Sunday, August 30, 2009

Sailing in Croatia this summer? Information which you need to know




General


Recently nautical tourism has become one of the most attractive forms of the overall tourism offer of the Republic of Croatia. We can say that Croatia, the land of a thousand islands and a beautiful, well indented coastline is a perfect nautical destination.


All the segments of nautical tourism have been brought together under the Croatian Association of Nautical Tourism, which was established as a professional organisation under the Croatian Chamber of Commerce. This association includes four groups: the Croatian Marinas Group, the Croatian Charter Vessels Group, the Croatian Diving Tourism Group and the Cruising and Motor Sailboat Excursions Group.
Considering that nautical tourism represents one of the most attractive aspects of the tourism offer of our country, the Croatian Association of Nautical Tourism is a centre for obtaining useful and necessary information for boaters, a place where the profession presents its questions which are then resolved through the Association, and which aims to advance the tourism offer to the delight and satisfaction of boaters and guests who have selected our coast, islands and sea for their holiday.


Services


There are 50 marinas on the Croatian Adriatic, with the capacity of over 13,200 sea berths and 4,500 dry docks. The marinas are constantly working to upgrade and enrich their services, and to adapt to the modern needs and wants of nautical guests. More and more marinas on the Croatian Adriatic have expended their services and now days are offering everything, from top quality traditional cuisine, water and electricity, health care clinics, charter company services, to the use of apartments and security services to protect the property and equipment of guests.


Adriatic Croatian International Club, better known among boaters as the ACI Club, is the leading nautical tourism company in Croatia, represented with a chain of 21 marinas stretching from Dubrovnik in the southern, to Umag in the northern Adriatic Sea.
Visitors to the well equipped Croatian marinas can expect the usual reception service in addition to technical services. Also, restaurants, snack-bars, shops, dry-cleaning and other facilities have also been added to make the guests' stay more pleasant.

Many marinas on the Croatian Adriatic have been recognised with the Blue Flag. This prestigious international recognition awarded by the European Foundation for Environmental Education symbolises a preserved, safe and pleasant environment, which is accompanied by exceptional tourism promotion.
Yacht charter in Croatia


In order to rent a vessel, guests must possess a valid recreational craft license, and must also have a radio certificate (can be obtained in all Port Authorities). Upon renting the vessel, it is necessary to fill out and certify the crew list. All changes to the crew while sailing must be reported to the Port Authority.
Licensed and recommended yacht charter company in Croatia:
www.yacht-base.com

Diving in Croatia


There are total of 150 diving centres operating along our coast. These have been brought together under the Croatian Diving Tourism Group of the CCC.


Maritime search and rescue


Ministry of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development of the Republic of Croatia, based on the National Plan for Maritime Search and Rescue, is responsible for the organisation and execution of search and rescue at sea. The National Plan for Search and Rescue clearly outlines the principles of structure and activity, authority, responsibility and active measures by responsible persons during search and rescue operations at sea under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Croatia. The structure of the Search and Rescue service is as follows:



  • MARITIME RESCUE COORDINATION CENTER - RIJEKA (MRCC RIJEKA)

  • MARITIME RESCUE SUB-CENTRES (MRSC) - regulates the operation of all Port Authorities in the Republic of Croatia - Pula, Rijeka, Senj, Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Ploce, Dubrovnik

  • COAST GUARD UNITS - all Port stations of all Port Authorities + shore-based radio stations + monitoring lighthouses

  • RESCUE UNITS - sea, air and land based units


The Republic of Croatia is a signatory of the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, and as such is part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System- GMDSS.

The National Maritime Rescue Coordination Center Rijeka (MRCC RIJEKA) provides a 24 hour watch service, and in terms of jurisdiction of the Center, this includes the region of internal marine waters, territorial waters of the Republic of Croatia (marine belt wide 12 nautical miles from the shoreline towards the open sea) and the region of international waters as confirmed in treaties with neighbouring states and as reported to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Internal maritime waters and territorial marine waters are divided into sub-regions, for which the sub-centres are responsible alongside the MRCC RIJEKA.

The National Centre (MRCC RIJEKA), all the sub-centres (Port Authorities) and their port stations and all shore radio stations - Rijekaradio, Splitradio and Dubrovnikradio, provide maritime radio monitoring services on internationally confirmed frequencies and channels for emergencies and safety.

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety Program - GMDSS, operates on terrestrial and satellite technology. Terrestrial and satellite telecommunications include VHF radiotelephony, VHF DSC digital selective calling, MF/HF RT and MF/HF DSC (radiotelephony - mid/short-wave + digitally selective calling on short/long wave), Radiotelex, Navtex, the SAR radar transponder and transmission VHF radiotelephony systems. Satellite telecommunications include the COSPAS-SARSAT system as well as the satellite radio-location subsystem GMDSS and INMARSAT (the International Mobile Satellite Organization), as the communication section of the satellite subsystem GMDSS.

MRCC RIJEKA, as the maritime rescue coordination centre in Croatia operated on the frequencies and channels of the GMDSS system, as well as maintaining 24 hour service on two toll-free telephone numbers for all calls from fixed and mobile telephones at the emergency number +9155, from outside Croatia at the telephone number +385 51 9155 and by fax +385 51 312 254.


1.Weather report for the Adriatic Sea

Shore-based radio stations emit daily weather reports and weather forecasts for the upcoming 12 and 24 hour periods, both in Croatian and in English:



  • Rijekaradio - call sign 9AR - VHF ch. 04, 20, 24, 81 at 5:35, 14:35, 19:35 UTC

  • Splitradio - call sign 9AS - VHF ch. 07, 21,23, 81 at 5:45, 12:45, 19:45 UTC

  • Dubrovnikradio -call sign 9AD - VHF ch. 07,04 at 6:25, 13:20, 21:20 UTC


* UTC - universal time coordinating (= GMT, Greenwich Mean Time)


2.Constant weather forecasts on VHF - transmitters

Weather forecasts for the Croatian coastal region are provided in Croatian, English, Italian and German every ten minutes, and are updated at 7:00, 13:00 and 19:00 (local time). The weather summary a short forecast for the next 24 hours and information on air pressure.

Broadcast frequencies:



  • VHF ch. 73 for northern Adriatic/ western coast of Istria

  • VHF ch. 69 for northern Adriatic/ eastern part

  • VHF ch. 67 for central Adriatic / eastern part

  • VHF ch. 73 for southern Adriatic / eastern part

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Boat or yacht charter. Sailing in Croatia




Croatia is a jewel of the Mediterranean with majestically beautiful coastline with more than a thousand islands. Hence many sailing enthusiasts visit Croatia to explore the thrills of the real sea adventure.

Boat charter in Croatia is very simple, however there are some terms and conditions which you should follow and/or you’ll be expected to meet.

Firstly, it is needless to note that if you don’t have any experience or you are on the boat for the first time you must hire a vessel with a skipper. Croatian marine law clearly specifies that at least one (1) person on the vessel must have a valid documents and permits required to sail in Croatian territorial waters. If this condition is met, you are free to choose and charter any boat you want. Charter agency, for Sailing holidays in Croatia will provide you with experienced skipper and crew.

If you hold a valid skipper documents there are rules of navigation on the Adriatic, you must comply with. British Admiralty covers extensively the whole Mediterranean and you’ll be able to find useful information on their online digital catalogue. Website link: http://catalogue.ukho.gov.uk

On the website you’ll find all the information that you need to explore the Adriatic in full according to your own liking, not depending on a skipper or crew to guide you around.

It is important to note that caution and taking care is required at all times from all the people on board.

You’ll be able to choose between motor boats and sail boats charters of various prices. Some of the prices start under 2,000 Euros; mid range prices are between 7,000 - 10,000 Euros. If you intending to spend around 20,000 Euros you’ll be able to find a luxury vessel to make the Adriatic cruise an unforgettable experience.

The Croatian nautical as well as tourist season starts in the early April and ends late October. Therefore you can expect the prices to vary accordingly, with June, July and August being the most expensive. Arguably the best time to visit Croatia to fully enjoy the sailing experience is April, May, September and October and that is from various reasons.

Firstly, it is not high season therefore the prices are quite affordable. Secondly, at that time of the year the weather is warmish, not too cold, but still it is quite windy to enjoy the sailing fully. And finally at that time of the year the crowds haven’t arrived yet, or are well gone. Still you’ll be able to fully enjoy the Adriatic as sea is warm to take a swim in may and September.

Importantly, Croatia is reasonably inexpensive country. It is not cheap, however your money will go a long way. You’ll be much better off there than in Italy or Greece, but still it is more expensive than Turkey. Service is very good and people are very friendly.

The above are just general information and a guide to help you in answering general questions. However if you require any assistance or advice, or cannot find the vessel that matches your requirements, please feel free to contact the a charter company by e-mail , or telephone. I recommend Sailing Croatia , their friendly and experienced team will help you through the whole process and provide with more detailed information.