Cruising Europe: what paperwork do I need? 

One of the great pleasures of heading out to sea is the freedom which you are afforded. The thrill you get when you ease your boat out past the breakwater, knowing you are free to go anywhere, is one of the fundamental joys of boating.

Well, that’s the dream anyway, but this is real life and the fact is that if you are going to go cruising abroad, you’re going to have to deal with your fair share of red tape on your travels.

If you’re planning on visiting more than one country, then this can become downright complicated.One person who knows more than most about the documents required for cruising abroad is RYA Cruising Officer Carol Paddison, who deals with hundreds of paperwork enquiries on a weekly basis.

She explains: “We all know that getting your paperwork together can be a headache; there are all kinds of things to take into consideration; VAT, registration documents, you name it and the problem is they generally vary from country to country.

“Providing a guide to what paperwork to carry is a bit of a nightmare to be honest, because regulations change and sometimes one official can have a very different interpretation of the same law, so you do have bear that in mind.

“Other than that, enjoy your cruising, wherever you plan to visit. If you follow these few basic tips, then you should avoid getting tangled up in red tape.”

What you need to take - the basics

Wherever you are planning to sail, if you travel in a UK registered boat from the UK, there is a core set of paperwork you will always need to carry.

Ship's papers:         

Registration document: not compulsory in the UK, but a necessity on leaving UK territorial waters.

You will need to present the original registration document- photocopies are not always accepted.         

• Ship's Radio licence and if going inland, you may also need a variation to it for ATIS.

Click here for more information on ATIS       

• Insurance: Most European countries will ask for evidence of insurance cover.

Check the territorial limits of this cover before setting off. Carry the original document.       

• Proof the vessel complies with the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD). This only applies if the vessel was built or imported after June 16 1998.         
•  Receipts of purchase for red diesel showing the correct duty was paid.

This is essential in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France, but it is also a good idea throughout the EU. RYA advice if you are carrying spare fuel in jerry cans is to fill them with white diesel.  

Personal papers        

• Passport        
• European Health Insurance Card. This card is used to obtain free or reduced cost medical care.
• Proof of authority to operate maritime radio.

The minimum for this is the Short Range Certificate for VHF/DSC.

These are the basics, and under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, you have a right of passage through the waters of another country (these usually extend 12 nautical miles offshore). This is on the proviso  you are abiding by the laws of the UK and international conventions such as SOLAS and the COLREGS you are free to navigate through territorial waters.

Things change when you start to cruise; if you are not on a ‘continuous and expeditious passage’ you fall under the jurisdiction of the Coastal State and that is where things can start to get tricky.

In next month's Cruising News we will be heading to France to give you some country specific advice on what paperwork to carry.