Cruising eastern Med Greece/Turkey

Appleyard

Appleyard

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We plan to cruise this area in the spring/autumn.
I have been wondering..If we sail between Greece and Turkey,possibly entering and leaving each country several times,will we have to check in and out each time with the relevant authorities? What is the reality of the situation,I would be interested to hear from those with experience Ta.
 
The reality is not the same as what you are supposed to do on paper. Your biggest issue will be getting the right paper work for Greece. The big, white cruising permit you are supposed to be in possession of should be stamped in and out of each port you visit in Greece, but mostly you can get away with not doing this. Always worth having this on your person just in case, and if you do have to stamp in, then you MUST stamp out. Turkey is easier, you just need your annual permit. And as for sailing between the two countries, just remember to change your courtesy flag.

This is merely what some people do and the views expressed above are not my own /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
<<< The big, white cruising permit you are supposed to be in possession of should be stamped in and out of each port you visit in Greece, >>>

Not the case. The transit log needs to be stamped once per month only. The rules are spelt out very clearly on a large board in Gouvia when you clear in. Most port police are aware of this now, whereas previously many were not.
 
OK, if that's the case then I stand corrected, though I'd like to know how many port police ARE aware of this rule now. Either way, cruising between the two countries is not a problem.
 
[ QUOTE ]
which is cheaper, Efes or Mythos?

[/ QUOTE ]
Dont know about the Efes, but Mythos varies between 1.50 and 2.50 euros, any more , walk away! 90 cents in the supermarkets.
 
Officially the Turkish transit log must be surrendered when leaving Turkish waters. It is not a multiple entry log.
Don’t think that the coastguards are not aware of this. The CC boats and helicopters are very high tec and have every boats transit log details at a touch of a button.
 
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Officially the Turkish transit log must be surrendered when leaving Turkish waters. It is not a multiple entry log.

[/ QUOTE ]

So presumably if you leave Turkey and re-enter some time later,then you need to obtain a new transit log?
 
That is correct
A 15 meter boat will cost in round figs
200 TL (100€) per entry plus £10 per person visa which is multi entry for 90 days (I'm talking uk passports)
 
sorry viv where did you get this info? the transit log is only required by non eec craft . the cruising permit is required by all other craft above ten metres and indeed should be checked in and out of every port, tho this is not neccesarily applied strictly .
 
From the World Cruising and Sailing Wiki - TURKEY SECTION - (Also see the GREECE SECTION for their details)

Arrival/Departure procedures
Ensure that your first landfall in Turkey is made at an official Port of Entry. An official Transit Log (a strict requirement) is issued at the first port of entry and is valid for 1 year.

All vessels arriving must fly the Q flag and complete the formalities at an official port of entry. Formalities must be completed in the following order: Health, Harbourmaster, Passport Police and Customs. Most marinas will undertake the clearing in formalities on your behalf and obtain the yachts Transit Log on your behalf. It is therefore prudent to make a marina your first port of call.

Details required for the yacht's Transit Log are:
Full details of the vessel, skipper, owner (incl. documemtation), detailed crew list, Turkish destinations (and route) and full inventory. Any changes to this information MUST be noted in the Transit Log and authorised by the Harbourmaster of the port in which the change has occured.

Note : The Turkish officials are very strict on illegal chartering - paying crew will be deemed as "charter".

Departure from Turkey MUST be from an official "Port of Entry". The Transit Log must be surrendered as well as full clearance procedures with the Harbourmaster, Police and Customs. Each re-entry of the yacht back to Turkey requires a repitition of the clearing in procedures and a new "Transit Log" as the Transit Log, though valid for 1 year, is for a single entry only.

Note : In most Ports of Entry there are agents, usually operating within a marina, who, for an extra fee, will undertake to do all the clearance legwork for either entering or exiting Turkey. Since often the various offices (Health, Harbourmaster, Passport Police and Custom) are scattered around the town, this extra expense is worth the convenience. You just hand your papers and passports to the agent and after a few hours he brings them back dully stamped. In the meant time you and your crew are free to come and go. --Istioploos 20:32, 21 April 2008 (MDT)

In most ports there is no need to make advance reservations. The exemption to this are some popular marinas, especially during the peak cruising season form June to September. See individual ports for details.

Note : Once clearance into Turkey is obtained, a Transit Log is issued. The authorities request you very rarely to show this Transit Log.

Hope that helps

Bob
 
Just to get the Greek facts straight, non-EU boats get a transit document, which is valid for a limited period and (unsure here) applies to all craft over 7m. EU craft get s different document the 'DEKRA', which is a log of ports visited and proof of who's skippering while travelling Greece (when you leave a port, make sure you get your next stamp within 30 days).

If you bounce back and forth between Turkey and Greece without checking in and out with both customs and port authorities, do not get caught. You will be suspected of people or drug smuggling, which usually means your boat will be dismantled. The fines are also heavy (I have one report of a €1,800 for a 32ft yacht). Not worth it.
 
Crumbs!!

No other EU country I've been to imposes all this guff on EU boats - Portugal, Spain, Italy, Malta. I thought we were free to move where we liked, whenever we liked, and come and go as we please, anywhere in the EU.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Crumbs!!

No other EU country I've been to imposes all this guff on EU boats - Portugal, Spain, Italy, Malta. I thought we were free to move where we liked, whenever we liked, and come and go as we please, anywhere in the EU.

[/ QUOTE ]

The thing is though....Turkey is not in the EU ....yet.Hence the border issue.
 
Errrm. I think Portugal requires regular reports on your movements, and it's worth bearing in mind that UK is considering all sorts of passage reporting ideas as part of it's border control policies . . .

The Greek system is not onerous. Report once a month (or when asked to) to the port authorities. Keep the boat as long as you want in the country. The majority of harbours and quaysides make no charge for mooring. A wide range of layup facilities with trivial costs - if you're happy to be pulled out of the water on a wooden propped sled or old bus chassis . . .
 
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