Border Contols

[ashbypower]

Looks like we'll have more Bureaucracy when foreign cruising
MORE

[havener]

More pointless schemes to spend taxpayers money instead of sacking civil servants...

It won't work - as we all know :

Most people just won't bother
Those up to no good will simply file false plans
There'll be no-one around to enforce it anyway
And someone will put all the records on a CD then lose it.

Oh yes, and the project will come in late and at four times the cost estimate.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by ashbypower

Looks like we'll have more Bureaucracy when foreign cruising MORE

This always used to be the case though, filled in a form dropped it into the Customs and Excise box in the marina and then filled in the back page on return.

So you now have to fill an on line form in giving some details of your trip. If it gives C&E a start point to identify the good guys from those trafficking or running drugs then perhaps a small price to pay.

Pete

[havener]

Originally Posted by Pete7

If it gives C&E a start point to identify the good guys from those trafficking or running drugs then perhaps a small price to pay.

Pete

Sorry, I don't see how filling in a form will help. The only way to know would be to seach boats - and C&Es marine section is now so small as to be almost negligable, given the length of coastline we have.

After all, if the was a tickbox saying "purpose of trip" I'd hardly be likely to tick the "drug running" option. It's a bit like those security clearance forms that ask if you've ever been involved in terrorism...

Like a terrorist would say yes...

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by havener

More pointless schemes to spend taxpayers money instead of sacking civil servants...

You have a problem with civil servants, or is it more likely the present Government big difference.

It won't work - as we all know: Most people just won't bother
Those up to no good will simply file false plans, There'll be no-one around to enforce it anyway, And someone will put all the records on a CD then lose it. Oh yes, and the project will come in late and at four times the cost estimate.

Those up to no good will file genuine passage plans and try to hide. They are around, big Customs Cutter regularly seen in Haslar Marina, or you could search on Ribnet for Nautibouys experience.

Pete

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by havener

- and C&Es marine section is now so small as to be almost negligable, given the length of coastline we have.

Exactly, so have a system that can help to identify possible suspects and target them rather than trying to watch everyone.

Pete

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by havener

More pointless schemes to spend taxpayers money
Oh yes, and the project will come in late and at four times the cost estimate.

Hear, hear

[Nos4r2]

Hmm. I wonder how many people will get stopped and searched for being in the wrong place? For example I can't look out of the window to see if the forecast is roughly right so a planned jaunt across the channel is quite likely to turn into a pie and a pint in the Folly.

With 4 hours a day being spent trailering I'm not formfilling at 5am before I leave here.I'd have to do it the day before.

[havener]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Exactly, so have a system that can help to identify possible suspects and target them rather than trying to watch everyone.

Pete

But that system isn't a piece of paper (or an online form).

The only effective deterrant is a C&E presence at sea - yes, there are a few cutters around and they do carry out some random searches, but as a percentage of UK boat movements I should imagine they're pretty low. I would imagine they use some sort of offender profiling - presumably a Saga yacht full of wrinklies is less likely to be searched than a fast rib with 2 POB out at night with no navlights!

I have a distinct feeling that if the money for this scheme (project team, publicity, etc) we put directly into returning C&E officers to marine areas we would see a lot more interceptions per £ of taxpayers' money.

Simon

[John Kennett]

I had a look at e-Borders information on the Border and Immigration Agency web site and it doesn't mention leisure users, only "the travel industry".

I've emailed them asking for clarification.

John