Private yacht owners face fines for unauthorized commercial use. New rules enforce strict penalties and require notarized permissions for temporary use.
Private boat owners may temporarily allow others who possess a valid boating license to use their vessels with a notarized or port authority-approved authorization letter. Authorization letters issued for the spouses and children of boat owners will not require approval. A fee of 1,000 lira will be charged for authorization letters approved by the port authority. Documents of those who use a private boat belonging to someone else without an authorization letter will be suspended for a period of 6 months.
The use of private boats for commercial purposes has been prohibited. Those who allow their private boat or yacht to be used for commercial activities or who permit others to use it without an authorization letter will face an administrative fine of 2,500 lira per meter based on the full length of the boat. Additionally, individuals engaged in commercial activities with an ADB certificate will also be fined 2,500 lira per meter based on the full length of the boat they are using.
During inspections, individuals found to have a blood alcohol level exceeding a certain limit (0.25 mg/ml), those exceeding the determined speed limits, or those approaching swimming areas at a distance that endangers safety will have their amateur sailor certificates suspended for a period of 6 months.
Those using a private boat without a valid certificate or while their certificate is suspended will also face a fine of 2,500 lira per meter.
The regulation will come into effect 6 months later.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye