The Mediterranean has one of the World’s most attractive Coastlines, just perfect for exploring by sea. Many experienced yachtsman sail from the ports and marinas of the Costa Blanca and the following information will be of interest to both novice & experienced sailors alike.

USEFUL CONTACT LIST:

Spanish National Meteorological Office                 Website

Teletiempo (24 hour forecasts)                               Tel 807170365

Alicante Port                                                              Tel: 965 230 544

For information about sailing, weather, events and harbours, contact the Royal Sailing Club of Valencia - Real Club Náutico de Valencia at C/ Canal 91,46024 Valencia Tel: 963 679 011 Fax: 963 677 737

PERMITS REQUIRED:

A sailing permit or licence (título de recreo) is not needed to sail the following vessels during daylight hours in Spanish waters: 

Motor boats, up to 4 meters in length and with a maximum power of 10 Kw (13 CV)

Sailing boats, up to 5 metres in length

Kayaks, canoes and pedal boats and boats with motors of under 3.5 Kw

For all other vessels, it is necessary to hold an appropriate licence. Please note that failure to have a licence may result in the vessel being confiscated or a hefty fine.

Although a Yacht Masters certificate (and translation into Spanish) or an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) are considered sufficient proof of competence to skipper a UK (or some other) flagged vessel, the ICC is not a recognised qualification for Spanish flagged vessels. Anyone resident in Spain must have a Spanish recognised qualification, the título de recreo. Note: this information applies to recreational (not professional skipper) licences only.

LICENCES - fall into the following categories: 

Patrón de Navegación Básica (PNB) (Basic Navigation Skipper) - Licence to skipper a sailing yacht maximum 8 metres in length or a motor boat maximum 6 metres (with a motor appropriate to the size) provided the boats stay within 4 miles of the shore

Patrón de Embarcaciones de Recreo (PER) (Recreational Vessel's Skipper)
Licenceto skipper a motor boat up to 12 metres, within 12 miles of the shore

Patrón de Yate (Yacht Master) - Licence to skipper a yacht up to 20 metres within 60 miles of land

Capitán de Yate (Yacht Captain) - No limitations

Patrón de Moto Náutica - (Motor Boat Skipper)

Patrón de Moto Náutica C - (licence C to skipper boats under 55 CV)  

Patrón de Moto Náutica B - (licence B to skipper boats between 55 CV and 110 CV)

Patrón de Moto Náutica A - (licence A to skipper boats from 110 CV) 

OBTAINING THE LICENCE:

The Título de Recreo is applied for, and issued, either by a school recognised by the Spanish Dirección General de la Marina Mercante or one of the Autonomous Communities. A medical certificate (certificado médico) is needed and the exam includes a series of safety, navigability and boat ‘basic principles’ tests. The Título de Recreo is issued once the applicant has passed a theory and practical exam (it varies in length and difficulty depending on the size of vessel). A good level of Spanish is required to take this exam.

Some foreign boating permits are recognised in Spain including the US Coast Guard Licence and the RYA Yacht Master Certification and the International Certificate of Competence and exemption can be acquired. Consult the local marina for details as rules vary by region.

YACHT TRAINING SCHOOLS:

There are training schools throughout the country. Most offer the basic security and navigation procedures course, practical courses and preparation for the Título de Recreo. Some can also convert and validate foreign licences. Courses will cover International Regulations to Prevent Collisions at Sea (Reglamento Internacional para la Prevención de Abordajes en la Mar) and the Mediterranean Sea: Winds Journal (Mediterráneo. Cuaderno de Vientos)

Practical lessons will cover:

Basic Safety and Navigation Procedures - Navigation area: Minor and Mediterranean seas (Prácticas Básicas de Seguridad y Navegación – Zona de Navegación Mar Menor y Mediterráneo)

Basic Safety and Navigation Procedures - other navigation areas (Prácticas Básicas de Seguridad y Navegación – otras zonas de Navegación)

Practical Navigation Courses (Cursos de Navegación Práctica)

FOREIGN BOATS & SPANISH CUSTOMS:

All boat owners should clear customs if entering Spain for the first time and the following documents are required:

registration papers - crew passports - certificate of competence - evidence of the boat's VAT status - crew list with passport details - radio licence - certificate of insurance.

A VAT paid or exempt yacht can apply for a permiso aduanero. With this document, the boat owner can remain in Spain indefinitely. Boats registered outside the EU, on which VAT has not been paid, may be imported into the EU and remain for no more than six months in any twelve, after that VAT becomes due. This period can be extended by prior arrangement with the local custom authorities. Foreign vessels must fly their own national maritime flag, together with the courtesy flag of Spain.

REGISTERING A BOAT OR YACHT: 

Registration (Matriculación) under the Spanish flag is required for boats spending over 182 days a year in Spanish waters. The majority of Capitania Maritima (Maritime Authorities) are able to register/re-register vessels. The Commandancia de Marina Mercante can also carry out this procedure. The cost of registration includes a matriculation tax of 12 percent of the vessel's value.

There are also rules concerning the vessel's inventory. Local capitania can provide a list of equipment boats should carry.

INSURANCE:

Third party liability insurance is mandatory for all motor yachts, jet skis and jet bikes and all sailing yachts over six metres. Insurance documents must be kept on board. If the authorities board a vessel and do not find this paperwork, the owner will have five days in which to prove the vessel is insured.

SHIPPING DISPATCH:

This formality, required by the Capitania Maritima, ensures all civil vessels meet with necessary administrative requirements. Sailing boats and small motor boats, under six metres in length, are exempt from the Shipping Dispatch. Consult the local Capitania or marina for details.

SAILING ON THE COSTA BLANCA:

The Costa Blanca’s Mediterranean coastline offers some perfect conditions for year round sailing. The Royal Spanish Sailing Federation (Real Federación Española de Vela) is the governing body of sailing in Spain for everything toorganising classic races to teaching the basics.

The local federations have information about clubs and schools in the area as well as a calendar of race days and the Federación de Vela de la Comunidad Valenciana can be contacted at Garrigues 1, 46001 Valencia. Tel: 963 530 120 or email at fvcv@xpress.es The web site is www.fvcv.es

The CBYA is based near Javea on the Costa Blanca and exists to give all those with an interest in boating, both power and sail, a chance to socialise, and share boating experiences.

Most of the members have their boats based on the Costa Blanca, but they also have members with boats in France, Greece, and England. They have experienced crew looking for skippers and skippers looking for crew. Thet welcome anyone with an interest in boating, from novice to Yacht Master to join them. Visiting yachtsmen are welcome to call in to visit when sailing in this area.

They organize boating events during the summer months. These vary from one day events to cruises lasting several weeks. There is also a very active social programme. They meet every Monday at the Meson de Paco bar on the Javea to Benitachell road; from 8.00pm. Please visit their photo gallery and recent events pages, or call in and meet them to find out more. www.cbya.org

2: WEATHER IN SPAIN:

We are happy to provide a link to the current weather satellite for Western Europe for an up to date picture of the weather here in Spain.

http://www.weather.com/maps/geography/europe/index_large.html