Puerto Williams : Profile

Location

Puerto Willams, Chile's most southern city, is the usual jumping off point for Antartica. It is situated on Navarino Island in the Beagle Channel.

Yachts entering the Beagle Channel area should contact the Chilean Navy on VHF Channel 16. Puerto Williams is a naval base, but yachts are welcomed there. Cruising boats are usually told to proceed directly into the small western basin, close to the airport, where there is a concrete dock. Shallow-drafted boats may come on its inside, or tie up alongside the Micalvi, a former supply ship, now used as a yacht club by the locals.

Officials will visit the boat here, after which the captain must go to the port captain's office to complete formalities. It is essential that those for whom this is the first port of entry into Chile insist on being given the compulsory customs certificate. Those who leave without it will have serious problems when clearing out of Chile.

Yachts should inform the authorities of their intended route while in Chilean waters and, when practical, make a daily report on VHF Ch 16. If leaving for local trips (The Horn and the glaciers), there now seems to be a problem in being issued with an extended zarpe and not just the 10 day only one as was previously the case.

All the foreign yachts entering or leaving Puerto Williams have to pay a tax if coming from or going to a foreign country. Overtime is also charged outside normal working hours. (Monday to Friday 0700 - 1900 and Saturday 0700 - 1300). The charge is 50% more that the standard rate.

Note: A yacht less than 25 tons of TRG must pay tax only when it enters or leaves the country.
A yacht more than 25 tons of TRG must pay each time it enters or leaves a port of Chile, even when it sails in Chilean waters without leaving the country. Lighthouse and beacon fees apply.

The port captain of Puerto William is requiring any yacht whose registration papers state their gross weight is in excess of 50 Tonnes will require the use of a harbour pilot and to use a shipping agent. Fees in and out of the port can exceed $2500 in this case.

last updated December 2010.

Capitania de Puerto
Tel:+56 61 621090, Fax:+56 61 621090, VHF Channel 16
cpwilliams@directemar.cl

Docking

The most pleasant, and safest, berths are at the Club Naval de Yates Micalvi. It is based in a small inlet at the western end of the harbour. There is an anchorage in Seno Lauta, with good holding, but exposed to both easterly and westerly winds. It is free, but requires permission from the Port Captain.

This port can be closed in really bad weather.