Our detailed guide to European destinations.
EU member?
Yes.
Visas?
No.
Ship’s papers
Ship’s registration papers.
Proof of VAT status.
Ship’s radio licence.
Proof of marine insurance.
Itinerary, backed up by ship’s log.
Crew papers
Passports.
Radio Operator’s Certificate.
Crew list, with dates of birth, passport numbers, where embarked, intended departure from boat.
Report to Customs?
Not if arriving from an EU country. If arriving from a non-EU country, report to Customs on entry. Obtaining a customs permit will allow you to enter any small Spanish harbour without its own customs office. The permit should be stamped on departure from Spain.
Diesel
On Atlantic coast not widely available on quayside. The few places where it is include La Coruña, Santander, Bayona, Seville and Cadiz. Much better on the Mediterranean coast, where most marinas and some yacht clubs and fishing ports have fuel berths.
Water
Readily available. May be charged for.
Shore power 220V AC
At larger marinas on Atlantic coast. Widely available in Med and Balearics.
LPG
Refilling rarely possible.
Camping Gaz
Widely available.
Berthing fees
Similar to UK on Atlantic and Med coasts. Much more expensive in Balearics.
Currency
Peseta (100 céntimos).
A maximum of 100,000 pesetas may be exported from Spain.
Credit cards
Can usually be used to pay for fuel. Can be used to get cash from cashpoint Visa more so than Mastercard.
Eurocheques
Can be cashed in banks. Accepted in some larger shops and restaurants.
Travellers cheques
Can be exchanged in banks.
Emergencies VHF
Ch 16 monitored by coast radio stations. Will pass distress message to nearest Capitanius Maritimas. Good rescue coverage includes the Red Cross lifeboats (Spain’s RNLI equivalent) and Navy boats and helicopters.
Emergencies phone
Maritime emergency 900 202 202
Ambulance 091
Police 091
Fire 091
Pets
Pets can be landed if have an export health certificate issued by a UK vet.
Dialling code to UK
0044 then the number, omitting the first 0.
Telephone boxes
Have instructions in English. Take 25 and 100 peseta coins, or phone cards bought at tobacconists.
Weather forecasts
On Atlantic coast you should be able to pick up BBC Radio 4 long wave shipping forecasts and gale warnings with a good radio. The Trafalgar area is only featured at 0048. Coast radio stations and Spanish national radio issue weather forecasts in Spanish, see pilot book for frequencies. If you’re in a bar at 2120 you may see a weather map on TV.
In the Med, some coast radio stations issue forecasts in English on VHF. See Imray Mediterranean Almanac. Most marinas post weather information on noticeboards.
Trailing
Regs differ according to area. With an ordinary car driving licence you can only tow a trailer up to 750kg. Before launching, report to port captain and show your ICC. You will then be issued with a boating permit.
British Embassy
Calle de Fernando el Santo 16, 28010 Madrid. Tel: 0034 91 7008200. Visit www.ukinspain.com
Tourist office in UK
Spanish National Tourist Office, 22-23 Manchester Square, London W1U 3PX. Tel: 020 7486 8077. Visit www.tourspain.es or www.alltravelspain.com or e-mail infolondres@tourspain.es or askus@alltravelspain.com
Charts and books
British Admiralty charts give excellent coverage.
Macmillan Nautical Almanac.
Iberian Guide.
Mediterranean Almanac, Imray .
Atlantic Spain and Portugal. Imray.
East Spain Pilot. Imray.
www.ybw-books.com
Language
Spanish.
September 2001
