Even with lockdowns in place worldwide, it remains possible for yachts to take on fuel, either in the Caribbean or in Spain. Our bunker partners in Antigua can supply you or we can assist you in Mallorca or elsewhere in Spain, depending on your itinerary. Even if you still have fuel on board, prices now are favourable than before the closures, so it is an opportune time to top up. Contact us to ask about arrangements and pricing.
There was a stir in one of Palma’s largest social media groups this week, when a large sailing yacht was spotted cruising, seemingly leaving Mallorca for Italy, according to AIS. Indeed, today Estela managed to obtain official permission for another yacht to leave Mallorca, again for Italy. In principle, the current restrictions continue to prohibit any yacht from leaving or arriving in the Balearics, though under extenuating circumstances, an application to depart may be considered. There is no established protocol, though should any yacht be needing to return to its home berth, please contact us and we can make representations on your behalf.
The Port Authority of the Balearics on Monday issued fresh guidelines for yachts stationed in yards and marinas. The clarification follows reports of yacht crew having been stopped by authorities from washing down over the weekend. In addition to existing restrictions already in place, which prohibit work of any kind being undertaken in yards, the new clarification stipulates the limitations for activities undertaken by crew living on board. The only work that may be carried by live-aboard crew while in yards and marinas is: work that can be done autonomously, without any non-crew coming on board work within the confines of the boat’s deck perimeter, including the superstructure and interior Work on, including cleaning of, the exterior part of the hull is not permitted. For boats without crew living on board, the Port Authority clarifies that authorised personnel may inspect boats daily for security and safety purposes, subject to the same restrictions as above. Unchanged restrictions Please note, that only essential travel is permitted, solo, to and from the nearest supermarket, pharmacy, etc, and you can be asked to produce receipts. You may also be required to produce written authorisation from the boat’s Captain/CO/Manager to travel to and from the […]
Here is a status update for Antigua and Barbuda, from our partners, Anchor Concierge & Superyacht Services in Falmouth Harbour Marina: The government of Antigua and Barbuda has declared a State of Emergency in an effort to curb the spread of the Coronavirus – COVID 19 A 24 Hour curfew from Thursday, April 2 from 12:01 a.m. (immediately after Mid-Night Wednesday) to Thursday, April 9, 2020 has been imposed. This time period will be reviewed and may be extended. There will be no movement during the day by non-essential workers Essential workers and others should continue to practice social distancing of six feet between persons Persons are confined to their places of residence during the 24-Hour curfew hours The protocols will change as the government reviews the situation with the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Essential Services permitted to operate during State of Emergency Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda (to include Fire Service) Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) Customs Department and ancillary staff to include freight forwarders Immigration Department Emergency Medical Services and E-911 Services State Media and other Broadcasting Services Her Majesty’s Prison Air Traffic Control Service […]
#superyachts #yachting #monaco #france #covid19 #coronavirus In Spain, COVID-19 related restrictions were tightened over the weekend, but in the meantime, here is a status update for Monaco and France from our partners in Monaco, Catalano Shipping: – All ports are closed – no arrival or departure are accepted– Only yachts with long-term contracts are allowed to arrive– Ad hoc requests can be made for yacht wishing to leave– No anchorage is allowed in French and Monegasque waters– Crew holding EU Passport are allowed to circulate– No non-EU passport holders are allowed in. Departure can be organised only in exceptional circumstances
Further to our recent communications, we have been seeking clarification of the notification process to the local port authorities, to authorise crew to travel to and from your boats. In the meantime, our lawyers have created an authorisation, which your crew may use to travel to and from the boat, for safety or security reasons. You should complete, sign and stamp this document, to be carried at all times by each crew member. Our details as your yacht’s ‘consignatories’ are pre-filled on the form, so if you would like to formally appoint us as your representative, you MUST send us all completed and stamped forms for our records (palma@estelashipping.net) and we will send them back to you, stamped by us. This way, we can formally represent* you to the local authorities. *We cannot guarantee you will not be fined, but as your agents, we can make representations on your behalf. Please note, that only essential travel is permitted, solo, to and from the nearest supermarket, pharmacy, etc, and you can be asked to produce receipts. In addition to the document above, you must carry passport/ID, crew list and documentation from the yard/marina confirming where the boat is stationed. Please note […]
Given newly-tightened travel restrictions this week, only Spanish citizens and residents are now permitted to enter Spain. This means that captains and crew not already here will be unable to take charge of their yachts upon discharge. Yachts will need to be moved into a nearby marina, for the duration of these emergency restrictions. Please contact us if you require: A berth Temporary crew to move your yacht from the commercial dock to marina Us to liaise with your transport ship’s local port agent Access to the commercial port for unloading of the yacht Permission to commute/travel while in Mallorca Customs clearance and Temporary Admission of the yacht into the EU for 18 months Bunkering or provisions and permission to move as necessary Sanitary certification We have details of several qualified captains and crew, if you would like us to provide some CVs and put you in contact. For contractual and insurance reasons, you must contract with this crew directly. Contact us for details, on +34 638 81 68 03 or palma@superyachts.agency
Any crew planning on joining or re-joining vessels in Spain in April, MUST NOT book flights. Until 22nd April, there will be ZERO flights into or out of Spain, without exception. We are advised by the authorities that crew in Mallorca on a time-limited visa, including transit visa, should not be concerned about visa expiry dates. As you will have been here before the latest decree was put in place, you are in a ‘force majeure’ situation, unable to sign on or off and unable to travel. Day-counting has been suspended for all such visas. If you have any query or require assistance, please contact us. Call us on +34 619 65 59 55 or email palma@superyachts.agency
In light of EU border closures and restricted entry to, and movement between, yards and marinas, we are assisting a number of yachts returning from the Caribbean and Americas. Captains should note that we are collaborating with the Port Authority in Melilla, the Spanish port on the Moroccan coast, to assist anyone in need of berthing, fuel or provisions. Please contact us to enquire how we can help you, and to complete the requisite pre-arrival formalities. Call us on +34 638 81 68 03 or email palma@superyachts.agency
Spain plans to extend its state of emergency for another 15 days, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced Sunday. Additionally, Spain is now cooperating with carriers in order to deny boarding of passengers who fail to meet the previously published criteria for entry into the country.
Melilla is one of two Spanish cities located on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco. Melilla is perfectly positioned as a base from which to explore the North African coastal region, with the added benefit of being a ‘free port’. Melilla is part of Spain and is therefore within the EU, though is outside its Customs Union and is VAT-exempt, making it a perfect starting point for charters. Lower costs may be appealing in themselves to thrifty captains and guests, though the city itself, as a destination, has more to offer than the average tax haven. Melilla also has its own small airport — conveniently, directly next to the port — for private flights, while a number of daily scheduled flights provide ample international connections via mainland Spain. Larger private planes can use nearby Nador, just outside the enclave’s perimeter. By sea, Melilla lies 125 NM from Gibraltar, 290 NM from Ibiza and 680 NM from Monaco. This video was created in 2019 by Francesco Gennai of Estela Yachting, accompanied by Giulio Riggio of Fraser Yachts and Luis J. Ayala Navarro of Port Authority of Melilla.
SANITATIONPlease note that we can arrange for COVID19 sanitation treatment of your yacht.TESTINGWe have been asked to supply COVID19 testing kits, though there is presently a shortage of kits and any available units are reserved for hospitals. Demand is high, but we can arrange for private COVID19 testing to be carried out on board, subject to authorisation by a doctor.PREVENTIONWe are currently sourcing prevention kits for some yachts, including masks, eye protection, gloves and aprons. These are subject to availability, but let us know if you require such items. MEDICALIt is advisable to have oxygen available on board, in case of any delay in access to emergency ventilation treatment. We can supply the necessary equipment. Provisioning & Supplies Should you require provisions or chandlery, please note that as consignatory agents, we have access to ports and marinas, so we can supply anything you require.Our Cash-to-Master service also continues to operate, as normal.
Since the closure of Spain’s borders was implemented this week, we have received many queries from captains and crew. Having sought further clarification from the local authorities about the current position for yachts and crew wishing to enter or leave Mallorca, we can advise the following: Spain’s border ‘closure’ means that there are now checks in place for arrivals, where there were no checks before (specifically, for arrivals from the Schengen area). The shutdown is set to end on March 31st, but is likely to be extended. All hotels in Spain will close from March 24th until further notice. There is a provision to allow cross-border workers in and out between their place of work and place of residence, which are each assessed on their merits. Others who can demonstrate a valid reason to cross the border by providing documentation will also be allowed into Spain. This should include crew currently overseas, wishing to rejoin their families based in Spain. We can advise you on the necessary documentation to provide. Yachts are currently not permitted to move between local marinas without express authorisation from the authorities. Should a yacht be wanting to arrive in Mallorca, they must provide evidence of […]
Non-EU flag vessels: Please note that yachts on non-EU flag, and whose 18-month stay in EU waters is set to expire, should contact us for assistance. As each case will differ, we will aim to find a solution for your particular circumstances. Tel: +34 619 65 59 55 – 971722532 or email: palma@superyachts.agency
The Balearic Islands’ government announced on Tuesday March 17th the closure of all ports and airports with immediate effect, denying entry or exit of citizens for the duration of the state of emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak. Exceptions will apply only to citizens or residents returning to the islands, and for visitors returning to their country of origin.The local government announced that no boat of any type, private or charter, may arrive at the ports of the islands and no passengers may disembark from any passenger vessels. UPDATE: At time of writing, the new order has not been passed into law by Spain’s Ministry of Transport in Madrid and clarification is being sought by shipyards and marinas, particularly in respect of yachts with home or reserved berths in the Balearics. Initial guidance is that yachts carrying crew only (no passengers or guests) may be exempt, though will in each case be considered by local authorities. Regional president, Francina Armengol, advised that the order coming into force today prohibits all commercial flights to and from the Spanish mainland and international airports, with some exceptions. All private national and international flights are prohibited without exception. As at today, the Balearics report […]
The 2020 Mediterranean season is approaching fast and here at Estela Yachting, we are working hard on our next edition of ‘The Y Yachting Itineraries’ and our events programme this summer. The majority of our 2019 partners have already committed to joining us again this year, so if you would like to know why they work with us, please watch the 3-minute video below.See for yourself how Estela connects with superyacht people others can’t reach. CAMPAIGN 2020: https://mailchi.mp/1e8727a71ad8/yacht-marketing-opportunities-2020?fbclid=IwAR2r0lpFCyMIOd3zz6mA6W9nQaAfdWjgvHpcHnWh30zrifKOv5ctVyBuwsQ
From all of us at Estela, we wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous new leap year! We have enjoyed a hectic 2019, but already we are working hard on plans for 2020. The next edition of our yachting guide book, ‘The Y Yachting Itineraries’, is on the drawing board, with an exotic theme and featuring lots of new destinations. Our events programme is taking shape too, so if you would like to know more about working with us, please watch the 3-minute video below. Find out for yourself how Estela connects with superyacht people others can’t reach. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj7ifJCL96Y&t=1s We would like to thank our captains, clients and partners for working with us during the past year and look forward to what 2020 will bring! Best wishes from the Estela Yachting team
What a way to start the caribbean season with our annual trip to FLIBS! on its 60th anniversarry, check out our interview with the director of Nobiskrug, as well as others then let us take you round the show, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
We are getting ready to visit the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, better known as FLIBS. For its 60th anniversary, the Show is introducing a Superyacht Village and Marina, dedicated to yachts over 100m+. The superyacht section can be found at Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina. To arrange a meeting, get in touch before the Show, or come and find us on the Balearic Yacht Destination stand, in the Yellow Zone Superyacht Pavilion 672.