Greeks Confiscate USA yacht for “cruising tax”

Created by doina. Last modified on 2006-05-28 21:18:27
Topic: European Union
Countries: Greece

The American sailing vessel LIMERENCE, on 24 May 2006, was detained upon checking into the Port of Patras for violating the Greek law punishing non-EU yachts that cruise Greek waters for over ninety days.

After being in “bond” and on the hard at Gouvia Marina in Corfu for the winter, Limerence was processed by Customs and the Greek Coast Guard and authorized to depart. Within nine days, Limerence entered the Port of Patras and it was determined that the yacht was in violation of the Greek Cruising Law for non-EU yachts, and owed a cruising tax. The yacht was detained in port for 72 hours while the Greek government tried to determine the precise amount of the tax. The tax of $594E was paid under protest because this tax is in violation of EU and International Law.

A formal protest was immediately sent to the Minister of Merchant Marine, and the American Embassy in Athens. The case is pending.