Israeli Arrival Form

[multihullsailor6]

I am planning to sail to Israel in July or August. As mentioned on Noonsite, I requested the Yacht-IMOT pre-arrival form from the Israeli Navy and was today informed that this is for Israeli flagged boats and an all-Israeli crew.

Does anyone have an update on the situation and know which pre-arrival form is to be requested from whom?

Thanks for any input.

[meirriba]

Originally Posted by multihullsailor6

I am planning to sail to Israel in July or August. As mentioned on Noonsite, I requested the Yacht-IMOT pre-arrival form from the Israeli Navy and was today informed that this is for Israeli flagged boats and an all-Israeli crew.

Does anyone have an update on the situation and know which pre-arrival form is to be requested from whom?

Thanks for any input.

Foreign flagged vessel will be hailed by the Israeli navy some distance from shore (may be around 30NM offshore).
The will ask a bunch of questions, basically the same questions that are on the form.
You will need to be ready with the answers and after the interrogation the will let you go on. You may continue sailing during the VHF conversation.
Prepare the data of your boat:
Dimensions, type, colour, registration port and numbers.
Data of crew: names, birth dates, passports (nationality, passp. number).
Where did you come from and when you have left this port.
Do you have weapons on board.
Basically this is it.

Later, navy boat may come and look at you, call you on the VHF and (very politely) validate again some of the data. If everything matches, they will send you on.

[multihullsailor6]

Thank you Mark. Can you please advise / confirm that for foreign-flagged boats no pre-arrival form needs to be sent to the Israeli Navy in advance (as Noonsite mentions).

[meirriba]

Originally Posted by multihullsailor6

Thank you Mark. Can you please advise / confirm that for foreign-flagged boats no pre-arrival form needs to be sent to the Israeli Navy in advance (as Noonsite mentions).

This is correct.
The form is only for Israeli flagged vessels, who, if submit the form, has then faster/shorter procedure of interrogation at sea.

[multihullsailor6]

Hi Mark,

Thanks again.

A further question: Is coastal cruising in Israeli waters allowed nowadays?
The only cruising guide covering Israel I know of is Imray's Red Sea Pilot book by Morgan and Davies which dates back to 2002 and then apparently coastal cruising was not allowed. I was hoping I could discover all of Israel's yacht ports with my catamaran.

[yeloya]

Originally Posted by multihullsailor6

Hi Mark,

Thanks again.

A further question: Is coastal cruising in Israeli waters allowed nowadays?
The only cruising guide covering Israel I know of is Imray's Red Sea Pilot book by Morgan and Davies which dates back to 2002 and then apparently coastal cruising was not allowed. I was hoping I could discover all of Israel's yacht ports with my catamaran.

I don't know if this allowed or not but if there was a cruising guide for Israel, it is possibly the thinnist book.. I made the entire cost (by car..) and there is basically couple of places worth visiting. Nowadays the area is more risky because of Syrian war + the conflict between Turkey, Israel and Cyprus concerning the natural gas activities in the south of Cyprus and west of Israeli waters.
Moreover, once you are there you cannot cut to Turkish coast because, a) you cannot pass on Syrian waters b) this part of Turkey (east of Silike/Anamur)is absolutely not interesting at all for cruisers.. That means you will have to come back to Cyprus.. This latter (both Greek or Turkish part) is not interesting either..

But after all, it's yr call..

Cheers

Yeloya

[meirriba]

Originally Posted by multihullsailor6

Hi Mark,

Thanks again.

A further question: Is coastal cruising in Israeli waters allowed nowadays?
The only cruising guide covering Israel I know of is Imray's Red Sea Pilot book by Morgan and Davies which dates back to 2002 and then apparently coastal cruising was not allowed. I was hoping I could discover all of Israel's yacht ports with my catamaran.

Basically all Yeloya has written is correct.
Anyway cruising along the coast is allowed and was so in 2002.
The navy may hail you on VHF as you sail and just validate who you are. But nothing more.
Israeli coast is rather dull - no bays or prominent natural beauties.
Five marinas from N to S. - Shavit/Hakishon in Haifa.
Herzlia
Tel-Aviv
Ashdod
Ashqelon
More S you approach Gaza, not recommended😄

[meirriba]

One thing more though - it is nor risky!
Israeli and NATO navies control the area and Israeli waters and Cyprus waters are safe in my opinion.

[yeloya]

Well, safety has a different meaning for everyone..Having the Russian, Turkish, NATO navy patrolling in the area in addition to Israeli coast guard can be considered the safest waters of all..
Depends how you see it


Cheers


Yeloya