The new single Pleasure Craft Report (sPCR) service helps maximise maritime border security while making it faster and easier for those travelling on pleasure craft to report the necessary information in advance of travel to or from the UK.

Published 2 years ago

The UK government, via Border Force, has introduced a new journey reporting method for leisure sailors travelling to and from the UK at www.spcr.homeoffice.gov.uk.

As the UK is no longer part of the EU single market, pleasure craft owners now need to report in line with the ‘Rest of World’ requirements, according to the UK Border Force website.

The new pleasure craft report service (sPCR) helps maximise maritime border security while making it faster and easier for those traveling on pleasure craft to report the necessary information in advance of travel to or from the UK.

It is designed to be a one-stop service, recording all necessary information for Border Force and HMRC. The previous C1331 form can still be downloaded and posted if required. However, wherever possible, Border Force encourages the use and promotion of the new digital service.

The new online service – www.spcr.homeoffice.gov.uk – is currently in ‘beta’ mode and users are asked to submit feedback once they have used the new system.

Using the Service

New users will first be required to complete a ‘once only’ account registration, before being required to ‘add a pleasure craft’ and then proceeding to submit voyage plan data including:

• Boat Registration Number
• MMSI and Callsign
• AIS –an AIS transponder, not just a receiver
• Skipper’s details
• Full names, date and place of birth, passport or travel document details for all people on board
• Goods documentation
• Date and estimated departure and arrival locations and times for your voyage plan

The voyage plan must be submitted at least two hours but not more than 24 hours before departure. 

Accessible and User-Friendly

“The change to a new online service delivers a far more accessible and user-friendly experience, making it easy to log new and alter existing passages,” commented Derek Lumb, President of the Cruising Association.

“The Cruising Association has been liaising with UK Border Force for a number of years on this project with a view to ensuring that the new system fits the needs of the cruising community.  Together with the RYA, British Marine and other marine organisations, CA representatives have attended and been active in discussions at the General Maritime Leisure Sector Liaison Meetings in order to influence a positive outcome for cruisers,” he said.

Paper forms still available

From 1 January 2022 it became mandatory for all pleasure craft arriving in and departing from the UK and the Isle of Man (including those arriving in and departing from EU countries) to report in accordance with the requirements published on the Custom rules for sailing your pleasure craft to, from and within UK waters page using the ‘Pleasure Craft Report Template’ e-C1331 email form and C1331 postal form.

The UK Border Force will still accept reporting of a voyage plan by completing either the e-C1331 (now renamed ‘Pleasure craft on non-UK voyages: leaving or arriving in the UK (pleasure craft report (sPCR) fallback template)’) by email, as well as submission by post of the C1331 form, but reporting via the new online service is the preferred option.

More Information and Access

For more information, and to access the online reporting service, the e-C1331 or C1331 reporting forms and links to UK Border Force documentation go to:

UK Government – Border Force Digital Reporting Service

UK Government Guidance:  Sailing Pleasure Craft to and from the UK

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Related Links:

UK Border Force

Cruising Association

RYA

The Yacht Harbour Association