Cochin (Kochi) : Profile

Location

This is a modern all-weather port, and a rapidly growing maritime gateway to peninsular India. The city offers a perfect blend of the traditional and the modern. It is a major tourist destination encompassing tranquil backwaters, heritage and historical sites, antique shops, spice trade centres etc.

Clearance

Yachts must anchor for clearance off the steamer point on the north tip of Willingdon Island, opposite the two jetties of the port office and the Malabar Hotel in front of the Port Trust Building.

One must not land before clearing Customs, who will come out in a launch. The captain can then go ashore and clear at the port office (open 1000-1700), where port dues must be paid.

The Customs and Immigration offices must be visited next. Customs will retain the ship's papers until departure and issue a receipt. The Immigration office is near the railway terminus and landing passes may be issued by them, or, as in 2007, only the passports stamped.

After clearance, one may then go to the yacht anchorage south of Bolghatty Island, off the Bolghatty Hotel. Boats drawing more than 6 ft (2 m) should wait for high tide as the channel is shallow in places. Written permission from the Port Captain must be obtained if one moves to another area.

With prior warning, yachts planning to call at Kondo Syokai for repair, can call on them for assistance with clearing.

You can leave your boat in Cochin and travel inland in India. If you want to leave the boat there and travel out of the country, you would need special permission from the authorities in Cochin. The boat must have a guard onboard or be stored in a recognised boatyard/workshop. Contact: Deputy Conservator's Office, Cochin, Tel: 04 84 666871, Fax: 04 84 668163.

Last updated May 2009.

Nasar
Boat no. 72 (BIS NANI), Yellow boat with a green shade on top
Tel:+91 989 516 4090
A very helpful agent for transport to the various offical offices and obtaining or arranging other services. Cruisers have reported that other boatmen try to impersonate Nasar.

Docking

The anchorage at Bolgatty hotel is free and quiet and good for an extended stay. Good quality fresh water is available at a low cost. They also welcome yachties to use their facilities, including a nice bar, restaurant and internet facility.

From here by dinghy you can visit Ernakulum, the modern site of Cochin. Ferries to fort Cochin run daily as well as ferries to Willingdon Island.

The Taj Malabar hotel is welcoming to cruisers who can use their facilities.

In Cochin itself is a small boatyard run by John Crabtree with limited dockage for yachts. Several cruisers have recommended this facility (see reports adjacent).

Last updated February 2010.

Kondo Syokai Marine/Malabar Yacht Club
Mattancherry, on the Fort Cochin peninsula., Across from the quarantine anchorage
Tel:Tel:+91 484 222 8389 / Mob: +91 984 739 7735, Fax:+91 484 222 8389
john@kondosyokai.com
John Crabtree runs this small boatyard with hauling out service for 15-20 tons (see report "Hauling Out in Cochin" - 30 June 2008). Also limited dockage space with electricity and well water (not for drinking). Live in watchman. John and partner Fumio are reported to be very welcoming and helpful. If you are lucky, they may have a place for you at their secure dock. Located in the centre of the tourist district.

Port Authority
Port Control Room, Cochin Port Trust, Indira Gandhi Road, Eillingdo Isalnd
Tel:+91 484 266 7105, VHF Channel 16

Yacht Clubs

Kerala Yachting Association
D 3103 JNI Stadium, Kaloor., Cochin 682 017, India
Tel:+91-484 3233933, Fax:+91-484-3043472
www.keralayachting.com, info@keralayachting.com
A useful contact for information on yachting services. Kerala Yachting Association D 3103 JNI Stadium, Kaloor Cochin 682 017, India

Kondo Syokai Marine/Malabar Yacht Club [see above]

Related Reports

Cochin - Berthing Options (18 Feb 2010)

Stopping in Mumbai (10 Feb 2010)

Docking Facilities in Cochin (09 Jun 2009)

Notes for the Andaman Islands (03 May 2009)

Marinas are Needed in India (27 Jan 2009)

Facilities for Yachts in Panjim (Goa) (30 Nov 2008)

Cochin, India - VOR Stopover December 2008 (06 Nov 2008)

India to Red Sea Transit (29 Aug 2008)

Hauling Out in Cochin, India (30 Jun 2008)

Comments on Docking in Panjim, Goa (30 Jun 2008)

New Marinas for India (27 Jun 2008)

East Africa to the Mediterranean (15 May 2008)

Eastwards Across the Andaman Sea (14 May 2008)

Thailand to Turkey 2007 Part One – Thailand to Massawa in Eritrea (19 Nov 2007)

Cochin or Galle? Cruising Report (04 Oct 2007)

Book Review: Andaman Sea Pilot (19 Jul 2007)

Visit To Panjim, Goa (05 Apr 2006)

Andaman Rally Postponed Until 2007 (11 Oct 2005)

Andaman Islands: Documents (16 Apr 2003)

New Fees in Andamans (19 Oct 2002)

Andaman Islands Cruising (04 Apr 2001)

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