MAXIMUM ALLOWED SPEED IN THE BOKA BAY

While navigating through Montenegro’s internal waters, a yacht is obliged to proceed at a safe speed so as not to endanger and harm other vessels at sea.

Boka Bay (Bay of Kotor) is the popular nautical destination in Montenegro. The sea traffic, especially during the summer season is busy. Therefore, it is important to obey speed limitations.

The speed of navigation in the entire Bay of Boka is limited.

The speed limit for vessels over 24 m

The safe speed limit within Boka Bay shall not exceed 10 knots, and while in the Strait of Kumbor, the Strait of Verige maximum speed is 6 knots.

These speed limits are mandatory for all vessels longer at 24 m: super yachts, mega yachts, yachts, sail yachts, catamarans, trimarans, cruisers, etc.

The speed limit for yachts up to 24 m

For vessels with a length less than 24 meters, the maximum speed in the Bay of Boka is 14 knots, and while in Kumbor Strait (channel) and the Strait of Verige speed limit is 10 knots.

The speed limit for vessels in the Bay of Kotor 

⛵ Speed in the Strait of Kumbor is restricted between coordinates:

1) 42˚26,1’N 018˚36,6’E

2) 42˚25,47’N 018˚36,26’E

3) 42˚25,85’N 018˚34,63’E

4) 42˚26,47’N 018˚35,01’E

⛵ Speed in the Strait of Verige is restricted between coordinates:

1) 42˚28,65’N 018˚41,41’E

2) 42˚28,77’N 018˚41,11’E

3) 42˚27,65’N 018˚40,15’E

4) 42˚27,46’N 018˚41,02’E

Useful information for yacht crew and yacht owners on arrival at Montenegro

If you decided to visit Montenegro this summer, this information will help you to enter Montenegro territorial waters and sail through safely.

1. Mandatory check-in system

Maritime Safety Department of Montenegro has introduced a mandatory check-in system for all vessels entering and leaving the Vessel Traffic System-VTS (42°01'N 18°54'E) responsibility of 12 nautical miles or reporting to Montenegrin VTS in Dobra Voda (VHF: Ch 11 87).

When the vessel in the area of international navigation intends to sail into the VTS area, it is necessary to prepare the following information: name of the vessel, international call sign, position, speed, destination and estimated time of arrival (ETA) 15 minutes in advance and at the latest when the vessel enters the area.

2.Pilotage

If you are entering one of the Montenegro marinas (Marina Bar, Marina Porto Montenegro - Tivat, Marina Kotor, Port of Zelenika) and your vessel is 1000 BT or more, pilotage is mandatory. Pilots are 24/7 at your disposal. It is necessary to request pilotage 24 hours prior the arrival to the marina and you do that via the radio station.VHF channels: 16/17 Ch for Boka Bay, and 12 Ch for Port of Bar. 

The exception is that they are exempt pilotage captains who are more than five times the same ship sailed to the same port or marina.

3.Necessary documents

After entering the nearest port or marina, and after doing border control procedures, it is necessary to obtain vignette. In order for the Harbour Office or its branches to be able to issue a vignette (proof of eligibility for the navigation of a foreign ship or yacht in the territorial waters of Montenegro) the following proof must be submitted:

- a request for obtaining a vignette,

- the certificate of registration of the vessel,

- certificate of the ability of the person operating the boat or yacht (Master’s/Skipper’s-Certificate, GMDSS certificates, the certificates of the rest of the crew)

- the insurance policy against liability for damage caused to third parties, for the minimum of € 800,000.00.

- proof of ownership or a notarized power of attorney to manage the yacht,

- proof of payment of fees for the use of navigational safety and administrative fee.

If you do not have necessary documents your request for obtaining vignette will be denied, and you will have to live Montenegro territorial waters in time frame decided by Harbor Masters Office or Harbor Branch Office.

4. Tourist tax 

Each foreign vessel (ship or yacht with built in beds that are used for vacation, sports, recreation, leisure, cruising...), who happens to be in the territorial waters of Montenegro is obliged to pay the tax. Residence tax for vessels on the period of their stay in Montenegro and the length of the vessel. 

Residence tax may be taken out for a period of 7, 15, 30, 90 days and for a period of one year, depending on the period for which the vignettes are taken. The minimum amount of the fee is 5 euros, maximum 120 euros.

5. Speed limit

When you are entering Boka Bay it is necessary that you are aware of the speed limit for this area. For all vessels sailing Boka Bay speed limit is 10 knots, and while in Kumbor strait (channel) and the strait of Verige speed limit is 6 knots. These speed limits are mandatory for all vessels: cruisers, mega yachts, yachts, speed boats, boats, ski-jets, sail boats, catamarans, trimarans, etc.

6. VHF Channels

Bar – 12 Ch

Budva - 08 Ch

Porto Montenegro - 71 Ch

Kotor - 16, 17, 68 Ch

Zelenika - 16, 17 Ch

If you need any additional information, or you need an agent during your stay in Montenegro you can contact Yacht Agent Montenegro by contact form, or by phone +382 67 55 22 87, available 24/7.

Speed limit for all vessels sailing in Boka Bay

Porto Montenegro, Luštica Bay and Portonovi are new build marinas in Montenegro and indicators of how much we are focused on developing yachting industry in last several years. Evident increase in number of yachts and cruisers sailing into Montenegro territorial waters shows rising popularity of Montenegro as European touristic destination. 

Boka Bay is the most popular sailing destination in Montenegro. With a significant growth in traffic during summer season, we also have growth in security measurements. Vessels are controlled on daily basses by Coast Guard and Harbor Master Office representatives.

If you are planning to visit Boka Bay marinas (Porto Montenegro-Tivat, Marina Kotor, Marina Risan, Port Zelenika, Marina Herceg Novi) it is mandatory to have vignette (permit for sailing), and you have to pay attention to the speed limit for sailing Boka Bay.

Vignette for foreign vessels is necessary to obtain in first Harbor Masters Office or Branch Offices after you enter Montenegro territorial waters. Vignette is necessary to be on display. The easiest way to obtain a vignette is to contact Yacht Agent Montenegro. 

For all vessels sailing Boka Bay speed limit is 10 knots, and while in Kumbor strait (channel) and the strait of Verige speed limit is 6 knots. These speed limits are mandatory for all vessels: cruisers, mega yachts, yachts, speed boats, boats, ski-jets, sail boats, catamarans, trimarans, etc.

Yours truly,

Yacht Agent Montenegro

Speed limit navigation Boka Bay - Kotor, Tivat, Risan, Herceg Novi, Zelenika

Increasing interest in Montenegro as a yachting destination, as well as the record traffic in the Boka of Bay (port of Kotor, Porto Montenegro Tivat, Zelenika port) and the rest of the Montenegrin coast by a large number of yachts, cruise ships and recreational boats caused the increase in maritime traffic congestion.

In order to increase safety of navigation, representatives of Port Authorities and Harbor Patrol apply enhanced checks for security of yachts and boats in the summer period.

Besides controlling the possession permits for the use of maritime routes - Vignette for foreign yachts and boats, they also have an interest in the presence of a trained skipper - captain and crew along the entire Montenegrin coast. There is also an increased control of speed of navigation in Kotor, Risan, Tivat and Herceg Novi.

An important fact is that the maximum permitted speed of navigation in the entire Boka Bay (bay of Kotor, bay of Risan, bay of Tivat and bay of Herceg Novi) is 10 knots (10 kn).

In Kumbor strait (channel) and the strait of Verige maximum speed of navigation is 6 knots (6 kn).

Kumbor strait - channel

Strait of Verige - channel

The above restrictions apply to all participants in maritime transport without exception, namely: passenger ships, yachts, mega yachts, boats, jet skis, boats, sailboats, catamarans, trimarans, cargo ships and any other vessels types.

To avoid unnecessary checks and penalties regulated by the Law representatives of Port Authorities of Kotor and the Harbour Patrol, all participants in maritime traffic are required to follow the regulations regarding the speed limits in navigation the Bay of Boka.

We wish you a pleasant stay and a nice time in the Bay of Boka!

Yacht Agent Montenegro team.