Post-Brexit Channel Hop

The sailing was fantastic, the admin a little onerous and the French Border Patrol visit a surprise - Steve Hodges and Sam McClements share their first post-Brexit Channel hop experience

- Steve Hodges and Sam McClements

Much like few great rugby tales ever start with the words 'I sat down to a salad and glass of water', no great adventure story should start with 'I opened the laptop and completed my e-C1331'.

However this is the post-Brexit position we find ourselves in nowadays as yachtspeople wanting to visit European shores. So how do we make it as stress-free as possible?

The formalities

You will need to be connected to the internet, firstly to send the form but also, unless you have knowledge of every UN/ LOCODE you will visit, you will need to look things up.

Make sure you have your Small Ships Register (SSR) numbers to hand, your hull identification number, call sign and details such as vessel name and type, port of registry, registered number; nationality of yacht; length, tonnage; normal moorings, when and where built; on charter; if any prohibited or restricted goods are on board; Maritime Mobile Service Identity number; and International Maritime Organisation number. That's just for starters.

Then there's the details of your trip, date, and place of departure, destination detail, and expected arrival date. This is the tricky bit for advance submission. We love the freedom of sailing and are happy to change plans, but any variation to what is submitted on these forms must be reported to the National Yachtline, so it's easier to leave the form completion until late and get it right.

You will also need the details of all crew and passengers, including passport numbers, date of birth, nationality, and signature. So it helps to get these in advance.

There is seemingly no 'there and back' form, so another e-C1331 needs to be completed prior to your return.