General informations
History
Ground of the Paleolithic and the Bible before being Seljoukide and Othoman, this area of junctions was Greek in turn under the Byzantine Empire, Roman province under the influence of Latin then of the emperor Constantin, Moslem woman under the Othoman Empire. Judaism, Manicheism, Buddhisms, Christianity… the merchants caravaneers walking on on the road of silk, with African ivories passed by there. It is an attractive territory which the Armenians, Greeks, Arabs, Turks… coming from the steppes of Mongolia or besides, pressed before you! It is a country of reliefs and strong amplitudes.
The history is omnipresent in this country of contrast. Among the emblematic figures which took part during centuries in the construction of current Turkey, Mustafa Kemal – called “Atatürk” – symbolizes the history of the modern Turkish people. Son of a modest civil servant residing in Salonique in Macedonia, this young and brilliant Mustapha accepted from his teacher of maths the nickname of Kemal, that is “the excellent”. This nickname was in accordance with its military course: he became lieutenant-colonel, then pasha (general) to gain the independence of his country in 1923. It is perhaps one of many reasons for which the Turks consider the army as a honourable institution, witness of a glorious tradition. Founder of the Turkish Republic in 1924, he was the President until his death on November 10,1938.
Until the 15th century: the region is occupied by Hittites, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans.
1453: fall of Constantinople, taken by Ottomans, who rename it Istanbul. Beginning of an Empire that will last 3 centuries, until the beginning of the 19th century.
Beginning of 20th century : Turkey allies itself to German during the First World War(what attires then many German tourists).
1915: genocide of Armenians
1918: Allied occupation following the Turkish defeat.
1920: Attaturk takes the power and declare war to Greece.
1923: proclamation of the Republic. Ankara becomes the capital and Attaturk president.
1925: birth of a modern and laic Turkey.
1938: death of Attaturk.
1947: neutral during the war, the country benefits of the Marshall plan.
1950-1952: pro-Occident politics and member of NATO.
1960-1980: social-economical and political crisis, coup from the Army.
Years 80’: set up of a liberal politics of privatisations, and opening of the country to foreign capitals.
1989: Turkey demands to adhere to the EEC.
1992: armed opposition of Kurds (PKK) in the South-East region of the country.
1999: in august, a violent earthquake near Istanbul makes many thousands deaths. Second earthquake at the end of the year.
To be known
The official language is Turkish.
Today, approximately 90% of the population is of Islamic religion, with 70% of Sunnites. One estimates at about 20% the Alevi and other heterodox branches. Christians, Jews and other small groups account for about 10%.
During the centuries, Turks developed a rich and inventive kitchen. Of nomadic origin, the Turks had to adapt their receipts to circumstances and places. Their kitchen was influenced between 15e and 20e centuries by those of the countries conquered by the Ottoman empire (Balkans, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Cyprus and Maghreb countries). The Turkish kitchen is very based on the freshness of products and respects their natural savour: meats are roasted more than simmered, sauces are rather rare.
In Turkey, the family plays an important part. In villages, members of the same family live in the vicinity from each other in order to be able to give financial or emotional support. The parents are very respected by their children who must learn how to obey them since their very youth.
The Turkish flag
Adopted in 1793, the Turkish national flag is red, the colour of Omar the First, caliph who reigned from 634 to 644, and who consolidated the Ottoman Empire. In 15th century, red became the colour of the Ottoman Empire. The crescent with the star is the symbol of Islam.
Regulations
Les plaisanciers désireux de séjourner plus de 90 jours sur une période de 6 mois en Turquie devront fournir les papiers et justificatifs suivants :
1-Lettre de demande de permis de séjour à la police principale du lieu de résidence
2-Photocopies du passeport : page de la photo et page du tampon d’entrée en Turquie.
(vérifier la validité du passeport, il doit être valable au moins 1 an pour un permis de séjour pour un an, valable au moins deux ans pour un permis de séjour pour deux ans.)
3- Photos récentes x4
4-Justificatif de revenu pour la période de permis demandée. (Il s’agit de prouver que chaque demandeur de permis de séjour ait les moyens de séjourner en Turquie.)Pour les retraités un justificatif de la banque serait suffisant.
5-Justificatif d’assurance maladie (il s’agit de prouver que chaque demandeur de permis de séjour puisse être pris en charge lors d’éventuels frais médicaux, hospitalisation, etc.)
6-Photocopie du transit-log
7-Photocopie du contrat de marina
8-Photocopie des papiers du bateau
Transit log
The Transit Log is an authorization to enter the ports and to sail in Turkish waters. The formalities are carried out at the time of the entry in the first Turkish port.
Mandatory ports of entry and exit are:
Hopa, Rize, Trabzon, Giresun, Bartm, Ordu, Samsun, Sinop, Eregli-Zonguldak, Zonguldak, Istanbul, Tekirdag, Bandirma, Çanakkale, Akçay, Ayvalik, Dikili, Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi, Güllük, Bodrum, Datça, Marmaris, Fethiye, Kas, Finike, Kemer, Antalya, Alanya, Anamur, Tasucu-Silifke, Mersin-Içel, Botas-Adana, Iskenderun.
The validity of the transit log is now of one year (since 2003). Count 30€ about.
Attention: in the event of an overrun of the duration of the transit, a fine is required. For example, 8 days of overrun = 66€.
The Transit Log will be suppressed according to certain circumstances:
Departure for a foreign port.
For yachts charter, at the end of their cruising.
If a modification of the crew arises, take in account what follows;
a) The transit is provided with 2 modifications of crew.
b) At the time of reception of new team-members, fill the complement of the transit with the assistance of Harbour Master, and make it stamp by the authority (free service).
c) When the team-members leave, keep the document about them.
d) If you change more than 2 times the team-members, it is necessary to ask for new annexes to your transit.
e) During the handing-over of the transit in the event of wintering or if you leave Turkey, you must give the totality of the documents. Be careful because it is a way of fighting against wild charter and clandestine immigration. During a control, it depends much on mood or the rigour on the authority.
When the owner of the yacht or the captain grounds the yacht. In this case, the transit log is given to the customs, which keep it until the new launching. The document remains valid as long as it is not expired.
Identity documents
The passport (or identity card for French people) gives right to a valid tourist visa available for 3 months.
It is useless to try to obtain more (permit of residence, etc)
Those who have a contract with a marina have the right to require this permit of residence.
Vocabulary:
Some words that you may find on charts:
Burun ou Burnu = cape
Aziz = saint
Adacik = small island
Koyu-u = creek
Dag-i = mountain
Dere = stream
Kale = castle or fort
Körfezi = gulf or bay
Limani = bay or port
Setur Marina = "chain" of marinas
Tepe = hill
Yarimadasi = peninsula
Charts:
Only one French chart covers this navigation zone: SHOM 7342 at 1:175000. Such a scale is not really adapted for a coastal navigation. Catalogue Shom
British Admiralty charts:
Sea of Marmora BA 1005; Channel Canakhale BA1004 and BA2429; Bozcaada BA1608, Ayvalik BA1061 and BA1675 (detail of Ayvalik bay), Izmir BA1058 and BA1522 (Izmir detail), Samos with Symi BA1099, Bodrum with Marmaris BA1055 and BA1644 (Marmaris detail), Marmaris with Kekova BA1054, Rhodos with Antalya BA236, Fineke in Cyprus BA237.
The Turkish service, equivalent to the French SHOM, publishes more precise charts but which very partially cover the zone between Marmaris and Fethiye. Try to get charts 3121 and 313.
The 3121 details at 1:25 000 the zone of Marmaris with some zooms at 1:12 500 to 1:5 000.
The 313 covers, at 1:100 000, the zone of Fethiye with Kas with zooms at 1:25 000 for Fethiye and 1:10 000 for Göçek.
Alas, there is nothing on the Skopea gulf (immediately West of Fethiye). The use of a nautical guide is thus essential. The new 6th edition of the Imray guide by Rod Heikell (ISBN 0 85288 481-8) - an excellent work, which contain descriptions, diagrams, positions GPS and many other very useful informations - allows to make up for the absence of chart.
Diving
The regulations for diving have changed. Diving was previously prohibited to any foreigner except in authorized diving schools. The diving equipment had to be sealed.
Diving is now authorized on the southern coast of Turkey except in the zones enumerated below, which include archeological sites likely to contain underwater antiquities. It is possible that other zones will be open on the Aegean coast. As for all regulation changes, some delay may applied before local authorities know it, and it is better to check it out in a diving school before to use your personal equipment.
Kas, southern Heybeliada, Sicak Koyu, Antik Koyu, surroundings of Oludeniz, surroundings of Suluada, surroundings of Olimpos Antik Kenti, surroundings of Anamur Burun.
Export of cultural goods and antiquities of more than 100 years is severely regulated and punished in Turkey (prison sentences, heavy fines). (2004)
Information on navigation changes
Fishes
Mercan: sea-bream
Uskumru: mackerel
Sardalya: sardine
Kalkan: turbot
Toryk: tuna
Levrek: bar
Barbunya: mullet
Hamsy: anchovy
Palamut: bonito
Lüfer: jumping temnodon (specific to Istanbul)
Anchorages
Turkish Marinas
Anchorage in Turkey, though very simple in principle, presents the following difficulties:
one is obliged to anchor from the back – exposing the rudder blade to the coast – because the anchor winch is very useful to operate the 30 to 60 m of chain that you have to drop and raise;
if one anchor later in the evening when thermal breezes are more weak, it remains only bad places and no much time before the night to try many others.
Weather
Turkish Weather website
General covering
Site Poseidon
VHF :
Weather forecast in Turkish and English
Izmir (covers the Aegean coast and W Mediterranean Sea):
Channel 67 (announced on Ch 16) at 09h, 12h, 15h, 18h, 21h LT
Antalya (covers the Mediterranean coast):
Channel 67 (announced on Ch 16) at 09h, 12h, 15h, 18h, 21h LT
COASTAL SAFETY AND SALVAGE
Adress: Meclis-i Mebusan Cad. No: 18 Kat: 4 Salýpazarý / Ýstanbul
T: +90 212 292 52 80 (7 line), F: +90 212 292 52 97
info@coastalsafety.gov.tr
Signalling facts concerning navigation (pollution, brokedown lighthouse, etc)
Free call: +90 800 211 66 66. Working hours: +90 212 251 75 47. After WH: +90 212 237 31 75/+90 212 238 40 7
List of embassies and consulates
09