Ushuaia : Profile

Location

Ushuaia (pronounced [u'swaia]) is sometimes considered to be the southernmost city in the world. It is located in a wide bay on the southern coast of the island of Tierra del Fuego, guarded on the north by the Martial mountain range and on the south by the Beagle Channel. Ushuaia is surrounded by Magellanic subpolar forests that give the landscape a magnificent greenness.

Clearance

Port control should be contacted on Channel 16 as one enters the harbour. An immigration official will be sent to visit the boat. For customs it is necessary to visit the main office in the commercial harbour. Fees only apply for clearance out of hours or at weekends. A yacht may be fined for not clearing in immediately.

Any yacht whose registration papers state their gross weight is in excess of 50 Tonnes is required to use a harbour pilot and also a shipping agent. This can be expensive.

Those who intend to sail north through the Beagle Channel must also clear in and out with the Chilean Navy at Puerto Williams, if continuing into Chilean waters. Those who need Chilean visas can obtain them at the Chilean consulate in Ushuaia, situated on the corner of Calle Maipu and Kuanip.

For crusing the Beagle Channel as far as Staten Island, no zarpe is required but the Prefectura must be notified before you leave of the details of your trip.

Prefectura Naval Argentinian Coast Guard, Tel. +54 (2901)435805.

Customs in Ushuaia are reported to be erratic with their charging of fines/taxes. However, they currently state:

No vessel may be left unattended in Argentine waters without the written application to, and consent of, the local customs authority.

A power of attorney must be granted to a resident living within a certain radius from the boat and a notarized letter produced to communicate this information to Customs and Coast Guard. The cost of this is about $100. The penalty for infringement is 1% of the value of the vessel.

No vessel may breach the terms of their conditions of entry into the country by using their boats for commercial activities while in Argentina.

If a yacht is deemed to be chartering in Argentina waters by Customs, they are liable to a fine of 30% of the value of the vessel. Remember, even if you make a voyage in Argentina waters with people paying costs aboard, you could then be construed to be a charter vessel.

Further Possible Fines:-
The local Customs have come up with all sorts of ways one could be considered to be breaking the rules. This includes but is not limited to:

Modifying or repairing the boat, purchasing goods or equipment locally, leaving the vessel and traveling overland, even purchasing fuel can be considered an infraction without going through the laborious process of completing paperwork. Any infraction could lead to boat arrest and a spot fine of 1%.

Before Sailing to Argentina, check with the Argentine consulate with regards to what one needs to do with regard to exit and entry papers, leaving the boat, hauling your vessel, having work done on your vessel, or anything that may create a potential problem with Customs. If you can get this in writing, even better.

See reports adjacent for the latest on the current situation in Ushuaia.

In its latest dispute with the U.K. (this time over oil drilling exploration), any yacht planning to arrive or depart from Ushuaia may have to sign an undertaking not to visit the Falkland Islands.

Permits for the Falklands, South Georgia and South Orkneys

Recently, Argentina has reasserted their claim to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. They have also always claimed a section of the Antarctica Peninsula as part of their territorial waters. All vessels intending to sail to or from the Falklands, South Georgia and South Orkneys must apply for and obtain permission from the Argentine government or they will be fined $7000USD upon arrival in Argentina, or risk impoundment of vessel.
All vessels must apply, cruisers or charter vessels.
Lastest advice from cruisers in the area is to think twice if you want to deal with all the red tape and hassle, before visting the Falklands.

Updated October 2011.

Docking

It must be emphasized that Ushuaia is a very windy and insecure place to have a yacht.

Visiting boats usually moor at the ASAFyN dock (Water Sports Association) on the east side of the harbour. However the old Club Nautico on the other side of the bay closer to town, is now operating again with a new jetty and rates are reported to be a great deal cheaper than those at ASAFyN.

The AFASyN wharf (60 metres) was completely repaired in 2009 and raised 50 cms to improve functionality during high tides. However, it is necessary for boats to raft up and in high winds this causes problems.

There are mooring buoys available but they may be unreliable.

Updated October 2011.

Club AFASyN
Pasaje Fique s/n, 9410 Ushuaia
Tel:+54 2901 437 842/435 805, Fax:+54 2901 443 404, VHF Channel 16 (0900 to 2100)
http://www.afasyn.org.ar, clubafasyn@speedy.com.ar
Opening Hours: 1500-1700 (Mon-Fri), 1300-1600 Saturdays.
This club has become the real yacht club of Ushuaia and has a lively social life. There is power and water on the dock, toilets, hot showers, laundry, telephone, WiFi, 24hr security and a general delivery post service. There is also a small workshop for use by visitors (for a fee) and members. In addition to the dock, there are mooring buoys which may be available. The slipway can haul boats out up to 20 tons and part of the dock nearest the shore is shallow enough to allow drying out between tides.

Club Nautico
Re-opened September 2011
Tel:+54 9 2901 468371
This is now run by a very friendly chap called Ceasar (Uka Jee) from Easter Island, who is doing his utmost to make cruisers feel at home. 100ARP for visitors per month, then Mooring: length x width x 10ARP / jetty, daily, visitor: length x width x 1,10ARP (free Wifi etc.). anchoring free.