Haiti : Profile

Facts

January 12, 2010, Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake. Port au Prince, the capital, was very badly damaged as were many other towns. Port au Prince is currently "out of bounds" for civilian aid at the moment, no boat should go there without prior arrangement.

Haiti, which makes up the western third of the island of Hispaniola, is largely off the cruising track. It is for the well prepared and adventurous cruiser equipped to deal with cruising in areas that do not receive many cruising boats. The ability to speak French fluently is quite important.
Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Most of its nine million people live below the poverty line, with half in abject poverty. The country has been plagued by political violence for most of its history, and the country is prone to natural disasters. In 2008 alone, four tropical storms severely damaged the transportation infrastructure and the agricultural sector.
The presence of a UN stabilisation force is intended to strengthen Haiti's longterm security. Currently however it is advisable to avoid the areas that were affected by the earthquake.
The Island of Ile A Vache is safe and charming. They are well acquainted with cruising boats and it is as good a cruising destination as any in the Caribbean.
Cruising is best done from east to west as particularly during winter the strong trade winds make eastbound passages difficult.
The capital Port-au-Prince lies on the southern end of the island. The Earthquake has destabilized the area and as a result the town and areas within 35 miles of it should be avoided. However, just 35 miles to its west is the Bay of Bandareres, which is beautiful and not a dangerous area.
Beyond Cape Tiburon at Haiti's SW extremity, there are several attractive anchorages with the most scenic surroundings in the Baie des Cayes. Again, it was affected by the earthquake, and at this time it is best that if you clear in you use the hotel at Ile a Vache, Port Morgan, just 5 miles away. All reports are that the town is tranquil; there is no looting or lawlessness present, just some remaining damage.

Security

The British Foreign Office advice is to avoid "all but essential travel to Haiti due to ongoing political instability, the small but growing risk of kidnapping, the Cholera epidemic and a generally poor infrastructure." See the www.fco.gov.uk website for latest information.

There is a similar warning from the US State Department. See http://travel.state.gov/travel

Reports Relating to Security Received by Noonsite in the Last 2 Years

Reports to Consider if Planning a Cruise to Haiti January 2010

The Caribbean Safety and Security Net (safetyandsecuritynet@gmail.com) gather information by anchorage or by island, so sailors can plan their cruising in the Caribbean with an eye to appropriate behaviour and precautions wherever they decide to go. Should you have information about a security incident, as well as contacting Noonsite please also forward details to the Caribbean Safety and Security Net, as theirs is the most comprehensive source of Caribbean security incidents against sailors on the net. Please be sure to include boat name, date of incident and anchorage/port where the incident took place.

Weather

The climate is tropical. It is cooler and drier from December to March, and on the coast, which is cooled by sea breezes. The hurricane season lasts from June to November.

Haiti Weather Forecast.