It is the owners/person in charge’s responsibility to ensure that the correct procedures are followed. JOG take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information and only offer it as a guide. Requirements change often and this should not be a substitute for official information.

The following papers are required to be carried on board:

* Registration document
* Evidence of Competence (e.g. ICC)
* Ship Radio Licence
* Authority to Operate Maritime Radio
* Insurance documents (requirements vary by country and may be required in the language of the country you are visiting)
* Evidence of eligibility for relief from VAT and import duty (to facilitate your return to the UK)

More details can be found on the RYA website.

You should check that all crew have passports that:

* Are less than 10 years old on the day of entry
* Are valid for at least 3 months after the planned date of departure

Non-UK citizens may have additional visa requirements.

Crew should also carry:

* GHIC (or EHIC) 
* Travel insurance including cover for medical care abroad and repatriation

The UK Government advises that GHIC does not replace travel insurance.

Pleasure Craft Reporting (sPCR) online platform – www.spcr.homeoffice.gov.uk – is the preferred option for reporting journeys for anyone leaving or entering the UK. This includes sailing from or to the Channel Islands and Ireland, as well as those sailing to or from other EU countries and the rest of the world.

You must fly the yellow ‘Q’ flag as soon as you enter UK waters (the 12 mile limit).

Do not take down the flag until you have finished reporting to the customs authorities. If you do not comply you will be liable to a penalty.

If you have used the online platform, you are not required to contact Yacht Line on arrival.

More detailed information can be found here.

The following reflects typical procedures for JOG race destinations. These may change, so competitors must always check Sailing Instructions and local authority guidance before departure.  

Racing to Normandy? The Association des Ports de Plaisance Normands can guide you through the necessary procedures for sailing between France and Great Britain and the Channel Islands. Read more here.

Immigration and Customs:
Boats and competitors are responsible for their own immigration declarations. The RYA website has guidance for sailing to France. Here is a list of the things you’ll need to pack/do:

• Passports! Check they’re valid and pack them.
• Vessel registration
• Proof of ownership
• Proof of insurance
• Proof of VAT status
• If you are not the owner, letter of permission from the vessel owner

UK Declarations:
For departure AND arrival, submit a pleasure craft report online. This must be done within 24 hours and up to two hours before departure or arrival.

French Declarations:
Prior to departing the UK AND when you depart France, send the completed “Formulaire déclaratif” form to the marina office ([email protected]).

Passport stamping:
Providing you are sailing back to the UK from Cherbourg, this is no longer required! You must complete the forms, and that is it.

If any crew plan to remain in France, those crew members must promptly head to the PAF office in Cherbourg to get passports stamped and the immigration forms above must accurately account for the crew change.Immigration and Customs.

Immigration and Customs:
Boats and competitors are responsible for their own immigration declarations. The RYA website has guidance for sailing to France. Here is a list of the things you’ll need to pack/do:

• Passports! Check they’re valid and pack them.
• Vessel registration
• Proof of ownership
• Proof of insurance
• Proof of VAT status
• If you are not the owner, letter of permission from the vessel owner

UK Declarations:
For departure AND arrival, submit a pleasure craft report online. This must be done within 24 hours and up to two hours before departure or arrival.

French Declarations:
Prior to departing the UK AND when you depart France, send the completed “Formulaire déclaratif” form to the marina office ([email protected]).

Passport stamping:
Providing you are sailing back to the UK from St Vaast, this is no longer required! You must complete the forms, and that is it.

If any crew plan to remain in France, those crew members must promptly head to the PAF office in Cherbourg to get passports stamped and the immigration forms above must accurately account for the crew change.Immigration and Customs.

Immigration and Customs:
Boats and competitors are responsible for their own immigration declarations. The RYA website has guidance for sailing to France. Here is a list of the things you’ll need to pack/do:

• Passports! Check they’re valid and pack them.
• Vessel registration
• Proof of ownership
• Proof of insurance
• Proof of VAT status
• If you are not the owner, letter of permission from the vessel owner

UK Declarations:
For departure AND arrival, submit a pleasure craft report online. This must be done within 24 hours and up to two hours before departure or arrival.

French Declarations:
Prior to departing the UK AND when you depart France, send the completed “Formulaire déclaratif” form to the marina office ([email protected]).

Passport stamping:
Providing you are sailing back to the UK from Deauville, this is no longer required! You must complete the forms, and that is it.

If any crew plan to remain in France, those crew members must promptly head to the PAF office in Cherbourg to get passports stamped and the immigration forms above must accurately account for the crew change.Immigration and Customs.

Vessels arriving in Alderney from outside of the Bailiwick of Guernsey are required to fill out the Guernsey Border Agency declaration form and place it in the yellow Customs box at the upper end of the dinghy pontoon walkway. You can also collect a copy of the form from the transparent box which is also located at the upper end of the dinghy pontoon walkway. Completed forms must be placed in the yellow Customs box.

In addition, vessels arriving from any port outside the Bailiwick of Guernsey should display a yellow Q flag instead of the courtesy ensign until the yacht is properly cleared by the GBA, after which the Q flag is replaced by the courtesy flag.

All persons on board vessels arriving from places other than the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man, Jersey or the other islands of the Bailiwick must be in possession of a valid passport and/or required visa. For more information on sailing to Alderney please follow this link.

Note: You are still required to follow the guidance for departing and arriving in the UK when leaving and arriving at your home port as your journey is considered to have left the UK, Alderney is not part of the UK but an independent British Crown Protectorate. The UN LOCODE code for Alderney is GGY.