EU Boat in EU Waters Checking In ?

[stevensuf]

With a Uk flagged boat, do i need to check in/ do customs in other eu countries? or is it borderless?

[boatman61]

You have to check in if you enter a marina/port and lay alonside a pay for berth but the stuff is usually all done by Marina staff these days if your an EU citizen..
but you still need your passport, ships papers and insurance as proof of it all...
If your on the hook I would not bother... if they're concerned they'll come to you..
In the main its all pretty relaxed... especially UK flagged..

[stevensuf]

Cheers boatman, noonsite was kinda vague on the subject, hoping to head down to the med come april, now biscay late april?

[lolarose]

Originally Posted by stevensuf

With a Uk flagged boat, do i need to check in/ do customs in other eu countries? or is it borderless?

HM Revenue & Customs

http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/boa...rmalities.aspx

http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/boa...paperwork.aspx

http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/boa...s/default.aspx

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by stevensuf

Cheers boatman, noonsite was kinda vague on the subject, hoping to head down to the med come april, now biscay late april?

No worse than one in December...lol..
I did one in an H22 a couple of 3 years back..
Should be okay.. get down to Falmouth and wait for a decent weather window... then run down to Bayona outside the continental shelf if the winds favour you.. the sea's are easier in deep water if it kicks up outa the blue... as it often does...
Prefer the st8 run down as opposed to going into La Coruna.. everythings easier to get to and its a good sheltered marina.. don't have to beat W and around Finisterre when you leave either...

[athene]

Effectively all the EU Med countries (and the Atlantic coast ones) are borderless and it is only Turkey that imposes immigration and customs formalities - unless you cross to the African coast. While marinas will often ask for registration documents and insurance details, it is only for their own security. We have only been asked for passports a couple of times in over ten years in the Med and that was in Greece by port police who probably didn't know the form for EU-flagged boats. Of course, it's different when you fly out to your boat as the UK is not party to the Schengen agreement and therefore you are likely to have to produce a passport at the airport on arrival. However, no airline will allow you to travel without one anyway.

[swagman]

Boatman explained it well, but just remember that's for EU registered vessel with EU passport holders as crew. If you've bodies from outside the community, you'll need them to clear in as per the regulations.

And I'm sure you'll appreciate neither Turkey, (nor Croatia, Montenegro, Albania) are 'EU waters' so checking in will be required.

Enjoy
John

[goboatingnow]

Just to look at what's supposed to happen.

For EU member citizens inside the Schengen area. There is no further port formalities other then those required by the marina to check in.

For EU member citizens from non Schengen countries, there is a requirement for such members to check in, at the first Schengen country, then no further check-ins are required. I think holland got tough on this a while back. But in practice this rule has been ignored in most cases.

In my experience in places like Portugal, Madeiras, canaries, the marina keeps a record of Eu passport holders and from time to time the local police check it.

[lolarose]

Originally Posted by swagman

And I'm sure you'll appreciate neither Turkey, (nor Croatia, Montenegro, Albania) are 'EU waters' so checking in will be required.

Enjoy
John

regarding Croatia, this is last summer "free for all"

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by swagman

Boatman explained it well, but just remember that's for EU registered vessel with EU passport holders as crew. If you've bodies from outside the community, you'll need them to clear in as per the regulations.

And I'm sure you'll appreciate neither Turkey, (nor Croatia, Montenegro, Albania) are 'EU waters' so checking in will be required.

Enjoy
John

No it's got nothing to do with the registration flag of the vessel. It's only the passport holders that count.

Dave

[Dockhead]

Theoretically citizenship of crew is key. But I've done many English Channel crossings with the boat full of people with dodgy, non-EU passports, and could never get the French to show the slightest sign of interest. So in practice you may find relaxed attitudes.

[Hydra]

Don't forget that the Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Alderney...) are not part of EU. Jersey has abolished immigration check-in for EU yachts (in 2006, IIRC) but Guernsey has not.

Alain

[lolarose]

something interesting regarding cruising in "EU waters"...


Sail World: Sail and sailing, cruising, boating news

[Irish rambler]

As Dockhead has already confirmed, I've done similar crossings,cruised the canals and Spanish coast.with no problems at all. You need, RYA Day Skippers ticket,preferably coastal, either SSR register or full Part 1 Registration papers, Valid insurance for the boat, A VHF licence is rarely (if ever)demanded.Ports familiar with visiting traffic rarely bother but in out of the way ports you may have curiosity value. Fill your boat to the neck with red diesel and keep the receipts as Red diesel is forbidden for pleasure boats in France. Fly the correct sized flag for your boat with a neat clean courtesy flag, DON'T fly an oversized bedsheet as it causes offence.