Very briefly, the majority of costs incurred by the Spanish Maritime Safety and Rescue Agency (Sociedad de Salvamento y Seguridad Marítima (SASEMAR)) were being found to be covered by the General State Budget rather than maritime entities — i.e. those enjoying the very services provided. Redressing the balance then, those sailing in Spanish waters are then requested to make a contribution to these services called the navigational assistance rates or the “lighthouse tax”.
There is a little inconsistency in where the law is applied, but all ports and marinas under the control of the Port Authorities (essentially those in basins shared by commercial ports: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas, Arrecife, San Sebastian (La Gomera), Santa Cruz de La Palma, etc) are strictly obliged to charge these additional rates. Non port authority-run marinas are still a grey area.
Visiting yachts
It is not all bad news however; Calero Marinas has worked hard to help with a sector-driven lobby to prevent transient visitors from suffering what is universally considered to be an unfair application of the Navigational Assistance rates where in previous years, an entire year’s worth of rates could be charged for what amounted to only a few days’ visit. As a consequence, visiting yachts from aboard (without a home port in Spain) are now charged a daily rate. The calculation is pretty convoluted but at the time of writing, the daily rate for a sailing (or motor) yacht with 13m LOA and 4m beam is about 1.30€. Importantly, sailing boats of 12m LOA or less are exempt.
Home port
If a yacht is based in a Spanish port (also considered to be the case after 6 months’ occupancy), things are a little different and the yacht will be expected to demonstrate payment of the full year’s rates.
Recreational vessel rates
This is also charged by day (i.e. a single night’s berthing corresponds to two days’-worth of rates) and calculated according to a yacht’s m² – or LOA x Beam (m).
As a guideline, for a yacht of 13m LOA x 4m beam) this corresponds to a daily rate of 2.52€
Sailing boats <12m LOA and motor boats<9m are favoured, paying a lesser rate.
After 6 months, “home port” status is achieved, affording a lower daily rate.
Current rates are as follows:
Visitors:
- Sail ≥12m / Motor ≥ 9m 0.0484 € /m²/day
- Sail < 12m / Motor < 9m 0.0186 € /m²/day
Home port (after 6 months’ occupancy)
- Sail ≥12m / Motor ≥ 9m 0.0397 € /m²/day
- Sail < 12m / Motor < 9m 0.0124 € /m²/day
N.B.:
- LOA (length over all) includes bowsprits, diving platforms, etc.
- IGIC, or Canarian VAT is applicable to all services (but NOT to navigational assistance or recreational vessel rates) at 7%
CAN WE HELP?
If you are feeling more than a little flummoxed by so many numbers and could do with a little assistance, please contact us by sending an email or by phone. Information on boatyard rates can be found in the Shipyard – Hoisting and Hard Standing section of this website.
Courtesy of caleromarinas.com and noonsite.com
