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Did you know that Spain now issues 90-day Schengen tourist visas?
Any non-European crew requiring a visa in order to fly in and join a yacht will know that Spain has not been the optimal Schengen zone country to arrive in first. Spanish authorities have in the past offered only Transit Visas with two-day validity to travel through the zone. However, this changed earlier this year… While there was no fanfare at the time, the introduction of a new Schengen Visa...
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CREW FLYING HOME ON TRANSIT VISAS
Spanish police issue new guidance for issuance of transit visas Spanish immigration police have issued new guidelines for the issuance of Schengen transit visas to seafarers departing the zone or travelling to join another vessel within the territory. Stipulations requiring a negative PCR test result prior to being admitted at destination country has been leaving crew in visa limbo in recent...
Estela in media collaboration with superyacht vlogger, eSysman
Whether you like slick supercar videos, watching pro gamers play Call of Duty, or enjoy practical content such as online cooking or yoga classes, YouTube has it all. The world of superyachts is no different, with many crew and enthusiasts creating brilliant content in a variety of styles, designed to entertain and provide insight into yachting and life on board. One vlogger in particular whose...
‘The Y Yachting Itineraries’ 2021 is out!
Yes, it’s finally here! Delayed for several weeks by the small matter of a global pandemic, but the fourth edition of our annual yachting guide, ‘The Y’ 2021 is now available. If this is the first edition of our guide you have seen, each year we feature different destinations and fresh ideas for things to see and do on your travels. As well as recommendations for where to go, we...
Season almost over? Consider the Canary Islands this autumn, really.
September is looming into view already, signalling the final weeks of the usual Mediterranean season. But this season has been anything but ‘usual’, with many trips curtailed or cancelled altogether, due to the wretched coronavirus.So, here’s a suggestion for owners and charterers to spend some bonus time on board this year, in a safe destination and with warm weather. Without crossing the...
Mallorca is OPEN!
Last week Spain re-opened its borders to tourists from the EU/Schengen zone, as well as a select number of non-European countries, including the United Kingdom. Without quarantine or COVID-testing requirements, Spain is one of the most easily-accessible places for yachts and for private flights, with up to 50 arrivals at Palma’s private LEPA terminal daily! What’s more, Mother Nature has enjoyed...
Need to clear out this year?
Looking beyond the imminent Mediterranean cruising and charter season, you may need to complete your TA and exit EU waters later this year. Consider doing this by visiting Melilla. Melilla is part of Spain, but is not in the Customs Territory of the EU (TAU) or the Territory of VAT application (TAIVA). This makes it a useful point in finalising Temporary Admission, as part of the Inward...
Anticipation, preparation, LIFT OFF!
Spanish borders are once again OPEN to tourists and visitors arriving from within the EU and Schengen zone, without the need to quarantine! Private flights into Palma de Mallorca kicked back into life on Sunday, while yachts stationed here have started greeting their owners after a long, three-month separation. If your owners or guests are due to arrive from further afield, we should have more...
Grab YOUR last-minute placement in The Y Yachting Itineraries 2021!
Here at Estela, we normally print the 330-page 'The Y Yachting Itineraries' every April, but this year is like no other. The coronavirus lockdown meant we were forced to stop the clock, until now... We are printing the 2021 edition at the end of next week, which gives us the unusual opportunity to share a complete draft of the book with you ahead of...
Resumption of passenger flights in Spain
Understandably, there are many owners keen to rejoin their yachts as soon as permitted, though there is, as yet, no news of when this will become possible in Spain. Many countries in Europe are targeting 15th June as the date that their borders will re-open to tourism, and while Spain is rumoured to be considering joining these, nothing has been announced. While crew are able to move around...
Heading to Spain from the Atlantic? Need quarantine exemption?
There have been many discussions in the past week about quarantine requirements for yachts arriving in Spain from the Caribbean. By the letter of the law, as issued by the central government, all seafarers are exempt, without exception. This ruling does not discriminate between private and commercial vessels, as professional qualifications are IMO-compliant for both categories. However, having...
‘Yachting in a global pandemic’
Coronavirus protocols and best practice for captains, crew, owners and guests The coronavirus outbreak has thrown the maritime industry into turmoil, with no vaccine or treatment available for the time being, and testing not yet universally available. It’s fair to say that yachting has some unique challenges with COVID-19 on the scene. We asked some specialist maritime medical experts how...
Visas
Given the current border closures, restrictions on travel and uncertainty about the Mediterranean season, we are understandably receiving MANY queries from crew about their visa status. Anyone in Spain currently, stamped onto a boat but with an expired tourist or Schengen visa, should not worry about overstaying. Visas are currently suspended and no punitive action will be taken by authorities...
Testing, testing…
The issue of coronavirus testing is a live one, with much information and disinformation being shared on social media and, worryingly, by some agencies. The Balearic government has approved the provision of clinical tests by just two private hospital laboratories in Mallorca. The PCR test (checking for coronavirus) has an efficacy of 80-90%, with results available after 24-48 hours. The price of...
Immigration Quarantine Update
From today, Friday 15 May, Spain has brought into law mandatory 14-day quarantine for all arrivals from outside Spain, including returning nationals and permanent residents. GENERAL All international travellers will be subject to hygienic sanitary checks upon arrivalHealth authorities may contact quarantined persons to track their movementsWhen symptoms such as fever appear, cough, shortness of...
14-day quarantine for new arrivals
Today, on Tuesday 12 May, the Spanish government has announced a tightening of restrictions on arrivals into Spain, bringing the already-required 14-day quarantine for new arrivals into law. This new law comes into effect from Friday 15 May. In order to protect the healthcare system as movement restrictions within Spain are eased, the authorities intend to strengthen epidemiological surveillance...
Recreational boating enters phase 1
May 11, 2020 Today, Monday, May 11, the de-escalation for recreational navigation begins for Spain’s autonomous communities moving to Phase I, including the Balearic and Canary islands. The Order TMA/400/2020, published in the Official State Gazette (BOE, here https://boe.es/boe/dias/2020/05/10/pdfs/BOE-A-2020-4912.pdf), establishes limitations regarding the permitted number of passengers...
Requirements for crew embarking in Spain
By decree, issued on April 29th, crew from third countries must provide the following documentation to Spanish immigration authorities before being permitted to enter Spain for work purposes. a) Card or professional certificate (certificate of competency or proficiency) or seaman's identity document or Seafarers' identity document or Discharge book. b) Document or employment contract of the...
Visa nearing expiry?
We are receiving many queries from non-EU crew with expired visas, or with limited time remaining. The initial guidance in March from local immigration police was that days remaining would “no longer be counted”, suggesting that visitor visas would be frozen in time. Immigration officials now clarify that this is not the case, but that those leaving Spain on an expired visa will not be...
Exercise now allowed in Mallorca
Spanish authorities have published new exercise guidelines in a de-escalation of the COVID-19 state of emergency. The schedule for de-escalation varies from region to region, so for the sake of simplicity, these are the new regulations for Palma de Mallorca only, valid from Saturday 2nd May. If you are outside of Palma, please consult your local authority for permitted exercise times and...
Travel around Mallorca
From today (Monday 4th May) Spain’s Ministry of Transport has relaxed restrictions covering general transportation The use of masks that cover the nose and mouth is mandatory for all users of bus, rail, air and sea transportation. In the case of passengers on ships and boats, the use of masks is necessary only in shared or public spaces. It is also mandatory for users of passenger...
Melilla reopened to yachts
Port of Melilla, with the agreement of the Government Delegation, has reopened to yachts wishing to carry out operations in the port or for long stays, taking advantage of Melilla’s financial&custom benefits. To enter the port, these requirements must be met: -Declaration of the captain with body temperatures of each crew member. -Only crew are permitted on board and upon arrival, crew will...
Coronavirus lockdown nautical sector
On 30th April, Spain’s Ministry of Transport issued the following clarification regarding the phased easing of the Coronavirus lockdown and a return to new normality, specifically for the recreational nautical sector. These are the key steps, as planned, which are subject to amendment in the event that the current health emergency re-escalates. Key steps Phase Zero, from Monday, 4th May You may...
‘The Y Yachting Itineraries’ 2020/21, coming in May!
The latest edition of our annual superyacht travel guide is ready to go and will come off the press in May, as soon as we are able to resume operations. If cancelled or rescheduled events or activities have re-opened your marketing budget, this is your opportunity to promote new event dates, products or services!Our itineraries are: Melilla to Tangier, Best of Balearics, Canary Islands, Antigua...
Covid-19 No test is better than a bad test
Like other suppliers, we have been offered self-testing coronavirus kits for re-sale to clients. The demand for tests certainly exists and we receive enquiries daily, though the efficacy of such tests is doubtful, with accuracy no better than 60%. In other words, you may as well flip a coin. For this reason, we are declining to offer the kits currently available, as we can’t vouch for their...
Yacht movements in the Balearics
There has been a small number of yacht departures from, and arrival to, Mallorca in recent days. While the guidance around yacht movements remains unchanged, successful representations have been made for allowing yachts to return to their home port or shipyard.Regular arrivals by yacht transporters continue to set local chat forums alight, but as such yachts qualify as commercial cargo, up to...
Crew changes, any chance?
Following revised guidelines issued by the European Commission on 14th April, crew changes may be permissible, though no official decree has been issued to that effect by the Spanish government.This means that an official request to the Spanish authorities must be presented in each instance, in order to obtain explicit authorisation for inbound travel. As consignatory agents, we can prepare and...
Travel restrictions extended until 15th May
On the recommendation of the European Commission this week, current travel restrictions in Spain are to remain in force until 15th May at least. In general, this means that travel in Europe remains limited to repatriation for nationals or residents. There are, however, exceptions for key workers, such as transportation workers (including seafarers), or those travelling for reasons of safety...
Rollback of in-yard work restrictions
Last night (9th April), the Spanish government did not renew the interim restrictions that brought all non-essential work activity in Spain to a halt two weeks ago. As such, limited works are again permitted and are set to resume after the Easter break. Now permitted, subject to strict guidelines: Non-essential work inside yards and workshops, by crew and contractors For clarity, these...
COVID-19 Sanitation
Estela is working hard to respond to all the challenges that the coronavirus emergency brings. Now, we are able to provide you with services and products to disinfect your yacht and minimise the risk of spreading the virus on board. Our deep cleaning service uses the most powerful sanitising products, applied methodically by professional cleaners, in accordance with strict usage guidelines....