I thank Hasan Kascmaz, the organizer of the EMYR these last 15 years, for paving the road, establishing the contacts and assisting our group by contacting the harbors on our behalf when my efforts were yielding only limited success.
The following outlines the arrangements we have made:
Start of Rally: Finike Marina - many thanks to Caglar, Marina Manager
Southern Cyprus, Latzi. The harbor master is Chris, also harbor master for Paphos, whom we met last summer when in Paphos. He is welcoming us and working with us to ensure mooring and customs clearance.
Northern Cyprus, Girne and the anchorage. Ufuk, the manager at Netsel Marina, is communicating for us with Hasan, the harbor master in Girne in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, for moorage in Girne and arrangements with the Coast Guard for the anchorage. I will be visiting the Coast Guard while we are in Girne to further discuss and arrange our details for the anchorage.
Syria, Lattakia and Tartous. Maissa at The Syrian Yacht Club in Lattakia is expecting us and will be handling the berthing and the customs clearance. Maissa has also put us in touch with the Harbor Master in Tartous, the southern port of entry and exit in Syria. I will be visiting the Harbor Master in Tartous by land while we are in Lattakia to view the berthing area and make any final arrangements.
Lebanon, Beirut and Tyr. Jamil, the owner of the Holiday Beach Resort and Marina in Beirut, is very pleased that we are visiting. He is making arrangements for our customs clearance in Beirut and is also our link to the Harbor Master in Tyr. I will be visiting Tyr while we are in Beirut to view the berthing area and meet the Harbor Master.
Israel, Haifa, Tel Aviv and Askelon. The Commodore of the Carmel Yacht Club in Haifa, after discussing our visit with their committee, has contacted me welcoming us to use their facilities and volunteered to negotiate with harbor officials on our behalf for security and customs clearance into Israel. I have confirmed our stays at the Herzliya marina in Tel Aviv and the Askelon Marina in southern Israel for exit from the country.
Egypt, Port Said, Damietta and Alexandria. Ron from Emperor and his good friend Mohammed at the Alexandria Yacht Club are arranging for the facilities we require. Ron spent the majority of his working years in Egypt and has volunteered to work with his life long friends to pave the road for us. In early January Ron is traveling to Egypt and will be working on our arrangements. Where it may be required Hasan from the EMYR has offered to help us with our Egyptian arrangements. While we are in Port Said I will be making a land trip to Damietta to meet the Harbor Master and view our berthing area.
In Summary our arrangements are in place. These countries have more military exercises than the countries you will have cruised on your way to Turkey. It should be understood by all that we may have our timing or routing modified if we are told by the military that we cannot enter a particular harbor at the time we wish. We will be keeping in touch with the authorities through the Harbor Masters and Marina operators as we progress. It is their responsibility to inform the authorities of the movement of cruisers.
We look forward to an enjoyable cruise.
Seasons Greetings to all.
Bill Cote and Jean Panepinto
s/y SOLEIL SANS FIN
Marmaris, Netsel Marina, Turkey.
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