A law introduced in Turkey earlier this year is forcing superyacht owners and captains out of the country for three months at a time.

The law — which came into effect on February 1 — means that foreigners without a resident permit can only stay in the country for up to 90 days at a time, and can't return for at least another 90 days.

Reports from Turkey suggest that up to 1,000 foreign yachts have left the country since the law came into force.

Previous regulation allowed foreigners to stay in Turkey without a resident permit for up to 90 days — but they could return days later.

The Turkish government claims that the new rules are necessary to stamp out foreigners using a loop-hole to work in the country illegally.



Superyacht Business / Bahar Ozturk, 14 March 2012