Regulations of Yachts in Turkish Waters

ENTRY:Yachts entering or leaving Turkey shall make their entry or departure at frontier ports. Ports of entry along the Turkish coast are listed below: Trabzon, Giresun, Ordu, Samsun, Hopa, Rize, Sinop, Zonguldak,Tekirdag, Istanbul, Canakkale, Bandirma, Akcay, Ayvalik, Dikili, Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi, Didim (Soke), Gulluk, Bodrum, Datca, Marmaris, Fethiye, Kas, Finike, Kemer, Antalya, Alanya, Anamur, Tasucu, Mersin, Iskenderun. Formalities concerning the documentation of the yachts departing from the last port of call or entering port or mooring-place for winter lay-up shall be carried out at the port of departure or winter mooring place. Upon entry into Turkish Territorial Waters, the foreign yacht will be recorded in the yacht owners' or captains' passport by the customs authorities. This record should be cancelled by the customs authorities upon departure for foreign ports or when leaving the yachts for winter lay-up in Marinas.

IMPORTING YACHT PARTS
Foreign yacht-owners can import duty-free spare parts and equipment for use on their yachts under customs authority control. These spare parts and equipment will be recorded in the inventory of the yacht. For detailed information please contact the marina management.

ARTICLE 40. CRUISING
1. Both Turkish and foreign yachts are required to have authorization on their "Transit Log" only from the harbor-master while sailing between Turkish ports.
2. If leaving for or returning from foreign ports, Turkish and foreign yachts are required to complete the full clearance procedure with the customs, health and passport police authorities.
3. Yacht owners or captains must surrender their transit to the harbor-master when the cruise is completed.

ARTICLE 46. LEAVING YACHTS IN TURKISH MARINAS
1. Foreigners may leave their yachts in Turkey at a licensed yacht harbor or yacht docking area for the purpose of storage, maintenance or repair, for a period of 2 years, and may leave the the country using any form of transportation they choose.
2. In such cases, arrangements should be made to take the documentation supplied by the yacht harbor (i.e. contract copy and letter of authorization), to the relevant regional customs office.
3. Yacht owners may leave their yachts for longer periods, up to 5 years, provided that the yacht sails from the harbor at least once every 2 years. (It is not necessary to leave Turkish waters).
4. At the end of 5 years, the Ministry of Tourism has the right to extend the permitted duration of stay.

ARTICLE 47. USE OF FOREIGN YACHTS IN TURKISH WATERS
1. Foreign-owned private yachts are permitted to sail in Turkish waters and into Turkish harbors from a foreign port, provided that the owner is on board.
2 Yachts owned jointly or owned by yacht clubs or associations can be sailed by any one of four nominated joint-owners.
3. Turkish or foreign private yacht owners may have foreign or Turkish guests on board for the purpose of travel, sport and leisure as long as there is no commmercial undertaking.

TRANSIT LOG - YACHT REGISTRATION FORM
The Transit Log is a permit to sail in Turkish water and to enter Turkish ports. Formalities are completed on this form at the first port of entry. Validity : 3 months Cost : 25 US$ for foreign yachts The Transit Log will be cancelled under the following circum-stances:
1. After 3 months
2. Departure for foreign ports
3. For charter yachts, at the end of the cruise
4. Replacement of the person who has completed the Transit Log
5. When new crew join the yacht
6. When the yacht owner or captain leave the yacht in a marina for laying up. Under any of these circumstances, a new Transit Log will be required.

NEW REGULATIONS FOR TAX-FREE DIESEL FUEL FOR FOREIGN YACHTS
Foreign-registered yachts may obtain tax-free diesel fuel subject to the conditions set out below:
1. Tax-free fuel will be available for use only in foreign yachts and will be obtainable only from marinas and shipyards licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism.
2. The owner of the yachts may be Turkish or foreign but must be a person having a permanent place of residence outside of Turkey.
3. The yacht may be brought to Turkey with the owner or may be brought two months earlier or later than the owner's arrival in Turkey.
4. The yacht may receive tax-free fuel only in the presence of the owner.

USE OF VEHICLES BY FOREIGN YACHTSMEN
1. Foreign yachtsmen are allowed to use their foreign-registered vehicles in Turkey for 6 months in any one year. At the end of 6 months their vehicles must be taken out of the country.
2. If the yacht owner or captain takes over the yacht, their vehicles must be put into the marina customs bond under the responsibility of the marina.
3. The vehicles may be left in bond for up to 4 months. Before expiry, an application may be made to the chief customs authori-ties of the district for an extension of this period for a further 2 months.
4. Regulation No. 120 dated July 12,1985 states that foreign yacht owners cannot keep their yachts and their vehicles on their passports at the same time. It is advisable that on entering Turkey the yacht owner's wife or friends have the vehicle recorded in their passport.

STAYING IN TURKEY FOR FOREIGN YACHTSMEN
Regulations for foreign yachtsmen wishing to stay in Turkey differ depending upon the nationality involved.

Nationals of the following countries can enter Turkey with a valid passport; a visa is not required:
A. Up to three months: Germany, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, United Arab Emirates, Denmark, Morocco, Fiji, Finland, France, Granada, South Korea, Holland, Iran, Switzerland, Iceland, Jamaica, Japan, Canada, Qatar, Kenya, Kuwait, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Norway, Oman, St. Lucia, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Chile, Trinidad, Tobago, Tunisia, Vatican City, New Zealand, Greece, Ecuador, Sweden
B. Up to two months: Republic of Croatia, Republic of Slovenia, Yugoslavia, Romania, Moldova C. Up to one month: Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Kazakhistan, Kyrgyzistan, Turkmenistan, Republic of South Africa For the countries mentioned in above clauses, and Bulgaria, a transit visa is not required. Nationals of the following countries require a visa: A. Up to three months: Nationals of Austria, United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Israel, Portugal can obtain a sticker visa at border gates. B. Up to one month: Nationals of the Commonwealth of Independent States (except Azerbaijan, Kazakhistan, Kyrgyzistan and Turkmenistan), Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia can obtain a sticker visa at border gates.
C. Miscellaneous: A visa is required of nationals from the United States of America. This visa can be obtained in advance from Turkish Consulate General offices ar at the port of entry into Turkey for a $45 US fee.Nationals of Guatemala can obtain a visa for up to 15 days at border gates. Nationals of Jordan, at most for 30 days. Nationals of Indonesia can enter the country for two months by obtaining a visa at no charge at the border gates.
D. Other Nationals of all other countries require a visa, which can be obtained from the nearest Turkish embassy or consulate.

Yachtsmen who wish to stay in Turkey for more than 3 months, should apply for renewal of their visa to the district center office before the expiry date of their visa. If a renewal is required for longer than 3 months, the district center office will have to obtain confirmation from Ankara before it can be issued. (There may be a delay of up to 2 months to receive this renewal). If yachtsmen leave Turkey for a foreign port and later return, a 3-month visa will automatically be issued.

UNDERWATER DIVING
Diving for purposes of sport, with proper equipment and in non-restricted areas, is permitted. Foreign divers should have official documentation of their qualifications, training and must be accompanied, when diving, by a licensed Turkish guide. The limit for diving with diving gear is 30 meters. For educational purposes, this limit is extended to 42 meters. Dives exceeding 30 meters must be done with proper diving and medical equipment. In order to protect Turkish archaeological and cultural treasures, it is strictly forbidden to transport Turkish antiquities or natural specimens. Although this information is believed to be correct at the time of writing, the marina does not accept any liability for errors, omissions, or changes made by the authorities without prior notification.

Please contact us for new regulations.