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CS&PF ESCORT BOATS, PILOTS & FEES  


click here for link to - Pilot information  - MCA Unorthodox Crossing info  
The CS&PF pilots escort fees are :

Enquiries should be made direct to the pilot or the vessels owner. 
A list of contact information is above & below, on the web page "escort boats" 
and in the "Standard letter".

The CS&PF office does not always have the latest booking information on file.

For escorted crossings please contact the office or pilot direct and give 
them the information about your attempt so that you can have advise 
reference your crossing method. 
CS&PF OFFICE
Please advise the office of your registered CS&PF pilot's details so that you  
can be added to their swim or crossing lists.

For English Channel Swims during the 2010 season the approximate fees are

£2300 for a 1-way crossing. (£1000 deposit + £1300 Balance before swim)
£4400 for a 2-way crossing. (£2000 deposit + £4400 Balance before swim)

Please confirm the exact fees and pilots contract content before you commit to 
any booking as the contracts are legally binding documents.

Multiple swim crossings of more than 2-way are by quotation from the pilot.

There is usually a booking fee (around £250) to reserve a pilots place which is 
part of the non returnable deposit of around £1000.00 to be paid to your pilot on 
your conformation of booking. This can vary from pilot to pilot.

All CS&PF pilots have a written contract giving their conditions. 
Talk to your selected pilot and agree the terms and conditions BEFORE you sign
the pilots contract. It is a legally binding agreement with no refunds.
The pilots swim fee balance can be paid at any time but it must be settled 
in full before the start of the swim. All fees are paid in £ sterling. 
(See the 'Standard Information Letter' for more information- )

Standard information letter -- click here for link

Payments to the pilots can be - cash -  bank transfers - Sterling cheque's - 
International money orders. 
Some pilots accept Visa or Mastercard cards - but -
(A 3% transaction fee is often added)
Arrangements to pay the balance by a means other than cash must be 
agreed before the swim date and enough time allowed (ask your pilot for his
requirement) for bank clearance & conformation. 

As well as booking and paying for your pilot you will need to register and 
pay the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation fees. (CS&PF)
These fees are made up in 3 parts - (see "Rules" for any updates)

(a)  This is the admin fee - this is £120 per solo swim and £150 for a relay 
swim for 2011 season.
This is a non-returnable fee to cover office and registration work. 

(b)  Swim fee. This fee depends on the number of crossings and type of 
       swim to be attempted (relay or solo). 
For 2011 it is £120 for 1-way crossing.

(c)   Membership fees. Membership fees are biennial and split into various 
       groups. 

For 2011 the CS&PF solo swim fees are about £260 for a 1-way crossing.
(including the swimmers £20 full biennial membership) 

The CS&PF relay swims fees are about £365 for a 1-way crossing.
(includes 1x £20 full biennial member and 5 x £15 associate members) 
See the "Rules" (pages 4 and 5 for CS&PF swim fees) and for a fuller 
explanation.
       
Pilot /escort fees and CS&PF registration fees for other types of permitted 
crossing such as rows are by quotation.
       

Swim places are quickly reserved and get booked many seasons in advance. 
You should book your pilot as soon as you know and are sure you  want to 
swim. 
BUT - Make sure you are ready to commit yourself to the pilots agreement

Swimmers book 2/3 years plus ahead to get the pilot they want on the 
tide they want and with the right swim position.
Each pilot boat usually books 4 swim places per set of tides. 
These places are the order in which you are offered a chance to swim - 
starting from number 1 on the tide, this is the first option to swim. 
Should it be turn it down for any reason the next person (number 2 position) 
will be offered the chance to swim --- and so on. 

The pilot booking is a private arrangement between the swimmer and the 
owner/pilot over which the CS&PF have no control. 
       
Bookings will be confirmed by the pilot you are going with and all deposits 
are paid direct to the pilot or managing agent under their instructions.

The swim agreement/contract is always made between the swimmer and 
the pilot. There is no CS&PF involvement in this transaction . 

A written contract signed and returned to your pilot is usually required and a 
legally binding agreement. It is the best way to confirm your tide, position 
and what you have committed yourself to. 

Please read the contract carefully BEFORE entering into it and understand 
fully the implications and commitment before signing it and returning it 
with your deposit.

Reservations made for swims more than a season ahead will often require 
a non returnable booking payment - (£250 or more) to reserve the place. 
This is to confirm commitment and is treated as part of your non returnable 
deposit. 
In the past years swimmers have been reserving places and then not 
paying the deposit or completing the booking when further commitment and 
payments have been due. This has caused late cancellation problems for the
pilots. 
If circumstances change and you are not able to continue with your swim 
commitments please advise your pilot and the CS&PF office as soon as 
possible.

Registered Pilot Boats