Tag Archives: coronavirus

Charter in Italy allowed soon

Just few rules and formalities to fulfill …

To all our Clients and Followers,

we would like to inform you that, unlike in many other Countries of the Med which temporarily stopped the marine traffic, the ports in Italy and specifically Sanremo and Genoa are operational and open for technical calls (calls for tourism reasons are not currently allowed) and that we can assist any yachts wishing to call at Sanremo and Genoa with all the necessary formalities and authorizations.
Please find here below an overview on the procedures required a list of the necessary documents to be allowed to call here. 

ARRIVING IN ITALY

To be allowed to call at Sanremo and Genoa, every yacht needs to apply maximum 24 hours before the yacht’s arrival through a registered agent for the Libera Pratica Sanitaria (Free Health Practique) to the Health Maritime Office by filling in the “Declaration of Health”, a document containing the yacht’s details and some general information about the overall health status of the crew (which you can require emailing us to eva@mansuetomarine.it). Along with that, the Authorities need also copy of the below listed papers:

1) Yacht Certificate of Registry

2) insurance

3) crew list

4) a list showing the yacht’s last 10 ports of call

5) copy of the departure clearances from the last one

6) a declaration on letterhead signed by the Captain and stamped with the yacht’s stamp, stating the following information:

a. Reason of the call

b. Address where the crew members will spend their 14 days isolation period (the yacht’s name and berth are valid and enough)

c. Confirmation that no crew member had flu symptoms or fever for at least 14 days before the yacht’s arrival and possibly a report of every crew member’s daily temperature during the last 14 days before the yacht’s arrival.

Please be informed that, once arrived, all yachts and crews will have to enter a 14 days isolation period (from which the sailing days from the last port are deducted).

CREW MOVEMENTS

Any crew movements is currently subject to the Immigration Police and the Health Maritime Office approvals; in order have the embarkation or disembarkation of a crew member authorized, we need to provide them with the following information and documents: 

EMBARKING CREW MEMBERS

1. As for anybody else entering Italy from abroad, a self-declaration (modulo rientro da Italia, please feel absolutely free to require a copy of it emailing to eva@mansuetomarine.it) showing the address where the 14 days isolation period will be spent and how they will reach it (once again, the yacht’s name and berth are valid and enough)*

2. Copy of the crew member’s passport

3. Copy of the crew member’s contract of employment*

DISEMBARKING CREW MEMBERS

1. The reason of the movement (only repatriation and hospitalization reasons are allowed)

2. As requested for the arrival, they need a new declaration, this time signed also by the disembarking crew member, stating that they did not have any flu symptoms or fever for at least 14 days before their sign off *

3. A report showing the crew member’s daily body temperature during the last 14 days before their disembarkation is strongly recommended.

4. Copy of the crew member’s passport

5. Copy of the crew member’s flight reservation (or travel information if they leave with a private transfer or vehicle)*

Please note that, the disembarkation for repatriation is allowed only if the crew member flies home on the same day, therefore it is strongly suggested to book flights leaving in the afternoon in order to have enough time to carry out the necessary procedures.

* documents that the crew members will have to bring with themselves during the travel in case of check from the authorities.

Please be informed that all the above procedure need some advance to be carried out, therefore, we kindly ask you to provide us with the necessary documents at the earliest opportunity.

GETTING OFF THE BOAT

The end of the general lockdown decided by the Italian Government to stop the spread and prevent people from getting the virus is confirmed on Monday April 13th but it will be most probably postponed to the beginning of May. That means that so far any outwards, inwards or internal movements have to be justified by a demonstrable reason such as repatriation reasons, working reasons or medical reasons; such reasons will have to be stated into the auto dichiarazione form (please require it to eva@mansuetomarine.it) and showed to the authorities in case of checks. 

We are always at your complete disposal for any questions or clarifications.

We look forward to seeing you all in the Med soon for a sunny 2020 Charter Season!

Warm regards
Yacht Welfare

Some Good News!

Sanremo, 31st March 2020

We have received a press release issued by the French Nautical Federation (FIN). You will find here below for your review an in-house translation.

The press release states that the French government has agreed to postpone the application of the new tax regulation related to charter hire (VAT due on the exact time of navigation in EU waters and the abolition of the 50% lump sum reduction).

This certainly would come as great news to our industry during these difficult times however we are waiting for the official confirmation to be issued from the French government in this regard.

Please find below the translated text from the FIN’s press release:

PRESS RELEASE | 25 March 2020, Paris

Applicable VAT Regime on charter hire: the Federation obtains a postponement of the new measure.

Following constructive contacts with the office of the Minister of the Economy, the FIN informs the professionals in the nautical sector of the suspension of the reform project aimed at modifying the 50% lump sum VAT reduction that applies when navigation outside the territorial waters of the European Union occurs during a charter.

“For several months now, we have been working in close coordination with the Government services on this subject. Until the Covid-19 crisis, we were moving forward on a common position with our Italian counterparts. This work will resume after the health crisis. We have pleaded with the government for the suspension of the measure that should have applied on 1 April. This is a relief today. This decision should be made official in the next few hours,” said Yves Lyon-Caen, President of the FIN

In the light of this the French Finance Minister has cancelled the implementation of the new regulation (see more here) due to the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic.

As the changes made to the conditions for determining the taxable base have been withdrawn, the VAT lump sum reduction (20% on 50% of the charter fee) is still applicable in the case of cruising in international waters (BOI-TVA-CHAMP-20-50-30).

For what is concerned to Italy the UCINA Confindustria Nautica is currently dealing with the Italian Authorities to do take analogous measures and therefore to postpone the application of the new rules in order to keep the old taxation law for all Charters to execute during season 2020 (taxation at 22% on 30% of the agreed Charter Fee).

MYBA 2020 Cancelled (COVID19)

Sanremo, 13th March 2020

MYBA 2020 officially cancelled. Please find below an extract from the Official Communication sent by MYBA Board today and our quick view about chartering on 2020 in the Med.

“ Further to our communiqué dated 5 March regarding the MYBA Charter Show, we would like to inform you that the MYBA Board held a conference call yesterday to further discuss the holding of the MYBA Charter Show in Barcelona in the current environment.  The Covid-19 virus situation has evolved rapidly over the last few days and, unfortunately, developments have not been favourable. The Board therefore finds itself in a Force Majeure situation vis-à-vis its contractual obligations and considers it is best not to proceed in these unprecedented circumstances. This is undoubtedly very disappointing news, however, taking into consideration the information that is currently available and the health of our Members and all Show participants being one of MYBA’s key priorities, it is not possible to ensure the Show is organised in the safe and productive environment that we are recognised for by the superyacht industry. The MYBA Charter Show team will be sending further details to those who have already registered and working to minimise any inconvenience caused by this unfortunate development. Thank you for your patience while we were assessing the situation and we look forward to a great Show in 2021. Kind regards MYBA Board “

Well, let’s take the opportunity to make a quick summary and cast some light on what is happening in Europe and around the Mediterranean coasts. We all know that the situation of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) wreaked havoc on our lives. Right after China, Europe faced its first major outbreak as the number of reported cases in Italy grew from fewer to thousands in just few days. Officials locked down all the Italian Regions after a cluster of cases emerged in several towns located at the very North of Italy (nearby Milan). As a result, schools closed and sporting and cultural events were canceled. France did the same after just few weeks and schools and universities were closed on 9th March. Spain will do the same too starting by 16th March.

So all the EU countries are really dealing with this matter with every effort, conscientiously, strategically and supportively. We are confident that we will get through it very soon. In Italy we have this special figure of speech for situations like this “chi ben comincia, è a metà dell’opera” which the English know as “the first blow is half the battle“.

This is to say that the virus is spreading rapidly and the Mediterranean countries will surely get out of this nightmare before any other country around the world where the virus is starting to spread right now or has not started yet. Actually Italy is already half way and even further!

This should be a reason for all the yachting industry to feel encouraged to come to the Mediterranean for the summer season.

We really look forward to seeing our warm seas and cozy ports plenty of yachts during the summer.

We remain at your disposal for any possible clarification and please keep sending your inquiries to info@yachtwelfare.it