OCC CRUISING INFORMATION SERVICE

Editor: George Curtis, Blacksmiths Cottage, Aston Tirrold, Oxfordshire, OX11 9DQ, England

Tel/Fax:+44 (0) 1235 850794; e-mail cis@oceancruisingclub.org

‘Country Page’ Atlantic Spain

1. Formal requirements for yachts entering from abroad:

For EU registered yachts coming from another EU country or for non-EU registered yachts for whom Spain is not the first EU country to clear into this voyage there is no formal requirement to clear in but each port has its own practices which may vary widely even from its neighbouring facility and these should be adhered to. Best practice is to have the following information available so that the official can select what information they need for their own particular practice. Entry formalities in Spain are now relatively relaxed but having the following available saves a trip back to the boat:

Registration number and port of registry, Vessel dimensions, Number of Masts, Make of Engine, HP of engine, Amount of fuel carried’ Serial number of Epirb, Make and type of transceivers (radios), Licence numbers for radios (ship station licenses), Licence number for operators, Insurer contact details and policy number, Evidence of third party insurance in Spanish, Passports for all on board, Certificate of competence

Evidence of boat VAT status, Hull Number, Boat model type, Dinghy type, Outboard engine type and power, Last port, with payment receipt if applicable, Next port

2. Visa requirements:

3. Cruising permits and restrictions:

None required unless entering a maritime reserve or a military area. The Islas Cies, the barrier islands a the entrance to the Ria de Vigo, are now restricted and permits are required to approach the islands. Fines may be levied for not having a permit.

4. Formal procedures when departing from one port and entering another:

No formal notification required other than payment of and retention of bill. Providing formalities have been completed at first entry into EEC no restriction on berthing at ports where there are no officials. No requirement to lodge passage plans with coastguard or maritime police.

The authorities monitor traffic along the coast. It is not unusual to be challenged by maritime police in water craft or by air. If challenged have your passage plans ready to notify the official.

5. Recommended cruising guides:

RCC Atlantic Spain and Portugal, Martin Walker and Anne Hammick, fifth edition

North West Spain Cruising Companion Detlef Jens

6. Web links providing local cruising information:

7. Some of the Ports of entry:

For yachts where this is the first port of call in the EEC this voyage the entry port should be large enough to have the required officials. Suitable ports are A Coruna, Bayona and Vigo. The port official’s requirements for information should be met but even if the port official then seems satisfied enquiry should be made as to whether immigration (inmigracion) and customs (aduana) should be seen or whether the form now filled out meets their needs.

8. Recommended sources of weather and climate information and reliability:

http://www.freemeteo.com/default.asp?pid=28&la=1

http://www.wunderground.com/MAR

http://www.inm.es/

Navtex, La Coruna, ‘D’ 00:30, 12:30

Coruna radio, 13,67,15 even hours +15

Finisterre radio 11 even hours +33

Vigo, 10, 67, 15 even hours +15

9. Where to obtain tidal information:

10. How to contact the search and rescue organisation:

Salvamento Maritimo

Telephone: 900 202 202

Monitors VHF 16,

Monitors MF 2182

11: Any comments on radio and communications:

12. Any comments on emergency and health services:

13: Any comments on importing spares:

14: General advice, places to go, warnings:

Warning

The three islands forming the Islas Cies off Bayona and the Isla Ons to the north now form the Galician Atlantic Islands national park and there are new requirements to have a permit to visit them.

Policing of the scheme is carried out by park authorities themselves with the wardens checking boat names against a roster and then issuing notices of fines to those who have not got a permit. Apparently the fines themselves have to be paid by a process of a personal visit to an office in Vigo rather than by post so a good thing to avoid!

To obtain a permit visit the web site

http://reddeparquesnacionales.mma.es/en/parques/cies/guia_info_entorno.htma

and follow the link for 'permit application' - this is a two part process, first of all you get a general year-long permit but then, once this has been obtained, you need to notify the park of the dates when you intend to visit and the number of persons on board. The second part of the process is carried out over the internet and is automatic, the first part takes a few days. Alternatively if you berth at the Monte Real yacht club before you visit then the office there will help you with the process.

15: Any comments on safety and security:

The OCC Cruising Information Service is provided by the OCC. The information is supplied to the OCC by members and is for OCC members only. The date given in the above is the date that the members supplying the information visited this place and the information may have changed at any time. The OCC has taken no steps to verify the information, which should be confirmed independently. The OCC accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the information and cannot be held liable for any damage howsoever caused whether directly or indirectly or any consequential losses.