The reason for the tightening of the official requirements is increased smuggling activities in Turkish waters, as YACHT Turkey correspondent Udo Hinnerkopf reports. The transport of refugees and marine diesel in particular are currently a problem. A whole series of suspects were therefore recently arrested in Marmaris. In order to tighten the network of controls, a small pier has now been laid out in Marmaris where every yacht that wants to clear in or out must moor. The jetty is located to the south-east of Netsel Marina within the cruise port and to the west of the coastguard jetty (Sahil Güvenlik). Those who moor there initially pay between 15 and 25 Turkish lira (6 to 10 euros) per hour, depending on the size of the yacht and the length of stay. The fee is collected by a security guard. The face check (passport to person) takes place in the passport police building a few metres to the rear. With a few exceptions, clearing in and out is only possible via an agent in all Turkish harbours.
Another new feature is that the old transit log, which became invalid on departure, must also be presented at the inspection. This is proof that the yacht (regardless of whether it is a private or charter yacht under a foreign flag) has not been in the country for more than five years. If this period is exceeded, a fine will be imposed. If no transit log is available, the date of entry must be searched for in the passport police database, which can considerably extend the mooring time at the clearance jetty and thus the hourly fee.
In Bodrum, the yacht must moor in front of the flat customs and passport police building at the fort pier south of the harbour entrance. In Göcek, clearing in and out is only possible at the Port of Entry Fethiye. The yacht must therefore first sail to Fethiye. Apparently, the transit log can be purchased at the Ece Marina Office and you can clear out yourself for 50 euros. Passport police, customs and the Health Authority are located in Fevzi Cakmak Street on the way into town, right on the waterfront near the entrance to Ece Marina. The harbour police office is at the Tourist Office. In the smaller municipal harbours of Bozburun and Datca, the procedure is quicker and easier to handle via the agencies based there.
The addresses of the agents can be found on the website Insider sailing by Udo Hinnerkopf.
