Greek Marina Scam

[jmallaga]

Has anyone else come across the EU funded Greek marina scam? We have found a number of EU funded marinas in Greece which have been partly completed and although there is no one in charge they have sprouted a self appointed harbour master who takes fees for doing gardienage. Ones we know are Preveza, Trizonia in the Gulf of Corinth and Benitses on Corfu, I’m sure there are others. Benitses is full of totally dead boats with virtually no space for visiting yachts. The local “harbour master” once gave us considerable verbal abuse because we dared to go into “his” marina and take up a lazy line. This local is doing a roaring trade using a marina that I have partially paid for. It may be acceptable to winter boats in public marina but not just have boats dumped sometimes for years with a private individual reaping a small fortune in fees. (I’m sure all taxes are paid!!) In Benitses a large number are British flagged boats are in evidence. I know the issue of dead boats on quays is not uncommon in Greece but it’s getting increasingly difficult to find a space on town quays or marinas due to the selfish actions of a few feckless individuals. In a recent blow many cruising yachts tried to find shelter in Benitses but it was completely full.

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Whats new ?

 

[Tranona]

Welcome to the forum

As Bob says, nothing new.

As part of the proposals to raise funds to reduce debt the govt is trying to sell these part complete marinas to commercial operators.

Lots of luck!

 

[Downsman]

An owner check on many of the 'British flagged boats' would surprise you I think...Half of them probably belong to his mates..

 

[Oliveoyl]

I would add Platarias to that list - we had to take an exposed berth, since "liveabord corner" was full of dead or dying boats

 

[silver-fox]

What is a dead or dying boat?

 

[Chris_Robb]

What is a dead or dying boat?

Similar to a NHS bed blocker........ They are the scourge of Greek Harbours. They should be taken out and sunk before they do sink

 

[B&M]

When I was in Benitses last week several boats had official looking documents attached to them, so someone may return and find their boat missing!

 

[jmallaga]

Dead Boats

Had a walk along the Benitses quay a while ago and counted 35 boats, 5 had people on them. Only two vacant spaces one of which was roped off.

 

[ccscott49]

Had a walk along the Benitses quay a while ago and counted 35 boats, 5 had people on them. Only two vacant spaces one of which was roped off.

Yep, been a problem in Benitses for some time. But most of the boats which are abandonned over the winter are german and dutch, not UK. They normally pay nothing to anybody, never mind paying Kostas. They arrive in the dead of night tie and up then the owners disappear, they never spend anything in the village/town, just "use" the facilities and scarper. Nice folk. But been a problem for ever, just as Bobt says, nowt changes.