new order and they remarked that Cherbourg was not listed as aport of entry, cannot be right surely?? they were also concerned that if they as wrinklies got hir #1 covid vac before they left for summer cruise they would be out of the country by the time #2 would be available if 12 weeks is new norm between shots not 3.

I suppose all will eventually become clear.

Noonsite certainly lists Cherbourg as a PoE, and I found it mentioned as such on a French gov website yesterday. I suppose it would have to when you consider the freight and ferries it sees.