May 28, 2018 - Are you coming to Montenegro by sea? And you’re not a passenger on the only regular international maritime line Bari-Bar? We have a few useful tips we think will help you on your next boat journey in Montenegro.
Along of 293 km of the Montenegrin coast, there are five ports open for international traffic: Bar, Budva, Zelenika, Tivat, and Kotor. At each port, you can expect a standard procedure at the state border, concerning passport and customs control. However, to obtain a vignette or authorization for free traffic in Montenegrin territorial waters at the port facilities of the port of Kotor and Bar, the following documentation must be provided: Certificate on the registration of the vessel, Certificate of competence of the person managing the vessel (must be internationally recognized, the limitations must be consistent with the characteristics of the vessel), Power of Attorney (if the skipper is not the owner of the vessel), Radio operator authorization, Third party liability insurance, and Crew and Passenger list.
The vignette is paid to the competent Harbor Master office, and the price depends on the length and type of vessel. They are categorized as: boat (up to 7m), motor yacht, sailboat, catamaran, and yacht over 24 m. A sailing boat pays the lowest price, while yachts over 24 m see a special vignette price. All persons wishing to receive a vignette for their vessels can be informed about the cost and apply to the site of the port captain at www.luckakapetanija.me, which significantly shortens the vignette procedures, as the Harbor Master's officers only check the documents listed in the application when clients arrive in their premises, and release the vignette. All Harbor Master’s offices work from 7 am to 7 pm.
Of course, all the necessary information and assistance can be obtained via the Radio Channel 16, which is used for communication with the port authorities.
An important tip if you are sailing through Boka Bay, is the provision of the Navigation Safety Act, which restricts the cruise speed to 10 knots, while in the Kumbor and Verige straits, the rate of navigation is limited to 6 knots.
In the territory of Tivat this summer, another maritime border crossing will be established, opening within the Luštica Bay complex. The official start of work is scheduled for August 11th.
