Fishingferry.com

25/04/2023

Anyone travelling to and back from France this weekend should take note....

The Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union has announced Civil Service industrial action that will impact UK Border Force services from the 28th April 00:01 until 29th April 07:00. The Ports of Calais has been identified as a location that will be affected by this action.

Please rest assured that P&O will continue to operate. Border Force are ready to deploy resource to meet demand and support the flow of travellers and goods through the border. However, travellers should be prepared for a potential disruption.

Thanks
The FF Team

02/08/2022

Good news if you aren't aware of the change to travel....

All travellers
All travellers should familiarise themselves with the entry rules for France before travel.

From 1 August 2022, all COVID-19 travel restrictions for travellers to France have been lifted. The rules that previous applied to travellers coming to France no longer apply:

you are no longer required to present proof of vaccination
you are no longer required to fill out any forms prior to your arrival in France, such as a justification for travel or a sworn statement
you are no longer required to show proof of a negative PCR or antigen test upon arrival in France
This also applies to travel between metropolitan France and each of the French overseas territories.

Similarly, no travel justification is required by the French authorities to travel to another country from France.

If you’re fully vaccinated
Entry requirements for France are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

If you’re not fully vaccinated
Entry requirements for France are the same for all travellers, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

Children and young people
There are no specific requirements for children and young people.

If you’re transiting through France
Transiting is when you pass through one country on the way to your final destination.

Transiting through France is permitted for travellers from the UK in line with the entry requirements set out above.

06/04/2022

We would like to inform our customers of the current situation with their bookings.

P&O and DFDS have had an agreement for around 12 months to be able to put their freight bookings on each other’s ferries. When P&O stopped sailing on 17th March the agreement continued for tourist travel and has been working perfectly until last weekend.

The situation at Dover was an unforeseen nightmare due to grid lock at Dover caused by an accident near the port, the weather stopped all ferries sailing for a time and then a DFDS ferry in Dunkirk crashed into the mooring and was damaged and taken out of action. This left huge delays at DFDS now with one ferry to get everyone on their way while trying to clear the backlog of vehicles.

Yesterday the agreement for P&O customers to travel with DFDS was pulled by DFDS but ONLY for the dates of 8th, 9th and 10th of April in both directions. We managed to get everyone travelling this weekend from Dover cancelled and helped them make alternative travel with other operators. Our customers already in France due back this weekend that now have no ticket to travel home we have booked and paid for them to travel on either DFDS or Irish Ferries so they are not stranded abroad.

The agreement for DFDS to take P&O passengers we have been told will resume on Monday 11th for the foreseeable future. DFDS should have their damaged ferry back by this weekend plus another ferry is being brought back into operation so they should have 3 boats to deal with bookings. P&O are planning to have one ferry operational and sailing on the 12th of April and able to take tourist bookings by the 19th of April. So, until we are told, any customers travelling after 10th April will still be placed on a DFDS ferry until we can confirm that they will be back on a P&O ferry. If the situation changes from the above, will we do what is necessary to get things sorted for everyone.

Over the last two years during COVID and now this situation we have and are doing everything we can to help all our customers in any way we can and have had some reassuring and heart-warming feedback and lots of lovely comments from past and present customers during this challenging time for us.... we really appreciate it... it means a lot.

Hope this helps and thanks.

28/03/2022

While P&O services between Dover and Calais currently remain suspended they have arranged for our customers to be able to travel with DFDS.

Please arrive at the port for your booked sailing time and make your way straight to the DFDS check-in booths with your booking reference number and DFDS will check you in for boarding to sail with them.

We appreciate your patience during this time.

Thanks
Fishing Ferry

19/03/2022

Just to let you know that at Calais port drive to a P&O checkin booth as normal and present your booking reference number. They will give you a voucher to then go to a DFDS checkin booth to get checked in…. Pretty simple.

Thanks
Fishing Ferry

18/03/2022

This was sent to us by P&O….

Could you please advise your customers to please arrive at the port as booked and we will arrange to get them away on an alternative carrier as quickly as possible.
Once at the port, your customers should make their way to the DFDS check-in booths.

We apologise for the inconvenience this may have on their journey plans.

17/03/2022

Regarding today’s announcement, we only know as much as everyone else. Sorry we can’t be more informative at the moment.

08/03/2022

Just wanted to let you know that we can’t book any times day or night from the 17-22 March in either direction. P&O can’t tell us why but we think that one of the ships has been removed from the schedule making available next to none for us…. Sorry!!!

15/02/2022

The latest info supplied to us by P&O Ferries....

France will continue to accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 vaccination record (NHS COVID Pass) at the border as proof of full vaccination on the condition that the booster vaccine dose must have been administered at least 7 days prior to travel for Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna or 28 days after a single dose of Johnson & Johnson.

All travellers aged over 18 and one month, who had their primary vaccine course over 9 months ago, and have not since received a COVID-19 vaccine booster must follow the rules for unvaccinated passengers to enter France (see below).

If travellers are not fully vaccinated / not yet received a booster and their primary course of vaccinations are over 9 months old:

From 14 January 2022, travellers from the UK who are not fully vaccinated will need to self-isolate on arrival in France for 10 days, subject to police checks.

They must also provide:
• a negative PCR or antigen test result taken within 24 hours pre-departure if aged 12 years and over
• contact details before travel to France, including the address they will be staying at, to the French authorities via an online form
• a completed international travel form to prove the reason for essential travel. This can be found on the French government’s website. In exceptional circumstances, the French Consulate in London may be able to assist with travel for a compelling reason not listed as an ‘essential reason for travel’
• a completed ‘sworn statement’ (déclaration sur l’honneur) form self-certifying they are not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight. This can be found on the French government’s website

Passengers may also be asked to complete the EU-PLF form before boarding.

Passengers must not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to an-other country. They should arrange to take a private test from a private coronavirus testing provider. Test results must be certified by an approved private test provider to be accepted.

Children and young people
The same measures applied to vaccinated adults are applied to any minors (17 and under) who are travelling with them, whether vaccinated or not. Therefore, if an unvaccinated child arrives in France with a vaccinated adult, they may follow the rules of entry for those who are fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated minors (aged 12 – 17) accompanied by unvaccinated adults or unaccompanied unvaccinated minors are subject to the same travel regulations as unvaccinated adults (PCR/antigen test less within 24 hours pre-departure, essential reason for travel, ‘sworn statement’, digital platform registration and self-isolation on arrival).

Children under 12 are exempt from all COVID-19 travel restrictions, but must still complete a ‘sworn statement’.

Further guidance can be found on the French government’s website, and the French Embassy in the UK’s website.

03/02/2022

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10470279/France-bans-tourists-no-Covid-booster.html?ito=social-facebook&fbclid=IwAR0HJUH-BCtG7mVxGHAF9oRz_6WUH0f5FOdbcrhc_vy6UG-NzqN_DdM8348

Britons wanting to go skiing or on city breaks to Paris for the half-term break will have to get a booster if they received their second dose any earlier than May last year.

29/01/2022

Going fishing in France this year and need to book your Dover to Calais ferry crossing?

13/01/2022

https://news.sky.com/story/france-eases-covid-travel-restrictions-for-people-arriving-from-uk-12514769?fbclid=IwAR3lRifMU8mEFpJJk5lvhbh_am1tC1yzCQFJf1lUWN6tMcAsNDKNPhsW6BE

People travelling from the UK to France will no longer have to self-isolate on arrival or show proof that their trip is essential.

19/10/2021

This is the latest info regarding travel to France...

The government have now confirmed that lateral flow tests for ’day 2’ will be introduced in place of PCRs from 24Oct21 for fully vaccinated passengers and most under 18s arriving in England from countries not on the red travel list. Further information can be found here.

These rule changes will make testing simpler and cheaper for the fully vaccinated. Tests will still need to be booked in advance via approved private providers listed on GOV.UK.

Passengers who are not fully vaccinated with an authorised vaccine returning from a non-red destination must still take a pre-departure test, a PCR test on day two and day eight test and complete 10 days of quarantine, with the option to test to release on day five.

All travellers must complete their Passenger Locator Form prior to travel, including a test booking reference number supplied by a testing provider. Travellers will be able to upload their test booking reference to the Passenger Locator Form from 22Oct21 for arrival in the UK from 24Oct21.

The government will continue to publish a list of private testing providers who meet the minimum standards for Lateral Flow, PCR & test to release options. NHS Test Centres cannot be used for any form of Covid-19 testing for travel.

03/10/2021

We have now activated our ticket pricing for all dates up to the end of October 2022. There is a slight increase on last year but we are still miles cheaper than booking direct... and don't forget we are the ONLY company that you can split the cost of your ticket over 4 equal payments.

https://www.fishingferry.com/index.php?id=05122014145459880

Thanks
The FF Team

12/08/2021

We would like to welcome ClubCarp as a new associate of Fishing Ferry.

ClubCarp is a quarterly Carp Fishing Subscription Box delivered straight to your door of the best hand selected carp fishing items tailored for all 4 seasons including end tackle, tooling, bait and life products.

Check them out at and get signed up at;
https://clubcarp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/clubcarpofficial/

Enter your email address below to register your interest for our Winter 2020 Club Launch

09/08/2021

Anyone wanting to know the current requirements for travelling to France and back please read the 'Covid Travel Information' section in our FAQ's page.

https://www.fishingferry.com/faqs.php

Thanks
The FF Team

Find out questions like do I need a ticket to get on the ferry?

04/08/2021

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58079107

As restrictions on France ease, countries including Germany, Austria and Norway move to the green list.

08/07/2021

Double jabbed people no longer have to quarantine - Shapps https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-57760251?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=60e6d5db0b3dca32bbbff513%26Double%20jabbed%20people%20no%20longer%20have%20to%20quarantine%20-%20Shapps%262021-07-08T10%3A40%3A27.743Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:fb99dfbd-7ba0-4a29-a040-a48702a227d6&pinned_post_asset_id=60e6d5db0b3dca32bbbff513&pinned_post_type=share via

How, when and who will benefit from changes to quarantine rules will be announced in the Commons.

19/05/2021

Anyone travelling to France?... you'll need to read this information.

Essential information to enter England from overseas

Everyone entering England from overseas (including UK nationals and residents) must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 3 days prior to direct departure to England.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england

Fill in your Passenger Locator Form up to 48 hours before arrival. You must declare all countries you have visited or transited through in the 10 days prior to your arrival on your Passenger Locator Form.
https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk

Before departure check the list of red, amber and green countries, as the list can change regularly.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england

Red list passengers
1. Book a managed quarantine package
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/booking-and-staying-in-a-quarantine-hotel-when-you-arrive-in-england
2. Complete a passenger locator form
https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk

You can only enter if you are a British or Irish National, or you have residence rights in the UK. You must enter through a designated port of entry and quarantine in a government approved hotel for 10 days.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/booking-and-staying-in-a-quarantine-hotel-when-you-arrive-in-england

Amber list passengers
1. Book tests for day 2 and 8
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england -list
2. Complete a passenger locator form
https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk
3. Make plans to self-quarantine in private accommodation for 10 full days after arrival (or full duration of stay if less than 10 days)

Green list passengers
1. Book a test for day 2
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england -list
2. Complete a passenger locator form
https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk

These measures apply to all persons (including UK nationals and residents) arriving in the UK from outside the common travel area comprising the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands. The British Overseas Territories are not in the common travel area. Public health requirements may vary depending upon in which nation of the UK you’re staying.

England: https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control
Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-advice
Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-quarantine/pages/overview/
Wales: https://gov.wales/arriving-wales-overseas
France: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france
Netherlands: https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad/mandatory-negative-test-results-and-declaration

Failure to comply with these measures is a criminal offence and you could be fined. There are a limited set of exemptions from these measures. Check the list of exemptions carefully. You may be fined if you fraudulently claim an exemption.

If you're travelling to the UK, you need to provide your details in case you or someone you've travelled with develops coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.

12/05/2021

From 17th May 2021 travel to France IS allowed.

There seems to be quite a lot of confusion and uncertainty regarding travelling to France so this is how things stand...

Entering France from UK
The UK is one of seven non EU countries that France have classed as safe and if you are arriving from one of those seven countries, you can enter France. You must comply with health regulations to enter France (PCR test and sworn declaration). You must self-isolate for seven days after your arrival. However, reports say this is only voluntary. Even it if wasn't, you will be self-isolate at a lake. From the 9th June 2021, France are looking to lift restrictions so maybe the PCR test and self-isolation will be lifted but this will be detailed nearer the time from the French. Full details of this can be found on the French Diplomacy Government website https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-for-foreign-nationals-in-france/

Entering the UK from France
The UK government from the 17th May 2021 will lift the legal restrictions to travel abroad but have placed France in the amber list of countries that means you should not travel to amber list countries or territories for leisure purposes. However, this is guidance from the government and not classed as an illegal trip so you can travel if you wish (i.e. the same as it was last year). You must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 3 days of departure to the UK. You will then need to self-isolate for 10 days. Full travel guidance can be found at https://www.gov.uk/travel-abroad and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england -list

Hope this helps.

The FF Team

11/03/2021

We just wanted to give a little info regarding travelling for fishing in France.

Travel
Currently we are legally not allowed to travel but the UK government has stated that this restriction will be lifted from the 17th May at the earliest and some reports say it will not happen until the 21st June. The UK Government will be producing a report on the 12th April with recommendations on international travel that will outline everything we will need to know. There is a lot of talk about green passports etc but we should find out more on the 12th April so keep alert for this. Once we are given the all clear to travel we also have to be allowed by the EU into France. Again, we need to find out when this will be allowed and what the regulations and requirements will be to enter France.

Driving
As we are now out of the EU there are a few things that you'll need to drive in France. First, you'll need a Green Card from your vehicle insurance provider. This is for proof that the vehicle is insured abroad. Without this, you probably will be turned away at French border control in Dover. You also need to carry your certificate of motor insurance, the log book (V5C) for the vehicle and your UK photocard driving license. You don't need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the EU if you have a UK photocard driving licence. You need to display a GB sticker if your number plate has the Euro symbol; a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales; or letters and numbers with no flag or identifier. You don't need a GB sticker if your number plate includes the GB identifier on its own or with the Union flag.

Fishing Bait & Food
There is also a lot of talk online about what you can and can't take as fishing bait abroad. As far as we are aware you can't take any fishing bait. This includes boilies, hook baits, pellet and particles. If you are caught with these by French customs they will be confiscated and destroyed as they are illegal. If you're stopped and are caught trying to hide or conceal these they will be also confiscated and you could be arrested and charged with smuggling. This will be logged onto your passport. Some countries like the USA won't allow anyone into their country if they are charged with this offence!

Boilies are available in some French tackle shops but some have nearly sold out with no more stock available because unfortunately the bait companies now need certification and checks to export to the EU. This is expensive and something that can't be done quick. Some companies are producing within the EU already so are OK. Some lakes have already sourced a EU bait supplier and are stocking boilies for English anglers on their lakes.

Regarding food... you can't take any meat or dairy products. We are currently not sure about tinned veg or items like rice and pasta etc but definitely bacon and sausages are banned. Again... the same consequences come into effect as with bait. Most food items (apart from bacon and English bangers) are available in French supermarkets.

Carp anglers will just need to apply a slightly different approach to their French fishing trip in future to get organised well before they travel. We also, expect that due to Friday/Saturday at Dover where there is a lot of anglers going to France, there may be extra delays while customs check for these illegal items.

We just wanted to let you know and if we get any more detailed info or if things change we'll let you know.

Please share this or forward it to anyone you know that fishes in France as many, many anglers are unaware of the changes.

Thanks
The FF Team

22/02/2021

As the government have just announced that international travel will not be allowed before the 17th May 2021, we will be contacting everyone with a booking to arrange a refund or credit. We also need to be allowed by the EU into France so we'll need be aware that even if we get the go ahead from the UK, we still might not be able to cross the channel but all fingers are crossed.

Thanks
FF Team