Syria is under-appreciated as a cruising venue, despite having friendly people and a wealth of historic sites and scenery. Admittedly, there are some slight logistical and security issues, but surely there are cruisers manly and madly enough to take on a challenge.
Syria, Noonsite:
The current conflict in the country does not make this an advisable place to visit a present.
... Lattakia is Syria's main port and as its officials are used to dealing with foreign vessels, this is the best port to enter. (Call Lattakia Radio). Call at the 12 mile limit and again at 6 miles off. Approach the port at 90 degrees to the coast.
Since there are specific rules concerning the distance a yacht must stay off the Syrian coast and a yacht's approach to Lattakia Harbour, any yacht wanting to visit there on their own should fax ahead for the latest procedures to the Syrian Yacht Club....
It might also be necessary to produce a signed list of your last 5 ports of call and your logbook may be inspected....
from comments on Noonsite by Val Ellis, before the "troubles":
<<All ships from supertankers to kayaks have to approach Lattakia from the reporting point Sierra Charlie, twelve miles true west of the Syrian coast. And no cutting off that corner, as Syrian Navy patrol boats prowl up and down the corridor with a $4,000 fine to hand. This is the first sign of the official paranoia with which the Syrian government treats foreigners, and of which more later....
Even single entry visas are only valid for fifteen days, and this brings us back to the official paranoia about visitors..... Why then the official reticence? This is not the place to discuss our host's politics, but let's simply say a more striking example of a government not representing the people would be hard to find....
The berthing itself is not too expensive at around €20/night for a 12m yacht, with 20% discount available to various cruising clubs. The damage is done by all the extras: the Immigration entry and exit charges, 'Formalities', 'Expenses', and 'Tonnage' all appear on the charge sheet, so that a week for a 12m yacht will cost somewhere around €500....
Unfortunately the official paranoia makes it is impossible to cruise down the 110 mile coast to Lebanon if one is heading south; instead one has to exit by SC too, turn south and stay more than 12nm offshore. It's shame for yachtsmen and Syrians alike, as it would make a most fascinating cruising ground for the former and provide more opportunities for the enterprising latter.>>
US Dept. of State:
<<
No part of Syria should be considered immune from violence, and the potential exists throughout the country for hostile acts, including kidnappings and the use of chemical warfare against civilian populations. Indiscriminate shelling and aerial bombardment, including of densely populated urban areas across the country, have significantly increased the risk of death or serious injury. The destruction of infrastructure, housing, medical facilities, schools, power and water utilities has also exacerbated hardships inside the country.
There is also a threat from terrorism, including groups like the al-Qaida in Iraq (AQI) affiliated al-Nusrah Front as well as other extremist groups. Tactics for these groups include the use of suicide bombers, kidnapping, use of small and heavy arms, and improvised explosive devices in major city centers, including Damascus, Aleppo, Hamah, Dara, Homs, Idlib, and Dayr al-Zawr. Public places, such as government buildings, shopping areas, and open spaces, have been targeted.
Communications in Syria are difficult as phone and internet connections have become increasingly unreliable. The Department of State has received reports that U.S. citizens are experiencing difficulty and facing dangers traveling within the country and when trying to leave Syria via land borders, given the diminishing availability of commercial air travel out of Syria as fierce clashes between pro-government and opposition forces continue in the vicinity of the Damascus and Aleppo airports. Land border checkpoints held by opposition forces should not be considered safe, as they are targeted by regime attacks and some armed groups have sought to fund themselves through kidnap for ransom. Border areas are frequent targets of shelling and other armed conflict and clogged by internally-displaced refugees. Errant attacks will occasionally hit border towns just outside the borders as well.
>>
"Other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?"
What contributions could you make to "The Cruising Guide to Hell"?
in the spirit of Dr. Johnson's, ""He who goes to sea for pleasure would go to hell to pass the time!"
