Leaving boat in Turkey - In Bond

[Sy-Revolution]

Hi,

We're looking at leaving the boat for a year in Turkey. Due to serious family illness we may not get to do much sailing in the next 12 months.

I've been told that if a boat is left (unlived on) in Turkey then it needs to be placed in bond and that this must be done through an agent.

Does anyone know if this is true and if so what are the costs involved likely to be?

Cheers,

C.

 

[satsuma]

"Foreign yachts may be left in Turkey on the sea or on the land for winter storage, maintenance, or repair purposes for a period of 5 years.

Yachts left at the marina or boat yard and used at least once in two years by their owners may stay in Turkey for up to five years without further permission. The Ministry is authorized to extend such period."

Pulled this off the internet, the passage in bold is from my transit log so is as good as it gets!
There is not a requirement to have the boat in bond, provided you have a transit log.

Like most things in Turkey however, it depends where you are going to leave your boat? and who you speak to about advice. Turkish laws are . . . . . . . . open to interpretation, shall we say!

Once you have decided where in Turkey it will be easier to confirm all your costs.

 

[MASH]

Note the "at the marina". I believe it has to be at a recognised marina or yard as opposed to a mooring or private jetty.

 

[Norman_E]

In Yachtmarine (Marmaris) it is claimed that if you leave the boat for more than 3 months you must hand in the transit log and put the boat in bond. Cost is 25 Euros in and 25 Euros out. I have been told that some marinas don't bother.

 

[satsuma]

Yacht marin, have rules and regulations to follow! and boy do they follow them! It's not the best run place, but it is clean and secure.
I think being in bond is just surrendering your transit log, effectively.
Aegean coast is one option, but south coast has better transport links and I think cheaper! (and less prone to "regulation")

 

[Sy-Revolution]

Thanks for the replies, we were thinking of Alanya marina. I've just had an email from the manager there called Savas saying he knows nothing of such bonds.....

 

[satsuma]

Alanya ıs supposed to be a very nice marina, and newly finished/upgraded. I don't know about transport links there but the bus service is usually good throughout Turkey.
Anywhere along the South Coast is better than the Aegean, I think mostly because they like to encourage foreign vessels rather than see them as a cash cow!

 

[Artic Warrior]

One good reason to put into bond is because if you are still away when your transit log runs out, you will get fined.

 

[MASH]

which is all very well if your marina actually do so, whicht they dont always. Watch this space, One big marina in serious need of being named and shamed, not a score of kM from Marmaris. And not just for trivia like this...
Be very VERY wary of ANYTHING a turkish marina does or says they'll do. If it goes wrong it will always be your fault. That is why you have insurance. Theirs does not feature egardless od responsibility (because that is always yours)

 

[satsuma]

Be very VERY wary of ANYTHING a turkish marina does or says they'll do. If it goes wrong it will always be your fault. That is why you have insurance. Theirs does not feature egardless od responsibility (because that is always yours)

I'm sure that if you go anywhere you will find bad experiences to talk about, however my own experience is different.
As I said in a previous post, Yacht Marin at Marmaris is not the best, not even close. They are also frustrating in their administration and communication, and usually slow to respond (unless there's a payment to be taken!) There are a number on the Aegean coast very similar, some better, some worse. However they are still very good in terms of service (helping in and out) and security.
My boat is in a marina on the south coast of Turkey, and I have to say it is by far and away the best marina I have ever seen or stayed in. The management and staff are nothing if not fast and efficient, by delivering an excellent service all the time. For my meagre 2000 euros a year, I get the very best service, coupled with first class facilities, including a swimming pool with waiter service, restaurant, shop, chandlers and full technical services & support.
The other marinas on this coast have the same reputation, I think mostly because they don't deal with the same high volume of "holiday" trade as the Aegean! The locals here have a choice, they will complain, very loudly if they don't get the service they expect! If that fails they will leave, the marina's reputation will be destroyed and they will loose other custom because of that.

 

[MASH]

Satsuma, which marina is that please?

 

[satsuma]

PM sent

 

[xtiffer]

Or simply post it here. What is the problem?
Cheers,
Chris

 

[Etesian]

I too have a love/hate for Yacht Marine. It is managed very poorly. I have kept my boat there for the past two winters, but probably will not leave it there again. This summer I used the marina for a night and was charged a reasonable fee. Two weeks later I was there for one night again expecting to pay what I paid two weeks earlier and the price doubled. They said they have a new price structure. Other yachters in the office were also experiencing the same thing. So be careful about their pricing.

 

[satsuma]

On the south coast of Turkey there are three main marinas of note!

Kemer Turkiz Marina is the closest to the Aegean. Website:http://www.kemerturkizmarina.com/en/index_marina.html
They are quite cheap but deliver good service and security. approximately 35km from Antalya international Airport with direct flights to the UK all year round! Good expat community and great local cruising grounds!

Antalya Celebi Marina, is 15 Nm east from Kemer and only 10 km from the airport. website:http://www.celebimarina.com
They are the most expensive along this coastline, but I think offer the best in terms of service and quality! approx 5km from the town centre, but plenty of shops before that!
Good criusing ground, either side covered by beaches and some coves!
Often see dolphins and turtles here!

Alanya Marina is some 65Nm further east from Antalya (across the bay).
Website:http://www.alanyamarina.com.tr/eng/index.html
Currently the closest airport is Antalya, which can be reached by bus (bus services are very good in Turkey), although there is (apparently) another airport due to open nearer to Alanya . . . soon!
From reports and their website there are a similar (possibly better) set of facilities to Antalya, and I'm led to believe cheaper too!
Again, large liveaboard community (that can be checked on their website!)
Good cruising grounds with Side to the north and easy access to cyprus!

And I haven't heard a bad thing about any of them! All have full site technical services etc Hope this helps?

 

[pmyatt]

Thanks for the replies, we were thinking of Alanya marina. I've just had an email from the manager there called Savas saying he knows nothing of such bonds.....

We have been in Alanya since Jul 2009 - very happy with it. pm us for further info.

 

[jimbaerselman]

I've been told that if a boat is left (unlived on) in Turkey then it needs to be placed in bond and that this must be done through an agent.
C.

Good advice.

I'm in the process of completely re-building my web site, and one addition will be a new section on rules and regulations. For Turkey, the relevant quote is:

Log Validity. The log will be valid for 365 days, or until the boat leaves the country. It is renewable as long as the yacht stays in Turkey for up to five years, as long as the boat is sailed at least once every two years. Crew may leave the boat laid up, but should ensure the log is renewed before it expires to avoid a fine. Lay-up in bond is possible in licensed marinas for up to two years, with no renewal needed.

So the procedure saves you the worry of renewing the permit each year. Sorry, I haven't yet researched which marinas are licenced. Yes, they'll always pressure you (often heavily) to do it through an agent, since agents know the routine and it saves them a lot of time and explanations. It can be done by individuals . . .

 

[pmyatt]

One good reason to put into bond is because if you are still away when your transit log runs out, you will get fined.

Not true as far as I know - has happened to us and there was no problem.

 

[Squeaky]

Good afternoon

Probably should let pmyatt explain what he meant but what the heck I started so will finish.

I believe you will find that if you put your boat in bond the transit log can run out without any penalty whereas if you simply leave your boat in a marina and the transit runs out during your absence you will pay a penalty when renewing the transit log on your return.

Cheers

Squeaky

 

[satsuma]

Good afternoon

Probably should let pmyatt explain what he meant but what the heck I started so will finish.

I believe you will find that if you put your boat in bond the transit log can run out without any penalty whereas if you simply leave your boat in a marina and the transit runs out during your absence you will pay a penalty when renewing the transit log on your return.

Cheers

Squeaky

It can happen this way, but it does depend entirely on where you are in the country, and more specifically which marina you are in, at the time!
For my part, I haven't heard of a single foreign boat being fined for running out of a transit log! Or even for not keeping the transit log up to date!