There are many rules and regulations in any country (or zone in the case of the EU). In Turkey we have been travelling on Visitors’ Visas which are issued for a 180-day period and allow us to visit Turkey for 90 days within that period. They are “re-entry” visas; so, we may come and go. We have been splitting our time between our home in Canada and our boat in Turkey; so, that has worked just fine for us.

The permission for Dolce Farr Niente, a Canadian registered vessel, to be in the country is by a Transit Log which is issued upon entry and is valid for five years or until the boat leaves Turkish waters. The transit log stays with the boat. It is updated for new owners and crew. It is issued anew and reset only when the boat leaves Turkey and reenters.

We were advised when we purchased the new Turkish-made sail that, since it is purchased by a foreign-flagged vessel for export, the Turkish sales tax would not apply as long as the vessel left Turkey within three weeks of delivery.

Apparently there is another regulation on the books that applies to individuals travelling to and from Turkey on foreign-flagged private vessels. Upon reentry to Turkey, if the owner/captain has been in Turkey for 185 days out of the previous 365, the person (people) and the vessel may be denied reentry (and possibly the vessel could be seized). This rule has been on the books for a long time; but, until recently, it has not been enforced.

After checking and rechecking our dates and in consultation with a Turkish agent, we are making a run for Rhodes. Rhodes is the nearest Greek island, it is 25 nautical miles from our current base in Marmaris. Stay tuned for more on that adventure…