Durban : Profile

Clearance

Durban Harbour Radio must be contacted on VHF channel 12, to inform the authorities in advance of the yacht's arrival and to request permission to proceed through the entrance channel. Foreign yachts may be met by a Police Coast Patrol which will escort the yacht to a holding area, or alternatively Durban Harbour Radio may advise to proceed to the International Jetty or Small Craft Basin.

Arriving yachts have to contact the following departments within 24 hours of arrival: Customs, Immigration, Health, and Portnet Office. These offices must also be visited when leaving.

The Point Yacht Club has a few spaces for visitors and if there is space available one may proceed there and the club will arrange all clearance formalities, both in and out.

Foreign yachts must obtain clearance if leaving the harbour for a day sail offshore.

Customs
Customs & Excise Building, corner of Stranger St, and Victoria Embankment
Tel:+27 (0)31 367 6100

Immigration
Corner Maydon Wharf & Fletcher Road
Tel:+27 (0)31 205 0150/082 809 5789

Port Health & State Veterinarian
18 Stranger Street
Tel:+27 (0)31 368 6011
A Maritime Declaration of Health form must be completed (usually as part of the Immigration Department proceedures). Officials only visit a yacht if it arrives from a yellow fever or plague infected port.

Docking

The harbour is approached via a narrow channel, and this protects it from prevailing NE and SW winds, both of which can blow with considerable force. The yacht basin is situated right in the city centre. Docking is outside the Royal Natal Yacht Club and the Point Yacht Club or rafting up on the international jetty next to the Durban Marina.

A pleasent alternative with more space is the very friendly "Bluff YC". Although it's 10 minutes by car away from town, the haulout facilies, Club restaurant and bar beats all the others by atmosphere and prices. The channel to the Club is dredged to a minimum 6 meters.

There is no electricity on most of the docks for visitors; some docks do have electricity but the berth tenants have had to pay to have it installed so it is best to check with the Marina first as to availability.

It is possible to anchor in the Silburn Channel, where the holding is reasonably good. Fore and aft anchors are required and care taken not to obstruct the channel.

Beware of signing any liability waiver presented by the marina, as it may invalidate your own insurance and we have been advised that the marina may not have its own insurance in place.

Durban Marina
Tel:+27 (0)31 301 2176, Fax:+27 (0)31 305 4514
ydbma@mweb.co.za
This marina office controls over 350 pontoon berths as well as 200 swinging moorings and is also able to help with clearance formalities. It has been reported that the pontoons are not in a good state and may be unsafe.

Point Yacht Club
P.O. Box 2224, Durban, South Africa 4001
Tel:+27 (0)31 3014787, Fax:+27 (0) 31 3051234
www.pyc.co.za, pycsailing@telkomsa.net

Portnet
Small Craft Control Department, Deputy Port Captain's Office, 111 Point Road, Durban
Tel:+27 (0) 31 361 8411
Durban Marina can assist in contacting this office. For the first 30 days, harbour dues are free.

Yacht Clubs

The Point Yacht Club and Royal Natal Yacht Club give visiting yachts one week free membership during their stay. Both Clubs have good facilities, are very friendly to overseas guests and the security at the dock is first class. There is fresh water, but no electricity on the dock.

Bluff Yacht Club
P.O. Box 21084, Bluff, Durban
Tel:+27 (0)31 466 1386, Fax:+27 (0)31 466 4345
bluffyachtclub@xsinet.co.za
Free visitor's membership for the first 2 weeks. Toilets, showers, bars, restaurant, library, fax and swimming pool.

Point Yacht Club [see above]

Royal Natal Yacht Club
P.O. Box 2946, Victoria Embankment, Durban 4000
Tel:+27 (0)31 301 5425, Fax:+27 (0)31 307 2590
www.rnyc.org.za, club@rnyc.org.za
Showers, toilets, bars restaurant, library, fax, email and swimming pool. Visitor's membership free for the first 2 weeks.

The Point Yacht Club
Yacht Basin, Victoria Embankment, P O Box 2224, Durban 4000
Tel:+27-31-301 4787, Fax:+27-31- 305 1234
www.pyc.co.za, pyc2@telkomsa.net
Visitors' membership is free for the first 2 weeks. Facilities include showers, toilets, fax, bars, restaurant and swimming pool.

University of Natal Yacht Club
Durban
www.nu.ac.za/yacht

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