Cape Town (Table Bay) : Profile

Clearance

Any yacht entering the port must listen out on VHF channel 14 and proceed to the small craft basic at the Royal Cape Yacht Club.

This Club deals with all yacht movement within Table Bay Harbour, so they must be contacted first on VHF Channel 16 (tel 021 421 1354 or fax 021 421 6028), and not the port authority. The movement of shipping around the harbour is indicated by lights on the port captain's office, red (Ben Schoeman Dock), green (Duncan Dock) and orange (Victoria Basin). A flashing light signifies a ship is entering port and a steady light that one is leaving. Yachts should keep to starboard when entering the harbour. The yacht basin and yacht club are located at the SE end of Duncan Dock.

Berths are also available at the V&A Waterfront Marina, nearer the city centre at the eastern end of the port. If booked in at the V&A, then permission must be obtained from Port Control on VHF channel 14 before entering the marina.

The Royal Cape Yacht Club will help with formalities and arrival procedure. On arrival the captain must report to the yacht club, complete a maritime and health form, and then clear with Customs and Immigration on the first and fifth floor in the "old state warehouse". Note that Immigration requires that you bring your whole crew. Both Customs and Immigration are open 24 hrs/day.

On departure one must clear first with the yacht club (or marina) in order to get clearance certificates for "Port Net", Immigration and Customs, who must be visited in that order. After clearance, one must leave within 48 hours.

Clearance/Immigration
Tel:+27(0)21 211006

Immigration and Customs
State Warehouse on the Waterfront
Customs Control is on first floor and Immigration is on the third. Take ships papers, passports for all the crew and clearance papers from the last port.

Docking

In Cape Town you currently have the choice between the Royal Cape Yacht Club in the south-eastern part of the commercial harbour or the marina in the "Waterfront", also called V&A, Cape Town's favourite tourist centre on the eastern end of the port.

The Yacht Club caters still for most of the visiting yachts. A professionally managed, large marina with almost all facilities, but 5 minutes away from the city and the V&A by car. It also is squeezed in between the industrial parts of the commercial harbour.

The V&A can also be noisy with the motorway nearby, but is very close to a large number of shops, bars, cinemas, the aquarium and much more. It is necessary to call the bridge control to arrange access into the marina.

The harbour is not very clean and the winds often blow at 40 to 50kn.

Entry - small craft are reminded not to impede commercial vessels entering or leaving this busy port. The port signals displayed on the Port Control Building indicate the basin operating and the action taking place. Craft should call "Port Control" as above if intending to cross or enter a channel. Lightsa are shown from the port control tower and operate at all times as follows:- Ben Schoeman Dock - Red Duncan Dock - Green Victoria Basin - Amber Flashing light - Vessel entering Fixed light - Vessel leaving (no entry)

Anchoring and Berthing - Anchoring is forbidden within "any channel of the harbour". The RCYC visitors' berths are the first two berths inside the first pontoon. Once tied up you should call at the office (you may be allocated a different berth if staying some time). In the V & A New Basin there are alongside and stern-to berths but very little in the way of facilities

Bridge Control
VHF Channel 71 'Swing Bridge'
Access into the V&A marina is through a swing bridge and a bascule bridge. Call to request an opening which can only be either a qurter to or a quarter past the hour.

Yacht Clubs

Royal Cape Yacht Club
Small Craft Basin, Table Bay, P.O. Box 772, Cape Town 8000 , SA
Tel:+27 021 421 1354 & 6. Cell 082 490 7097, Fax:+27 21 421 6028, VHF Channel 71 during regattas
http://www.rcyc.co.za/, info@rcyc.co.za
One month's membership for visiting yachts. Walk on moorings, water and electricity on the dock. Strong shore lines needed, the wind can come up very strongly in no time. Facilities include hot showers, toilets, bar, good restaurant, chandler with limited stocks on site, liftout facilities (smaller boats), repairs, and helpful secretarial services. Full security. Email/Internet connection at the bar. Slip (next to chandlery and fuel berth) takes up to 50 tons and the crane up to 10 tons

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