Male : Profile

Clearance

On arrival the Coastguard should be contacted on Channel 16 (24 hours), who will first ask if the vessel has an agent. If not, the vessel's particulars will be passed on to the Port Authority before the boat is allowed to proceed. Vessels are not allowed to enter Malé between 2300 and 0600 except with special permission from the Coastguard. The Port Authority now insists that all vessels, regardless of size, need to have a pilot, although this is not strictly applied.

In practice it is more likely that an agent will answer the VHF call not the Coastguard or Port Control. It is recommended to contact your prefered agent in advance to avoid confusion. It is almost impossible to effect clearance without using one. A list can be found under General Services

Agency fees for clearing in/out are about US$100, with about another US$20 for Entrance and Port Control fees.

Anchoring in Malé atoll itself is difficult because of depth. A patch with a minimum depth of 50 ft (15 m) is reported at 4°10.40'N 73°29.80'E. If this place is occupied, one must be prepared to anchor nearby in depths of around 150 ft (50 m). It might be possible to arrange in advance with an agent to go directly to the anchorage in the lagoon north of the airport, at Hulhumale; the agent will arrange for the officials to visit you there, but this should be confirmed with the agent before actually going there as reports are that clearance is not always permitted there. You will have to pay for their transport out there so the cost should be ascertained in advance.

As a consequence of an ambitious land reclamation project, the lagoon next to the airport has been dredged to a depth of about 12 metres. The entrance to the lagoon has also been deepened and widened, and is located just north of the end of the airport runway at 04°12.766N, 073°31.754E. The entrance is well marked, although it is not yet showing on the charts. The anchorage is very protected and ferries run regularly to Malé, a trip of about twenty minutes.

The Coastguard must inspect the yacht and provide clearance before any of the other officials. No one must go ashore until clearance is completed. Customs, Immigration and health will board during office hours to carry out the rest of the clearance. On departure, one should first clear Immigration, then the Port Authority and finally Customs. This can take some time.

Alliance Management Services Co Pvt (AMSCO)
03-01 Filaa Building, Koli Umaru Maniku Goalhi, Male' Maldives
Tel:+960 333 8788, Mobile: +960 778 6444, Fax:+960 333 8688, VHF Channel 16, 67
amsco@dhivehinet.net.mv
A highly recommended Yacht agent. They can also can organise tours and provide other services to visiting yachts, supply bunker, fresh water, provisions. They also have a useful contact in Addu for clearing out.

Oceanwide International Pvt Ltd
Gold Hill, Chandhanee Magu, Male
Tel:960 333 5535, Fax:960 334 0672

Docking

Hulhumale is a very safe anchorage with excellent holding though a fair amount of aircraft and construction noise. A good base for going into town on a regular ferry.

Airport Anchorage
Hulhumale, North Male Atoll
The entrance channel is dredged to 6m. The depths in the lagoon range from 6m to 15m. The SE corner is the shallowest and most protected. Fuel can be arranged by visiting the fuel barge moored here. The ferry to the town runs every half hour, takes about 20 minutes and costs 50 cents AU. Anchorage is free for the first 2 weeks.

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