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SailGreece.net member companies
welcome you to sail the Greek Seas. As a self
sail yacht charter, all yachts are available to qualified crew
who have experience and competence in the handling and operation
of the vessel type and size chartered. The charterer is required to
demonstrate that he/she has sufficient practical knowledge of
seamanship, navigation and Rules of the Road
Knowledge.
The owner of the yacht or a
representative of our company shall reserve the right to verify
competence at the time of check in. Charter companies reserve the right to
include at the charterer's expense, the services of a skipper, if
boating experience is thought to be insufficient to safely
operate the vessel. The charterer shall agree not to
delegate duties to any person not equally qualified.
A certificate of seamanship skills or
boating license is required and must be bought with you during your
charter. To self sail in Greece, documented proof must be
provided showing at least 1 crew member has experience
in sailing and one crew may be asked to provide a written
statement of sailing experience. Documentation may include a
sailing certificate, license or other written proof. To
qualify for a Boating Safety Course Certificate and to
refresh your navigational skills click here to take the Boat/ U.S. Foundation's
Online Boating Safety Course. (passing the test does not necessarily assume capability to
safely handle a sailing or motor vessel without prior
experience)
The American Sailing
Association (ASA) web page is at http://www.american-sailing.com/.
If
you are an experienced sailor you can "challenge" for the certification
so you don't have to pay for the whole course, i.e. just take the
written exam and on the water test; costs about $100. If you don't
have a lot of experience then the course fills in any gaps and it is a
great confidence builder. Plan your trip well and enjoy the beauty
that Greece and its islands have to offer. Treat the yacht as if
it were your own and enjoy your sailing adventure.
Check in
procedure
This is the time when the
owner/representative of the yacht will hand the
boat over to
you. Expect at least 1-2 hours for the owner to review
the yacht handling procedures, location of safety and
navigational equipment and other yacht essentials. Protocol for
checking in periodically and your itinerary will be
discussed. Carefully inspect the yacht for damages
including the deck, hull, sails and equipment prior to signing
the form for taking over the yacht. Any damages
discovered upon your return will be charged to you, so take the
time to carefully inspect the yacht for your own protection. Ask for
the location of the yacht manuals and review them if needed.
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Check list for sailing/going
ashore
Carefully plan your sailing itinerary and
review charts before departing. Mark the areas you intend to
sail. All navigational equipment, charts and pencils are provided
to you. Make use of the Greek Water Pilot manual for information
about the islands and the Greek Seas. It can prove
invaluable. Monitor the weather forecast before
departure. VHF on Channel 16, Radio Hellas, and by using the
Navtex. Perform routine checks of the bilges,
water and fuel tanks and battery charge.
Always let the engine warm up while charging before departure. Check engine controls for properly engaging forward and reverse and for any ropes around the
prop. Demonstration to your crew is essential
in proper procedure and use of fire fighting and life saving
equipment. Location of the first aid kit and how to operate the
VHF unit. Be aware of proper protocol for distress/normal
communication. Wear harnesses and life jackets at all
times while on deck during rough weather. This is routine
procedure and must be followed. Never allow children on deck without
life jackets at any time. Following proper safety precautions
will ensure your safety while sailing.
It is your responsibility to follow the
basic rules of sailing. When arriving at port make sure the yacht
is safely secured or safe at anchor. Check to make sure navigational
lights are turned off in case of night arrival. Check and clean the
bilge pump. Before going ashore, carefully place
fenders to protect the vessel from swells of passing boats and
other incoming yachts. The gangway should be placed on
the dock while you are away and stored on the yacht while asleep.
Make sure the main gas switch has been turned off, lock the
yacht leaving small portholes open for ventilation. It is
recommended that you carry all personal identification papers
and currency with you while ashore.
When refueling at port, avoid
spills into the sea at all times. Garbage disposal is available
at all ports. At no time shall non-biodegradable materials be thrown
into the sea.
Helpful
reminders:
Perform routine checks of the yacht
functioning daily before sailing. Check coolant, fuel and water
levels. Check the fuel/water separator for water inside the glass. Drain if needed.
Visually check the engine area for signs of coolant, fuel or engine oil leaks, broken or loose
belts. Keep engine oil level above the 2 markson the dipstick, never below Avoid letting the engine with a nearly empty fuel tank. Water condensation will accumulate at the bottom of the tank. Follow the 2/3 rule before setting sail for your next destination. When starting the engine, look for water emerging at the exhaust outlet. If water is not emerging, stop the engine immediately and locate the cause. Use the engine manual for troubleshooting. Charge your batteries daily and as needed at
aprox. 1000-1200 rpm ( Most important with use of electric
refrigerator). pay special attention that the electric
refrigerator does not run on full power while the engine is
not running. Doing so will drain your battery
completely.
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During your sailing trip.
Maintain a daily log of your sailing.
Plan your sailing times and destinations carefully to give
yourself ample time for the return journey. Refer to
the material given by the owner for nautical miles/hours
between destinations. Observe the conditions of the charter
agreement set forth upon your departure. If at any time you believe you will have difficulty reaching your destination/port because of inclement
weather or other reasons, notify the owner/representative immediately
for advisement. You will be responsible for handing over
the yacht at the designated port
and date as agreed. There may be
penalties for delays or late handing
over of the yacht.
In the worst of circumstances, if you are
unable to safely return the yacht for any reason, notify us
immediately for advisement.
Inform the owner/representative
immediately if you have or suspect any problems or incidents. We
welcome your honest reports. Doing so will protect you in the
long run and will avoid unnecessary delays or discovery by the
next charterer or during your check out time.
Take special caution that any
archeological artifacts or items of antiquity are prohibited from
being taken from their location or out of the
country. Also, the possession of illegal drugs carry strong
penalties.
SailGreece.net member companies
strongly adheres to the fact that consumption of alcoholic
beverages while sailing is a dangerous and unsafe practice. Loss
of control over the yacht can place your own crew as well as
other vessels and their crew in danger. You will be responsible
for all liabilities and damages if such occur while found to be under
the influence of drugs or alcohol.
top In case of
accidents.
You must inform the owner/representative
immediately but at least 24 hours after the incident.
You must inform the nearest Port Police
Office, or if at sea, the Port Police at your next port of
entry. They will log the incident and give you a copy of the
entry. Make sure you receive these copies.
You will be instructed to prepare a
statement for the insurers called the "Master's Report". This
statement should be endorsed with the stamp of the Port Police
Office. It should include names of all passengers and crew list
with addresses and phone numbers.
In case
of emergency.
If at all possible do not abandon your
vessel as the possibility can arise where it can cause
accidents to other navigators. it is clearly understood that abandoning
the vessel may be appropriate and prudent at times when
the lives of the crew are in real or imminent danger. Always
transmit "MAYDAY" from VHF Channel 16, state your position and
nature of your emergency. Do not switch to another channel
before receiving a response. International distress calls need
to be transmitted three times in succession.
Transmission of "PAN MEDICO" is the
appropriate distress signal for serious sickness or injury.
ALWAYS attempt to contact the
owner/representative for any emergency. Do not accept
salvage assistance from any vessel other than the
Port Authorities without our prior knowledge or
consent.
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Safe
handling tips.
Avoid accidents by following safe road
rules and observing the other yachts navigation. In the case of
the islands, there are many passenger ferries and large ships
arriving frequently. Sea traffic may be heavy at times and
many mooring places for yachts are near the ones used by these
vessels. Avoid the swell caused by the final approach as
they can create such a wave that a yacht close by can easily be
pushed against the quay, causing serious injury to both crew
and yacht. Known harbor areas where such
accidents have been known to occur are: Meriha in Kythnos,
Kamares in Sifnos, main harbor of Serifos and Mykonos. The islands of Syros, Poros and Tinos are
also trouble areas to watch.
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Meltemi
winds
Great consideration needs to be taken in
regards to the Meltemi winds, which is at its maximum wind speed
in midsummer. The Meltemi blows from Northwest up to Northeast
with varying directions of 90 degrees depending on your
location.
The best time to sail during the Meltemi
is a few hours before sunrise. The wind velocity is at its
lowest during this time and would be the best time to set
sails. Even at these early hours, if the winds are heavy,
then it is advisable to stay in the harbor.
A rule of thumb to follow is that if the
wind velocity blows the same at sunrise and sunset as it does
during the day then you can expect it to blow the same
velocity the next day. Alternately, if the wind velocity drops
during sunrise or sunset, then it would be expected to blow
much less the next day.
Always prepare for the worst and expect
the best. Make sure to get a good night's rest and eat a mild
breakfast of dry toast/tea. Avoid caffeine and dress warmly.
Set sail as early as 0430 to 0530 when the winds are at their
mildest.
Some seafaring
hints:
A red sky during sunset = wind the next
day.
A small cloud atop the highest island
mountain peak = wind
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Weather
forecasts
VHF:Olympia Radio Channel 16 may be used for
verbal weather reports. Weather & shipping
forecast times:
0900
1300
1900
0100
Weather is
announced at these times and then you are required to go to your
appropriate VHF channel for your region.
Central Aegean 4
Saroniko 25
Keffalonia 27
Rodos 85
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