Yacht papers, Uk bound

[jonjo]

Yesterday I discovered that the Dutch boatyard where my new yacht is lying insists on moving me to a special place in yard reserved for antifouling.

To save costs I plan to anti-foul this week-end and then Caol Rona will be launched Monday.

This is a round about way of saying I am heading home to the UK a couple of week earlier than expected and it is now time to think about international registration issues.

My Question:

I am allowed to enter UK waters (possible via Belgium and France) armed with a Bill of Sale, VAT Paid document and a certificate of Dutch deregistration?

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[Twister_Ken]

Can't be definitive about the UK, but I'd hazard a yes. It's not compulsory in the UK (yet) for a yacht to be registered, and you've got the two other essentials, proof of ownership and proof of VAT.

Not so sure about what Belgium and France might require.

To be on the safe side, you might want to rush through a SSR.

What ensign will you be flying?

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[Twister_Ken]

PS

You'll also need a licence for any radio transmitters aboard, although the chance of a man from the ministry waiting on the pontoon to demand it the second you arrive is pretty remote.

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[AndrewB]

UK no problem.

No problem coming into the UK where a yacht doesn't need to be registered if the owner is a resident British citizen.

As well as VAT you have to meet the requirements of the RCD. If the boat is not CE marked then evidence it was built, sold or kept in the EC before June 1998 is desirable, copy of the builders certificate or a previous Bill of Sale is ideal.

France and Belgium might need a little more care. Technically you do need to be registered to enter these countries. An insurance cover note is required, and it could get tricky if you don't carry a radio licence for your VHF. French officials do occasionally check visiting yachts, and can be rather, well, officious. I can't imagine they would be seriously concerned about a yacht with a recent deregistration certificate owned by a British subject en-route to Britain, but they might be more than usually fussy to check other documentation is in order. I would be tempted to bypass France if practical.

Of course, you could obtain a British SSR registration and VHF radio licence for the yacht before leaving Holland, but these do take a few weeks to sort.

 

[tony_brighton]

Re: PS

very remote - i've only been asked for it once in 7 yrs of boat ownership. (Radio agency man came walking up the pontoons looking at boats one Saturday).

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[Twister_Ken]

Re: PS

Saturday, eh?

Guess he must have needed the overtime!

Roger, Wilco, Over and Out.

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[Greyelk]

Re Caol Rona

It was a lovely surprise to see the name Caol Rona on this site. If it is the same boat, I spent many happy trips with great friends sailing her out of Ft Wm. We had so many happy hours aboard her and when my friend who owned her was sadly killed, she was taken south and I have not heard of her again. This was around 1997 ? I hope it is the same boat and if so I wish you many happy hours.