WINTERING IN LEBANON

I had decided to spend a part of the winter in Lebanon.

When you arrive you have to call Oscar Charlie on VHF. It is the Lebanese military service. I was called by FINUL (United Nations) several times in the night. They asked me some questions and when I was fed up with them I asked them to let me sleep. They told me to enter territorial waters in front of Beyrouth and not in front of Jounieh. I did not obey. I was told later that I was right.

The most convenient marina is Jounieh ATCL Club. Formalities for clearance were 4O euros. To leave the country, it costs 80 euros. In winter for my eleven-metre boat, I pay 300 euros per month.

The captain had told me there was no berth for more than a few days. In fact, I can stay for some months but I can’t leave the country without my boat.

Jounieh marina is not really a marina. It is a very select club including a marina (a swimming pool, tennis courts, etc..). But don’t worry, everybody is simple and friendly and they accept every yachtsman. The climate is milder than in Turkey.

I didn’t feel any insecurity while travelling in Lebanon. There are some checkpoints as usual in the Middle East. They never stopped me when I rented a car.

It is a good place to spend the whole winter or part of it.

Daniel and Monique

SY PANDORA

December 2008