A yacht sailing under a Russian flag, berthed in the Motril marina will soon set off for the Black Sea following instructions from the Central Government.

About a week ago Madrid sent out a request to the Marina del Esta and Motril Port to be informed of any Russian ships over 24 metres in length using their facilities. This followed a suggestion made by Spain before the European Union to limit or close ports to Russian shipping.

One Russian yacht owner has been using the Motril marina and has decided to return home owing to the situation in Ukraine. He has had difficulties using his bankcards here and accessing his Spanish bank account. He has also had problems with his visa

Even without taking into account the Central Government’s interest in Russian ships in its ports and marinas, he, like others, will weigh anchor and leave European waters just in case his yacht is embargoed if relations between the EU and Russia deteriorate further.

(News: Motril, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)