Since Brexit, the entry regulations for European yachts travelling to the UK have been revised and simplified several times. However, anyone travelling back from outside the Schengen area must also comply with entry protocols. This has been a little easier since June. Among the 53 participating marinas are also Mediterranean ports for arrivals from Africa. This was reported by marineindustrynews.co.uk with reference to the British Cruising Association.
Registration before entering the Schengen area
Crews must inform the port of destination before arrival. In the case of a short Channel crossing, the notification must be made at least 24 hours before arrival. If the journey takes longer than 24 hours, the notification must be made before leaving the last port outside the Schengen area. A complete crew list and the yacht's details must be submitted. As the marinas must provide the crew with a special form and are obliged to inform the competent authorities of arriving yachts and wait for clearance, it is advisable to allow more than 24 hours.
Michaël Quernez, President of the French Federation of Ports of Pleasure (Fédération Française Ports de Plaisance - FFPP), praised the cooperation of the authorities and hopes that the new regulations will lead to more visitors to the ports: "I would like to thank the DGDDI and the DNPAF for their very constructive approach, which listened carefully to the concerns expressed by the port authorities in a complex geopolitical situation. Indeed, many sailors, especially English sailors, stopped coming to France after Brexit, and French sailors also stopped visiting the United Kingdom. This situation led to a huge drop in visitors to our harbours and coasts. This protocol has facilitated the entry and exit of seafarers within the Schengen countries in a robust and pragmatic way."
