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Turkey: what to check before you sail

Mediterranean

Wintering is cheap, clearing in and out takes paperwork.

Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coast draws owners to winter there for its prices and climate, and is a gateway to the Aegean. Two things matter for insurance: the long spell ashore, and the paperwork for entering and leaving with the boat.

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At a glance

Marmaris, Bodrum, Göcek and Antalya

Long lay-up ashore: check that craning and blocking are part of your policy

Insurance certificate needed for customs and harbour on entry and exit

Deep anchorages, little shelter: dragging at night is a typical claim

Worth knowing

Turkey: what to know before you go

Many European owners winter in Turkish marinas such as Marmaris, Bodrum or Göcek, because a yard costs a fraction of what it does in the western Mediterranean. Damage ashore comes from storm, fire, theft and craning. Check that your policy runs through the lay-up, including craning and blocking, as a seasonal policy may not. Also read the yard's contract: it insures the yard's facilities, not your boat.

Entering and leaving Turkey with your own boat requires complete documents, and the insurance certificate is one of them. Authorities and marinas commonly ask for it. A certificate in several languages avoids delays at customs and with the harbour master, especially if the boat has changed owner or flag. Make sure the certificate aboard is the current one.

Under way, much of the Turkish coast offers deep anchorages and little shelter. Dragging at night and mooring damage in harbours open to the wind are the most common claims, more than damage on passage. Take bearings and check them after dark. If the boat's home berth is in Turkey, confirm that your policy allows a berth outside the EU.

Questions and answers

Common questions

Is a long lay-up ashore in Turkey an insurance risk?

For Turkey: It can be with a seasonal policy, because damage in winter storage from storm, fire, theft or craning then falls outside the protected period. Check that time ashore, including craning and blocking, is included, and ask what the yard insures: usually only its own facilities.

Do customs ask for the insurance certificate?

It is part of the boat's documents when you enter and leave Turkey. A certificate in several languages avoids delays at customs and with the harbour master, especially if the boat has changed owner or flag.

What should I know about anchoring in Turkey?

For Turkey: Many anchorages are deep with little shelter, and dragging at night is among the most common claims. Take bearings and check them after dark. If you leave the boat at anchor with nobody aboard, check whether your policy requires crew aboard.

Which cruising area do I need for Turkey?

Your policy states one of five cruising areas under A-2. For Turkey that is "Inland waters, North Sea, Baltic, Mediterranean", and liability and hull cover apply there. Anyone who goes beyond it once is still covered for six weeks a year in Premium; in Basis and Basis-Plus only by prior agreement.

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