This article deals with procedures for an EU flagged boat and UK nationals only, the differences for other nationalities concern the cost and duration of the visa.  These details can be found on the web at www.allaboutturkey.com/visa.htm.

 

If you are renewing your visa by leaving Turkey for a quick shopping trip to Rhodos, the following guidelines apply.  If you have just arrived and are lucky enough to be reading the Porthole before you check in then you can skip to the check in portion.

Checking Out

Take your transit log, which lasts a maximum of one year, to the Harbour Master in Marmaris town.  His office is in front of the bazaar furthest away from the Ataturk statue.  The Anatolia restaurant is on your right.  Complete the Y2 page at the back and he will stamp your transit log.  Your next stop is the Marmaris cruiser port where you will find all the other offices you will need for both checking out and checking back in.  The cruiser port is on the dolmuş route into town immediately before Netsel Marina.   Go down the hill to the buildings on the right and the Port Police are at

the far end.  Take the cancelled transit log and all the passports for your crew; make sure that all the passports get an exit/cikiş stamp.  The Customs Office next door will stamp the cancelled transit log; you are now cleared to leave Turkey within 48 hours.  Happy shopping, safe winds.

Having popped over to Rhodos and stocked up on all the goodies, including bribes for the Porthole Editor, you will need to check back in.

Checking In

On arrival in Turkey you must buy a new transit log for your boat and a visa for each passport holder.  The procedure is the same for a first time arrival or a renewal for someone who has left the country.  Pack a bag with passports, sandwiches, a good book, ship’s papers, insurance documents and a pen.  You buy a new transit log from The Chamber of Shipping, located in the Marmaris Bazaar. This office is almost directly behind the Harbour Master’s.  Enter the Bazaar next to the Harbour Master up the main path and take first turning on the left. 20 yards on the left there is a door with a sign “Marmaris Chamber of Shipping” - directing you to the 4^th floor, where a transit

log costs approx 76 ytl.  Then you will need to find a café and fill in your new transit log making sure you enter your intending cruising ground.

Now go back to the Cruiser Port. First call is the Doctor – he will ask you for a photocopy of the Transit Log, you won’t have one so he will charge you several kurush and be a little grumpy.  Assuming you and your crew do not have the Plague, the Doctor will stamp and sign the transit log.  Next buy your new visas from the office next to the Port Police. Please ensure you purchase the right visa – 90 day multiple entry.  Although the visa lasts for 90 days, not 3 months, it is worth assuming a maximum of 88 days so that you do not fall foul of the severe penalties for overstaying.  Not capital punishment but expensive nonetheless. 

The Port Police now need to stamp your transit log and validate each visa with a date stamp, they also enter your passport details onto their computer, check the date stamp in each passport.  We have heard of mistakes that will not be their fault if discovered later.  The

Customs office inside the departure area of the port building is your last stop here.  They stamp the visas which allow you to visit the Duty Free.  It makes good shopping sense to check in when the ferry is running.  During the winter months the duty free shop is only open on the days the Rhodes ferry service runs.  Nearly done. 

Finally, visit the Harbour Master for the last stamp on your transit log and the payment due is dependant on the number of ports you have listed on your transit log.  As a guideline listing 5 ports will cost approx 10 ytl.  There is an additional charge called Lighthouse Dues for boats over 30 GRT, about 70 ytl.  It is also worth noting that all of these officials eat at some time during the day, always different times and always when you want them there.  Try to avoid 12 noon until 2 pm.  Don’t forget you are dealing with foreign bureaucrats and these are guidelines only.  Never forget your sense of humour.

 

 

Visas and Transit Logs

Stainless Steel

When buying stainless steel nuts, bolts or washers, take a magnet with you (you might be surprised) After cleaning and polishing stainless steel, wipe a thin smear of baby oil over it to prolong its gleam.  It really works.

Exercise Your Sea cocks

A seacock is useless unless it works when you need it. To keep sea cocks functioning reliably, they must be exercised regularly and lubricated at least once a year. Cone- and plug-type seacock need to be disassembled to be properly

serviced, but ball-valve sea cocks are easily maintained by spreading a dollop of waterproof grease on both sides of the closed ball.

Outside the boat, the ball is usually within reach, but to lubricate the interior side of the ball requires removing the hose attached to the valve. Operate the valve handle a couple of times to spread the grease onto the seat, and make a habit of exercising the valve every couple of months.

Toilet Maintenance

Saltwater and uric acid (!!) produce calcium scale inside

marine toilets and discharge hoses. Such deposits cause the toilet to get progressively harder to flush and can lead to total blockage. Avoid this unpleasantry by pouring a pint of white vinegar into the bowl once a month and pumping it slowly - a single stroke every 4 or 5 minutes - through the toilet. The mildly acidic vinegar dissolves fresh scale deposits.

To keep the pump operating smoothly, follow the vinegar with an ounce or two of mineral oil or a lubricant specifically formulated for marine toilets.

 

 

Boat Tips , John & Pearl of ‘Hydrus’

Page 2

11th January 2008

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