The weather forecasts were suggesting we were going to have some strong evening winds and we did not want to be in Kiparissa or Katakolon on the mainland (Peloponnese) with a strong north westerly blowing even though both harbours are fine and the anchorages both have good holding. In addition we have been at anchor now for 10 days and need to fill up with water and although we have not used both diesel tanks it is always good to fill up when we can. It gives us peace of mind, especially as in the Ionian where we are headed off to next there is a lot of motoring done in the mornings before the afternoon and early evening winds pick up.

We had read on the various online cruising sites we use that in Zakinthos to go along the harbour wall you will be waved in and shown where to go and then have to pay €20 for the privilege. As it is also a Port of Entry there is a fee to pay for the Dockers' Union to the Port Authority.

As there are only two of us on board we like to make sure we do have help coming into a new harbour wall in the Med or if it is windy as you have to do quite a few things to let out the bow anchor, come in backwards in a straight line and secure to the harbour wall with the two stern lines and then tighten up with the anchor at the bow to make sure we are secure. We have a routine but it is certainly easier if there is someone to assist on the dock and you have three on board.

We therefore called a head of time to reserve a space on the harbour wall with electricity and water. Denis and Alex at Zatynthos Yachting Club were very responsive and confirmed we could have 2 nights on the harbour wall with water and electricity. They told us to call up on VHF Ch. 71 once we had entered the large harbour.

Alex spotted us and was ready and waiting to assist us in. We were going to be at the end of the yachts next to the two pleasure boats and Alex made sure we dropped the anchor in just the right place so we would not get tangled up in the large chains and anchors securing their boats to the sea bed and harbour wall. Alex then came on board, sorted out our paper work for the Port and explained exactly how the charges were made up.

€20 - Dockers' Union fee - one time however long you stay

€15 per night for his assistance in mooring after a €5 discount for CA members (we did not ask he offered on seeing our CA burgee flying)

€20 per stay fixed price for water and electricity. So for one night it was expensive up as we stayed 3 nights in the end the cost was very reasonable. We washed Njord down twice, filled our water tanks twice and washed our dinghy several times as we were trying to find a water leak.

Alex organised the diesel truck promptly and was available to help us release our lines upon departure. All in all we thought very good value.

Njord was berthed opposite one of the churches along the water front in Zakinthos as shown here.

We were very pleased with the assistance from YCZ.

yachtingclubzakynthos.gr
+ 30 699 377 9646
info@yachtingclubzakynthos.gr