Sailing to Lebanon: Seeking Advice

Created by doina. Last modified on 2008-11-11 19:43:23
Countries: Lebanon

Posted February 2008
Can anyone offer any help / hints / tips / advice please?

Myself and 9 others are looking to bareboat charter in the far east Med in order to visit Beirut. So far we have been unable to find any charter company who would consider such a trip, despite the political situation in Lebanon being in no way as bad as it was. We have been told that insurance would be a problem, as well as there being a problem with charter yachts being stolen.

Has anyone out there ever undertaken a similar trip and if so, would they be able to offer any advice regarding any possible charter companies, or even provide a contact from a Beirut marina? I have tried contacting several people using the latest Noonsite info, but have not received any responses to date.

Thanks in anticipation.

Gareth

info@noonsite.com

In answer to Gareth's query about visiting Lebanon.

I have lived in Beirut for 18 months now, I moved here with the intention of sailing here. It is indeed sail friendly in many ways, great weather, mostly gentle and predictable winds, some decent ports and it is cheap. You also have Cyprus only 100 miles away, and not that much shipping to worry about.

However, the Lebanese are 99% motorized and motor cruisers are the order of the day. The rental agencies pretty much only hire these and so sailing hire would have to be from Cyprus I'd think. There is no danger to boats here and I have not heard of any boat theft. I know insurance companies are quite lazy and I was annoyed that they don't research, they seem to base their knee jerk reactions on a country's political stability rather than any actual insurance risk.

The Movenpick hotel marina in Beirut is great, or St. George's, both have full service and good prices. Good luck, and hope it works out.

James.

More Help: Sent November 2008

The 2008 EMYR rally visited Lebanon again this year and despite having to split the fleet between St. Georges Marina and ACTL Jounia, we encountered no problems.

A large party visited Balbeck at the top of the Bekka Valley - again no problems.

I have done a little research and think it would be virtually impossible to bareboat in these waters. I know of no charter firm who would be willing for you to undertake such a trip.

You should remember that: - your passport must have no evidence of having visited Israel (and that includes evidence if you have crossed the border with either Egyptian or Jordanian border crossing stamps); - your next port of call from Lebannon cannot be Israel, neither can your last port be so; - you will be asked for a port clearance form from your last port and they estimate the time you have been at sea from leaving there and arriving in Lebanon. It is no use handing in a two week old Port Said form as you will be asked to leave, this also applies to Syria.

I have good contacts in the yachting community in Lebanon if you need further help. You can contact me on davidmashon@hotmail.com.

Dave
S/Y Mashona
Cyprus