Question Concerning Owning A Turkish-Registered Yacht

Created by doina. Last modified on 2003-12-15 11:54:59
Countries: Turkey

QUESTION: I live in Bodrum and have a resident visa. I purchased a 16 mtr Turkish Gulet 4 months ago, it is still regestered in Bodrum and flying the Turkish flag for private use. Can I sail this boat myself or must I have a Turkish Captain? I am also having problems with getting a mooring contract in the local harbour, because I am a foreign owner, even though the boat is regestered in Bodrum, flying the Turkish flag and I live in Bodrum.

ANSWER: Turkish registered ships have to be crewed by certified personel. This is also true for pleasure craft, although the requirements to receive the so called "Amator Denizciler icin Yeterlilik Belgesi" are rather simple. This ADYB entitles to sail turkish flagged pleasure craft, I believe, under 50 tons.

Changing the yacht's flag is possible and may be the right way in this particular case as Turkish flagged craft are also subject to annual surveys etc. Something similar to the "Flag certificate" or the British "Small Boat Registration Certificate" would be readily honoured. However, in case of an accident some formal certification concerning the boat and the crew will be researched into.

As regards Bodrum harbour, the harbour is divided into a commercial area and the Marina. The commercial area is co-managed by the municipality and is practically reserved for yachts involved in charter business. Some (really) local pleasure boats may stay in this area as well - based on good relations over generations. All other boats will find it difficult to stay here over extended periods. Having a Turkish flag, being resident etc. will not automatically entitle for a mooring. You may also not want to stay here when THREE rows of 100 footers are fighting for space in the really cramped seasons and I personally would never want to leave my boat uncrewed among these heavyweighters. For example Torba, a fishing harbour 8 km away from Bodrum harbour may provide an economic alternative. Also, due to the upcome of thousands of new moorings it is advisable to negotiate with the new marinas.

Yusuf Civelekoglu

yachtWORKS, Cumhuriyet Bulvari 29a, 48960, Turgutreis/Bodrum, Turkey

Tel +90 (252) 382 4445, Fax +90 (252) 382 7074

E-mail: yusuf@yachtworks.info, Web: