Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Audax => PBP => Topic started by: mattc on 29 September, 2019, 08:09:34 pm

Title: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: mattc on 29 September, 2019, 08:09:34 pm
Given that quite a few readers of this board used the Portsmouth -> Caen/Le Havre ferries in August, I thought I'd ask here first!

In the past (up to 2017) I don't recall ANY luggage checks for cyclists on ferries (nor car passengers for that matter). Is this still the case?

(Website says knives are out - I have a pen-knife in my tool kit ... )
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: tatanab on 29 September, 2019, 08:17:35 pm
Out from Portsmouth I was checked in 2016, 2017, 2018 and I saw other cyclists checked too.  They just ask the routine questions and they select one of your bags for scanning.  I had never been checked before those years.  I did not go this year, but I expect it is the same.  Return trip, no checks at all at Caen.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Wobbly on 29 September, 2019, 08:24:38 pm
I never had any security checks and I've used the Portsmouth > Caen ferry three times now.

But then didn't have any knives on me.

Rifles, explosives, nuclear materials on the other hand....

 O:-)
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: FifeingEejit on 29 September, 2019, 08:26:49 pm
I was one of three (I think) riders picked for a "random" security check, it seemed to be based on the answer to the question "You can't easily remove your bag can't you?"
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Kim on 29 September, 2019, 09:16:32 pm
Quote from: mattc on 29 September, 2019, 08:09:34 pm
(Website says knives are out - I have a pen-knife in my tool kit ... )

That sounds suboptimal.  I mean, in touring mode, even without the Mora I'm likely to have a SAK and some mean-looking allen keys.

Do they deprive every caravan of a third of its cutlery?
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Phil W on 29 September, 2019, 09:22:26 pm
In Newhaven she looked in my Stem Cell. I doubt they'll go digging around for knives. You have proper cutlery on a ferry anyway.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: grams on 29 September, 2019, 09:31:38 pm
Security checks at ferry ports seem to be inversely proportional to difficulty in checking. So cars are barely checked at all, cyclists might get a half-hearted look in your pannier bag, but checking in as a foot passenger at Hook of Holland they went through every nook and cranny of my bag. They didn’t even look at my bagged up Brompton.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: JohnL on 29 September, 2019, 09:33:54 pm
I had a bag x-rayed at Portsmouth. I got to choose which one, so chose handlebar as it was easier.

Thinking about it I might have had a Leatherman in there.... had no issues though.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: StuAff on 29 September, 2019, 09:37:51 pm
I've had a pannier given a cursory glance the last time I went over to Caen. That's the only time at that port though…
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Robh on 29 September, 2019, 11:18:27 pm
I’ve done Portsmouth to St Malo twice this year and have been checked each time. I’ve done this route most years for the past 10 years or so and have never been checked before. The second time, this year, they checked all cyclists - there were about 6 or 7 of us. They asked us to just take one bag each off the bikes for passing through the scanner, but I don’t think my Swiss Army knife was in the bag that I chose. I just assumed that they were ramping up the checks on cyclists.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Davef on 30 September, 2019, 09:08:00 am
It does seem to be a bit of a box ticking exercise. I had a small backpack of stuff I wanted during the trip which they scanned on both my trips from Portsmouth. The bags on the bike were ignored. When the metal detector beeped they just asked if I had metal bits on my shoes.


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Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 September, 2019, 03:40:17 pm
If they don't confiscate knives, they can't have the impressive doing our job, keeping you safe show-box.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: quixoticgeek on 30 September, 2019, 03:49:06 pm

Remember in the UK you can legally carry a non locking folding knife as long as the blade is no longer than 75mm. This is why you can take a knife on the eurostar.

I would guess the same is true on the ferries.

J
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Davef on 30 September, 2019, 03:56:59 pm
Quote from: quixoticgeek on 30 September, 2019, 03:49:06 pm

Remember in the UK you can legally carry a non locking folding knife as long as the blade is no longer than 75mm. This is why you can take a knife on the eurostar.

I would guess the same is true on the ferries.

J
Damn, I will have to fit a hinge to my cheese knife.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: postie on 30 September, 2019, 04:25:51 pm
As a regular traveler on portsmouth ferries with groups of cyclists , one or two of the group all ways get a pull.
Quick look in the top of the saddle bag and if your lucky your shoes get a trip through the machine.
Normally ask a few questions.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: JohnL on 30 September, 2019, 04:31:18 pm
Quote from: quixoticgeek on 30 September, 2019, 03:49:06 pm

Remember in the UK you can legally carry a non locking folding knife as long as the blade is no longer than 75mm. This is why you can take a knife on the eurostar.

I would guess the same is true on the ferries.

They could make it a condition of carriage thobut....
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 September, 2019, 04:50:01 pm
And only half the journey (or less on the longer routes) is in the UK.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Wobbly on 30 September, 2019, 04:50:23 pm
I always allow plenty of time when travelling somewhere. Therefore usually when I catch a ferry I've been whiling away the spare hours in a bar somewhere.

After a few pints, on finally boarding the ferry, the "security check" might not go so well...

(click to show/hide)

 ;D
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Phil W on 30 September, 2019, 05:04:09 pm
Quote from: Wobbly on 30 September, 2019, 04:50:23 pm
I always allow plenty of time when travelling somewhere. Therefore usually when I catch a ferry I've been whiling away the spare hours in a bar somewhere.

After a few pints, on finally boarding the ferry, the "security check" might not go so well...

(click to show/hide)

 ;D

You do that with your Pashley, you beast!
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: trekker12 on 30 September, 2019, 05:10:46 pm
Do most people lightweight camping not carry a knife of some sort? We didn't get checked going to Hoek the other year but in my Panniers were three Primus gas canisters, a Leatehrman and a small serrated paring knife (non folding) for vegatabling and bread butchering at the camping table. I'm going hungry without those and the paring knife is likely to be swapped for a quality folding camping knife to avoid having to wrap it in a tea towel to avoid the pointy end slicing something (it's old and not very sharp though)

As Kim says do the caravans not all have their knives removed?
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: FifeingEejit on 30 September, 2019, 07:59:39 pm
The rulz aren't quite "nae knifes"
https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: JohnL on 30 September, 2019, 08:25:09 pm
Quote from: FifeingEejit on 30 September, 2019, 07:59:39 pm
The rulz aren't quite "nae knifes"
https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives
But the ferry company can make their own rulz as a condition of carriage (not that I think they have).

Edited: they have.... see next post
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: JohnL on 30 September, 2019, 08:29:39 pm
Brittany Ferries rule:
“.... knives (including chef's knives, multi-tools), swords etc. must also be declared prior to departure...”

From: https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/faqs/travel-information/transporting-dangerous-goods-and-flammable-liquids

Yeah, that link actually says no knives of any kind on bikes... I deffo had a leatherman on mine. Hmmm.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Kim on 30 September, 2019, 08:51:41 pm
That would appear to ban meths, too.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Tim Hall on 30 September, 2019, 10:07:00 pm
I cunningly avoided the security bods at Brussels Eurostar nicking my Opinel No. 7 by distracting them with some CO2 cartridges, which they pounced upon with glee.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: mattc on 30 September, 2019, 10:27:24 pm
Quote from: Kim on 30 September, 2019, 08:51:41 pm
That would appear to ban meths, too.
It's a disgusting habit anyway  :hand:
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Davef on 01 October, 2019, 07:32:41 am
.... and for a flight back from Asia in the late 80s I was told I could not check in a 3 foot long sword as it might get damaged in the hold and would have to take it as hand luggage. Different times.


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Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: pcolbeck on 01 October, 2019, 07:45:39 am
Hull-Zeebrugge this August we got pulled for checking (in the car). I had swiss army knife in my cabin bag and a couple of pen knives in the door pockets of the car. They took them out gave them a cursory glance and dropped them back in with no comment.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 October, 2019, 09:24:59 am
Quote from: Kim on 30 September, 2019, 08:51:41 pm
That would appear to ban meths, too.
Probably banned on trains too. I know gas canisters are. Not that anyone's checking as yet (apart from Eurostar of course). Presumably buses and coaches too, come to that.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Phil W on 01 October, 2019, 10:56:25 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 October, 2019, 09:24:59 am
Quote from: Kim on 30 September, 2019, 08:51:41 pm
That would appear to ban meths, too.
Probably banned on trains too. I know gas canisters are. Not that anyone's checking as yet (apart from Eurostar of course). Presumably buses and coaches too, come to that.

Only large gas canisters as in LPG size canisters. Normal sized gas cylinders for cooking when camping are not banned. At least they weren't a year ago, unless something changed in the last year.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 October, 2019, 11:04:32 am
On trains, buses or ferries?
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Phil W on 01 October, 2019, 11:05:07 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 October, 2019, 11:04:32 am
On trains, buses or ferries?

On Eurotunnel
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 October, 2019, 11:08:01 am
Okay. I've been told by people who probably know, but I haven't checked it, that all bottled gas is banned on trains in UK.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Kim on 01 October, 2019, 11:47:12 am
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 October, 2019, 11:08:01 am
Okay. I've been told by people who probably know, but I haven't checked it, that all bottled gas is banned on trains in UK.

The main difference between one of those cheap catering stove butane cartridges and a can of hair-spray being that the pure butane is much less of an irritant...
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 October, 2019, 11:50:42 am
I should think the hair spray is in breach of regulations too. In fact, there's probably rather a lot of things on trains every day that do.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Kim on 01 October, 2019, 12:00:15 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 October, 2019, 11:50:42 am
I should think the hair spray is in breach of regulations too. In fact, there's probably rather a lot of things on trains every day that do.

Can we start with the scary drunk people, and leave the camping gas alone?
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: kegere on 01 October, 2019, 01:33:40 pm
Quote from: FifeingEejit on 29 September, 2019, 08:26:49 pm
I was one of three (I think) riders picked for a "random" security check, it seemed to be based on the answer to the question "You can't easily remove your bag can't you?"

Yes it was three of you, I was rider four and was told to ride straight round the outside of the canopy  ;D
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: quixoticgeek on 01 October, 2019, 01:36:29 pm

Re what you can take on trains,

if you actually read the national rail conditions of carriage on what can and can't be taken on a train, you'd find many a passenger shouldn't be travelling with what they are.

When I was more actively into archery, I found it amusing that the TFL limits were less strict than the national rail one, so you can take a bow that is upto 2m long on the underground, but you'll have to chop it down to 1.83m when you get on the train...

Not that anyone cares. I travelled with 7ft spears and shields and all sorts and noone cared. ditto 2.26m long ikea stuff...

J
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 01 October, 2019, 01:37:17 pm
Quote from: Kim on 01 October, 2019, 12:00:15 pm
Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 01 October, 2019, 11:50:42 am
I should think the hair spray is in breach of regulations too. In fact, there's probably rather a lot of things on trains every day that do.

Can we start with the scary drunk people, and leave the camping gas alone?
I'm sure there's a regulation about not being drunk on a train. And even if there isn't, it's illegal under $12 of the Licencing Act 1874 or something like that. Between laws and their application...
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Ajax Bay on 01 October, 2019, 03:37:55 pm
Quote from: kegere on 01 October, 2019, 01:33:40 pm
Quote from: FifeingEejit on 29 September, 2019, 08:26:49 pm
I was one of three (I think) riders picked for a "random" security check, it seemed to be based on the answer to the question "You can't easily remove your bag can't you?"
Yes it was three of you, I was rider four and was told to ride straight round the outside of the canopy D
Similar experience at Poole (17 Aug) (but not Cherbourg) and Newhaven (2 Sep) (but not Dieppe). Lesson identified is that if there are other punters (riders) around, dally to let them get ahead and be 'picked'. By the time you get to triage, they'll have checked their 'quota' for that sailing; and wave you through.
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: Bunker22 on 01 October, 2019, 05:11:45 pm
Quote from: postie on 30 September, 2019, 04:25:51 pm
As a regular traveler on portsmouth ferries with groups of cyclists , one or two of the group all ways get a pull.
Quick look in the top of the saddle bag and if your lucky your shoes get a trip through the machine.
Normally ask a few questions.

I think they go on how dodgy you look. Hence those from Pompey got a pull whilst those from Midhurst got waved through. Southampton got a full body cavity search.  ;D
Title: Re: Portsmouth ferry security checks?
Post by: FifeingEejit on 01 October, 2019, 05:30:07 pm
Quote from: kegere on 01 October, 2019, 01:33:40 pm
Quote from: FifeingEejit on 29 September, 2019, 08:26:49 pm
I was one of three (I think) riders picked for a "random" security check, it seemed to be based on the answer to the question "You can't easily remove your bag can't you?"

Yes it was three of you, I was rider four and was told to ride straight round the outside of the canopy  ;D

Annoying thing was I'd dropped back a bit after faffing past passport control and pushed on to the front of the group on the way towards security.
Trying to remember who the 3rd rider was.
A Scot and an American made up the first 2... dodgy as eh!