Greece - Harbour Fees

[marina95]

I've just received the following from the company that provide the mooring and guardianage for our 8.84m GK29 in Greece.

We've (cough) never had to pay these harbour fees before and I wondered as the legislation seems to date from 2006 whether these have in reality come into force? I think I read somewhere that these had been proposed in the Greek legislature but had not been passed. Also, I thought that the fees related to the length of the boat and (he said hopefully) that there were significant discounts for boats under 10m in length...

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The fees regulation

State Law gazette 330/2006 and Regulation No: 8122.1/14/06 from 02.03.06
Summary for private used yachts with cabin, independent of flag and length:

First option:
1. Fees for the long term stay in the harbour xxxxxx. (anchor/mooring, town quay)
The fees for the long term stay have to be paid once a year in advance till latest 1st March of the current year. Fee: € 250.- net

Regarding the fees for Anchor/Mooring or Quay
In the xxxxxxxx harbour, there will be a discount of 40% if the payment is done in advance till 1st of March.

This means for all boats of our customers as example:
(yearly fee € 250.-) - (40% discount) + (23% VAT) = € 184,50 (valid for the port of Porto Heli)

Second option:
2. Fees for short term stay, or payment after the 1st March.

(amount of day's) x (€ 0,30.-) x (length of boat) + (23%) VAT

For payment in advance there are discounts offered:
20% for 1 month
30% for 6 months

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[vyv_cox]

I take it this is Porto Heli? They have introduced fees for anchoring and mooring, which apparently they are entitled to do according to the legislation you quote. This has not been applied previously but there have been reports of a few cases recently.

 

[Mr Cassandra]

I've just received the following from the company that provide the mooring and guardianage for our 8.84m GK29 in Greece.

We've (cough) never had to pay these harbour fees before and I wondered as the legislation seems to date from 2006 whether these have in reality come into force? I think I read somewhere that these had been proposed in the Greek legislature but had not been passed. Also, I thought that the fees related to the length of the boat and (he said hopefully) that there were significant discounts for boats under 10m in length...

------------

The fees regulation

State Law gazette 330/2006 and Regulation No: 8122.1/14/06 from 02.03.06
Summary for private used yachts with cabin, independent of flag and length:

First option:
1. Fees for the long term stay in the harbour xxxxxx. (anchor/mooring, town quay)
The fees for the long term stay have to be paid once a year in advance till latest 1st March of the current year. Fee: € 250.- net

Regarding the fees for Anchor/Mooring or Quay
In the xxxxxxxx harbour, there will be a discount of 40% if the payment is done in advance till 1st of March.

This means for all boats of our customers as example:
(yearly fee € 250.-) - (40% discount) + (23% VAT) = € 184,50 (valid for the port of Porto Heli)

Second option:
2. Fees for short term stay, or payment after the 1st March.

(amount of day's) x (€ 0,30.-) x (length of boat) + (23%) VAT

For payment in advance there are discounts offered:
20% for 1 month
30% for 6 months

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From the notorious Port captain of the Ermioni province I suppose?

 

[jimbaerselman]

The fees have been in force for a long time, but only apply to yachts berthed in Greece for the year. They have not been publicised much, except by a few marinas which have paid on behalf of customers taking out a year's contract. The assumption by port police is that foreign flags are "in transit", rather than having long term berths in Greece.

Pre-paying is a snip - it saves the daily berthing charge (but not the port entry fee!). Carry the pre-payment proof with your documents, and then, like most Greek vessels, you're charged less in ports. See http://www.jimbsail.info/drupal/going-foreign/countries/greece

Having said that, you'll always run into the occasional port police who don't know the rules and believe that only Greek boats can pre-pay.

 

[grumpygit]

Second option:
2. Fees for short term stay, or payment after the 1st March.

(amount of day's) x (€ 0,30.-) x (length of boat) + (23%) VAT

For payment in advance there are discounts offered:
20% for 1 month
30% for 6 months

------------

This option has been used in Aigina port for the last four years that I know of.

___________________________________________________________________

 

[marina95]

I take it this is Porto Heli? They have introduced fees for anchoring and mooring, which apparently they are entitled to do according to the legislation you quote. This has not been applied previously but there have been reports of a few cases recently.

Yes Vyv, it's Porto Heli. Ah well, guess it's time to cough up, the yard haven't given us much notice of this as it has to be paid before 1st March or no discount!

 

[vyv_cox]

Yes Vyv, it's Porto Heli. Ah well, guess it's time to cough up, the yard haven't given us much notice of this as it has to be paid before 1st March or no discount!

As ex-GK29 owners ourselves we have been surprised and pleased to see your boat on the moorings there. An excellent cruising boat in which we travelled far and wide when we owned ours.

 

[marina95]

As ex-GK29 owners ourselves we have been surprised and pleased to see your boat on the moorings there. An excellent cruising boat in which we travelled far and wide when we owned ours.

Vyv, she is a super little boat (and surprisingly spacious inside). Hope that if you see one of us (there are three friends in our consortium) that you'll come and say hello.

 

[PLEIAS]

For the last time (hopefully) please note: These fees are communal port fund fees in every port in Greece.Now some port funds are collecting it and some don't.Port Police stations are collecting it because they have to and many stations have even enquired to the ministry about this duty as they wish to avoid it.They don't collect any comission on their behalf they just take the heat.Why is it being enforced in some places while in others not do not ask as there is no answer to that...Just pay it so that you don't face any enormous bills as in some of the cases i've heard.Also it keeps them off of your back.It doesn't cover any other ports except the one you payed,after all it is your duty to pay in every port for your stay regardless that many choose to ignore it because no one asked them to.And mainly because it makes me feel less of a sucker for paying it every year...

 

[vyv_cox]

Pleias: I think most of us who sail in Greece are aware of the standard port fees. The reported difference in Porto Heli is that fees are being requested/demanded from boats on moorings and at anchor. I am unaware of this anywhere else, although I have little knowledge about moorings.

 

[jimbaerselman]

For the last time (hopefully) please note: These fees are communal port fund fees in every port in Greece.Now some port funds are collecting it and some don't.Port Police stations are collecting it because they have to and many stations have even enquired to the ministry about this duty as they wish to avoid it.They don't collect any comission on their behalf they just take the heat.Why is it being enforced in some places while in others not do not ask as there is no answer to that...Just pay it so that you don't face any enormous bills as in some of the cases i've heard.Also it keeps them off of your back.It doesn't cover any other ports except the one you payed,after all it is your duty to pay in every port for your stay regardless that many choose to ignore it because no one asked them to.And mainly because it makes me feel less of a sucker for paying it every year...

Thanks for that.

OK, just so I get this clearly. I was told that once this was paid, it applied to all ports. Now, this info was given to me by someone based in the Inland Ionian. They may have meant that it applied to all ports within their area (since that's the only place so many Inland Ionian people cruise!). And most charter boats there just pay once a season for berthing, and (with some exceptions) that's the lot.

So you're saying this is an option for paying one fee for one harbour, which then means you pay no more berthing fees in that harbour for the next year?

And by the way, many thanks for your posts keeping us all up to date on what's going on in Greece. Have you heard any more about the draft legislation which was being discussed last July?

 

[PLEIAS]

Sorry for not answering earlier but lately things are crazy with all the changes and really this is the busiest time start...Anyway, one of the things that the first Memorandum changed in Greece was the structure of the communities and perfectures thus creating Municipalities that are covering larger areas.As the port funds are municipal that means they now cover more ports than before the change.So for example ours cover now Koilada - P.Heli and Ermioni.The 2006 law doesn't define what happens in such cases as they didn't exist bach then.What i've seen is a tolerance for boats that have payed their fees in the area also for ports that don't belong in the same communal fund.So in Plaka they didn't collect while in Poros they charged me.I think that's acceptable as it is in Marinas- you pay for your stay there and not for the whole country.Now regarding anchorage fees ,yes the law is clear, you pay as well ,as it covers the whole harbour area.Personally i find it easier as i can come and go as i please without bothering to check with the authorities.Yes it is a duty for the skipper to visit the PP before leaving every port to check for charges(even for boats without DEKPA).Many choose not to but that is up to them.There is talk about changing many things in the law and also lower the charges and taxation.There was also a petition from marina operators that i saw in the press last week stating all these problems.The way things are going i expect to see changes also for us boaters and i believe for Non Greek flagged boats will be better -For mine (Greek) it will be worse but i'll keep it as for me it is a matter of pride.The flag represents the people not the politicians and my people (family) have payed dearly also in blood and lives for the right to bear proudly these colours and no filanderer politician can take that away.

 

[jimbaerselman]

Hi Pleias,

Many thanks for that. So the municipality fee is additional to the 24 hour anchoring fee, and the anchoring fee (largely) relies on skippers going to the port police to pay their dues. Us foreigners never stop learning . . . the difficulty is that port police in Greece don't have a simple English language guide as to what is required! (maybe because a simple Greek language guide doesn't exist?)

 

[PLEIAS]

Indeed, there is the arrival charge plus the time period of anchoring days.But as you very well put it there has been no incident of the PP controlling who came when and anchored and how long.So anyone that sails in the bay can actually get away with it if he stays for a couple of days.Unless if on his DEKPA is written that he was destined for P.Heli.That can get you in trouble as you're supposed to check in with the PP.The qoestion that arises is what if:You change your destination to another port-Then you get a stamp from the nearest PP station.-You decide to stay in a bay outside the harbour limits-Never the less you check in with the PP and get a new stamp stating so.How often that happens??Regardless,it can lead you in a tight spot so even if you decide to be 100% legit and they try to waive you away get it in written.Most of the problems in P.heli arose because people, either deliberatly or because of boredom, failed to even pay for their staying on the dock as they thought that nobody asked or checked.These things are always backfiring in the long run, so don't neglect your duties gentlemen.Better be safe than sorry.

 

[PLEIAS]

The above answers did not include the 250 euros per annum that was the subject of the thread.The law states clearly that if you pay that, by March 1st then you come and go as you like.Actually it is in favour of bigger boats or for boats that stay afloat for a long time.Otherwise, if for example you have a certain time table,you can take advantage of the rest of the deductions and prepay for that time period only, but then you fall in the price list, that's written on the 1st page of the thread plus one day, as you very well stated. It's complicated i know, but that's it and it's safer moneywise, for boats on moorings as there is even a possibility that you avoid the DEKPA stamping, every month, as it is considered to be your ''Home port''. Regretably, i can't get a clear answer on the latter issue (homeport - DEKPA).