News

This page provides a summary of information regarding checking in and out at Channel ports produced by the Cruising Association (CA). It collates information provided by French Officials, French marinas, CA Volunteers, CA Honorary Local Representatives and CA members.

Note: UK VAT paid boats that were in the EU on 31 December 2020 23:00 UTC and did not loose that status aferwards are considered as EU VAT paid boats. A boat can loose its EU VAT paid status if it left the EU for a period of three years or longer, or was sold while outside the EU.

Temporary Admission (TA) is a means of entry for foreign boats for limited periods without the need for formal importation and customs duties.

Congratulations to CA member Clare Harrison, winner of April’s prize of a TeamO Coastal 170N BackTow Lifejacket worth £165.

RATS has seen a notification from the UK Government via social media that there have been changes to the foodstuffs, including certain meat and dairy products, that you can bring back into Great Britain. Note there are different rules for Northern Ireland. This is a temporary tightening of the rules as a result of animal disease outbreaks (including foot and mouth disease) in the EU. These restrictions also apply to pet foods.

Whether it’s a river entrance, a panoramic harbour view or a hidden gem from your anchorage, your photos on CAptain’s Mate bring reports and locations to life - making it the award-winning app we all rely on.

Barbados is a popular first landfall for many sailors after crossing the Atlantic.

For James Graham-White, arriving at Port St Charles after his first crossing made a lasting impression. He describes it as, "Still one of the nicest places I have ever anchored, even after 5 months in the Caribbean!"

Recent press reports have highlighted that the UK Government is investigating potential fraudulent use of virgin palm oil in the feedstock (source material) of the renewable diesel known as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).

On 8 April 2025, Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson Ltd (Imray), a leading publisher of nautical information for recreational sailors, and Austrian cartographic specialist freytag & berndt (FB) announced they have signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture.

In response to the recent (9 April 2025) BBC investigation, the HVO Joint Working Group has issued the following statement:

On 19 March 2025, the CA’s Regulatory & Technical Services (RATS) group hosted their fifth 'Evening with RATS', which was open to members and the cruising community. The recording of the CA’s ‘Evening with RATS’ is now available to watch below.