With the charter season starting, what are your tips for yachts operating in the Med this summer?
FOR FRANCE?
Anchoring into Posidonia seagrass is still strictly regulated for yachts over 24m.
Given though the important economic impact of superyachts, the decision to install mooring buoys is being implemented. 30 mooring buoys have been accepted for now and the first 15 are being put in place in Golfe-Juan, Cannes and Èze/Beaulieu-sur-Mer. However, at this stage, we do not know when the buoys will be available nor the procedure, duration and cost of anchorage.
In the meantime as captains can face imprisonment, fines of up to €150,000 and bans from navigating in French Mediterranean waters, a good advice would be for them to consult their agent and the site Donia.fr to help them anchor away from sensitive and protected species.
FOR ITALY ?
Over the past few months, yacht crew entering Italy have been experiencing real difficulties to be "stamped out" to board their vessels.
This was due to the strict application of a recent ECJ decision and EU Directive by Italian port authorities, which stipulate that a non-EU resident crew member can only access Schengen states for 90 days in every 180-day rolling period, and can only be stamped out of the Schengen area and onto a vessel when the Captain informs the local immigration authorities of the vessel’s departure.
Thanks to successful government relations actions led by several yachting and cruising organisations, the Italian Parliament has recently adopted a rule whereby non-EU yacht crew arriving in Italy will be able to obtain a long-term work visa for up to 365 days. The details of the visa issuance procedures are still being developed as we speak.
Since not all ports in Italy are invoking the regulation, crew are encouraged to get their shipping agent to find out which ports will stamp them out before departure so that they can receive a stamp and cease using up their Schengen allowance.
FOR GREECE?
A new law recently passed introduced a simplified process for chartering from, to and between Greek ports. Commercial yachts of 35m and over, made of plastic, steel or aluminum would not be required to open a branch anymore and obtain a charter licence but just obtain an e-charter permit and appoint a tax representative to enable them to perform up to 21 to 28 days of charter in Greek waters per calendar year.
It is still unclear though as to whether the procedures to implement such legislation will be in place in time for the coming season. There are several grey areas and queries to be clarified by the government. Therefore, it is important to obtain advice before booking any charters in Greece.
ANY NEWS FOR THE MONACO YACHT SHOW THIS YEAR?
MYS has revealed that a new Sustainability Hub will be launched at this year’s edition in collaboration with the Water Revolution Foundation to welcome companies specialising in technology aimed at reducing superyachts’ environmental footprint.
Raising awareness on environmental issues is key and essential for Monaco which aims to position itself as one of the most influential places in the world that sets trends in yachting with the view to become a “Silicon Valley of the Sea”.
For more information, please contact Janet Xanthopoulos: j.xanthopoulos@rosemont-yacht.com
This article was originaly published on Monaco Seaside - June 2022, the exclusive port magazine in Monaco.