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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 :

For escorted crossings please contact the office direct and give 
them the information about your attempt so that you can have advise 
reference your crossing method. 
CS&PF OFFICE
They can then give you the registered CS&PF pilot details so that you can 
make contact and get a  quote for the escort service you require.

For English Channel Swims during the 20109 season the approximate fees are
£2250 for a 1-way crossing. (£1000 deposit + £1250 Balance before swim)
£4350.00 for a 2-way crossing. (£1350 deposit + £3000 Balance before swim)

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

There is a non returnable deposit of £1000.00 to be paid to your pilot on your 
conformation of booking. 
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 (3% transaction fee is 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 
(a)  This is the admin fee - this is £100 per swim at the moment and 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). At the moment it is £100 for 
       1-way crossing.
(c)   Membership fees. Membership fees are biennial and split into various 
       groups. 

For 2009 the CS&PF solo swim fees are about £215 for a 1-way crossing.
(including one full biennial membership) 
The CS&PF relay swims fees are about £265 for a 1-way crossing.
(includes 1 full biennial member and 5 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.
       
Enquiries should be made direct to the pilot or the vessels owner. 
A list of contact information is 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.


Swim places are quickly reserved and get booked 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. A written contract signed and returned to your pilot is a binding 
agreement and 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 advance payment - (£250 or more) to reserve the place. 
This is to confirm commitment and is treated as part of your deposit. 
In the past years swimmers have been reserving places and then not 
paying the deposit or completing the booking when required.

Registered Pilot Boats