Sailing in Croatia

[chris_hall]

I have recently purchased a SAS Vektor 36 in Croatia, I intend keeping her under the Croatian flag near Dubrovnik. I intend to fit a new DSC radio so obviously need to obtain a MMSI number. The contact details i have has not ellicited a response. Can anyone out there help with contact details to register a DSC radio and obtain a MMSI number ?

 

[RichardS]

As no-one has tried to answer this yet, I thought I'd have a go.

Firstly, I suspect many of us transferred our boats to the UK register like I did and then did everything in the UK. There are many urban myths about the cost-saving "advantages" of keeping a boat on the Croatian register .... but these are myths. The only reason I can think of for keeping a boat on the Croatian register would be to safeguard one's interests once the UK leaves the EU. However, even that is guesswork at this stage and, once again, any advantages may prove to be more urban myths in due course.

Secondly, I suspect that those who have stayed on the Croatian register already had an MMSI number for the DSC radio and therefore did not need to do anything.

From my experience, it is unlikely that you you will be able to obtain an MMSI number over the internet like you can in the UK and, if you can, you will need to speak Croatian because it is extremely unlikely to be in English. I would either speak to your marina staff or pop in to see the local Harbour Master (you will need to do this anyway to pay the Vignette and Sojourn taxes) as he will speak English and will explain what you need to do.

Richard

 

[chris_hall]

Thanks for that Richard
To elaborate, I have a very good local (Croatian) friend who also has power of attorney for the boat and is also a senior Sunsail engineer so the boat is in good hands , plus I have someone that speaks the language on hand (which was extremely useful during the purchase). My understanding is, if the boat comes off the Croatian register, it is a 'visitor' to the country and is liable to a lot more bureaucracy than leaving it on the Croatian flag. Trying to contact the HM is proving difficult also, (it took almost a month for the boat papers to arrive, better get used to it !!!). Unfortunately the boat does not have a DSC VHF or any other piece of equipment which would require a MMSI, it is ex charter and believe it or not, is not even required to carry a liferaft as a charter vessel ?
My contact in Croatia reckons that I will not be liable for the Sojourn tax either.
I reckon this could be a slow progress, I will keep you informed.

Chris

 

[RichardS]

Thanks for that Richard
To elaborate, I have a very good local (Croatian) friend who also has power of attorney for the boat and is also a senior Sunsail engineer so the boat is in good hands , plus I have someone that speaks the language on hand (which was extremely useful during the purchase). My understanding is, if the boat comes off the Croatian register, it is a 'visitor' to the country and is liable to a lot more bureaucracy than leaving it on the Croatian flag. Trying to contact the HM is proving difficult also, (it took almost a month for the boat papers to arrive, better get used to it !!!). Unfortunately the boat does not have a DSC VHF or any other piece of equipment which would require a MMSI, it is ex charter and believe it or not, is not even required to carry a liferaft as a charter vessel ?
My contact in Croatia reckons that I will not be liable for the Sojourn tax either.
I reckon this could be a slow progress, I will keep you informed.

Chris

After 10 years in Croatia I have found no evidence at all that there is any more bureaucracy in being under a Croatian flag or a foreign flag. Whether that will change when we leave the EU is another matter.

This Sojourn tax dispensation is one of the the main myths. In practice I suspect that many boats that do not leave the country and never stay in a marina other than their home marina simply do not pay the Sojourn tax, whatever flag they fly. However, it's a gamble as, in theory, anyone could be stopped by the Police and the fine for not having a current certificate will be swingeing.

Whatever flag you fly, if you want to leave the country and return or check into a marina as a visitor you will need a Sojourn certificate.

Richard

 

[chris_hall]

Hi Richard

Sorry for the late response.

Still no further forward with obtaining an MMSI number, but I will keep trying.

I was toying with the idea of putting the boat under a UK flag, but but it was so much easier to leave it as is. I also have the boat insured with a Croatian company as the only UK company I could find to insure with wanted every little thing identified in the survey report rectifying, down to the inner trim on the port lights and the sail protector on the baby stay, it was unbelievable.
I forgot to mention in earlier posts that the boat is going to be my intended retirement home in the Adriatic and Med and it will never see these dank and wet shores
I have just returned from a fantastic months sailing in the Split - Dubrovnik areas and now looking forward to my next visit

 

[RichardS]

Hi Richard

Sorry for the late response.

Still no further forward with obtaining an MMSI number, but I will keep trying.

I was toying with the idea of putting the boat under a UK flag, but but it was so much easier to leave it as is. I also have the boat insured with a Croatian company as the only UK company I could find to insure with wanted every little thing identified in the survey report rectifying, down to the inner trim on the port lights and the sail protector on the baby stay, it was unbelievable.
I forgot to mention in earlier posts that the boat is going to be my intended retirement home in the Adriatic and Med and it will never see these dank and wet shores
I have just returned from a fantastic months sailing in the Split - Dubrovnik areas and now looking forward to my next visit

It sounds as if you were sailing in June, which was a great month as the summer finally arrived. May was terrible this year, the worst May we can ever remember. We were using our fan heater to keep warm which is unprecedented for us. The Croatians referred to it as their first Spring because they normally just go from Winter to Summer. :ambivalence:

There is so much to see in Croatia than even after 10 years we still keep discovering lovely little islands and bays, although it is getting much busier in July and August these days.

Richard

 

[Baggywrinkle]

After 10 years in Croatia I have found no evidence at all that there is any more bureaucracy in being under a Croatian flag or a foreign flag. Whether that will change when we leave the EU is another matter.

This Sojourn tax dispensation is one of the the main myths. In practice I suspect that many boats that do not leave the country and never stay in a marina other than their home marina simply do not pay the Sojourn tax, whatever flag they fly. However, it's a gamble as, in theory, anyone could be stopped by the Police and the fine for not having a current certificate will be swingeing.

Whatever flag you fly, if you want to leave the country and return or check into a marina as a visitor you will need a Sojourn certificate.

Richard

+1 .. I bought my boat in Croatia and it is UK registered. So far (9 years) absolutely no evidence or any problems with Croatian 'bureaucracy'. Happy Sailing!