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World Cruising Handbook, Corrections August to November 2004
Created by
doina.
Last modified on 2004-12-18 22:16:46
World Cruising Handbook 3rd edition, Updates and corrections AUGUST 2004 TO NOVEMBER 2004 Individual country entries on Noonsite should also be consulted as much information included in reports received from local correspondents is too detailed to be included here. All countries and subjects are listed in the order they occur in the book. SECTION I p5 Formalities: the European Union On 1st May 2004 ten new countries became members of the European Union: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia. Membership of the EU now stands at 25 countries. SECTION II Cyprus p44-45 Country Profile : Cyprus joined the European Union in May 2004. Customs: Cyprus joining of the EU means yachts will now be liable for VAT. Greece p58 Yachts must carry their original registration document and ship's radio licence. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. The original insurance certificate and a Greek translation showing third party insurance with the amounts in figures. The minimum amounts are 293,470 euro liability for death or injury by sinking, collision or other cause for crew and third parties, 146,753 euro for damage, 88,041 euro for pollution. The skipper must have an International Certificate of Competence. Italy p66 Yachts must carry their original registration document and ship's radio licence. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. The proof of insurance requirements are exacting; proof of third party insurance issued by an insurance company having reciprocal arrangements with a recognised Italian insurance company with an Italian translation, or insuramce bought in Italy through an Italian broker. A crew list showing surname, forename, date and place of berth, function on board, passport number and nationality. Malta p72 Country Profile : Malta joined the European Union in May 2004. p73 Customs: Malta's joining of the EU means yachts will now be liable for VAT. Slovenia p81 Country Profile : Slovenia joined the European Union in May 2004. Customs: Slovenia's joining of the EU means yachts will now be liable for VAT. Spain p82 Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy (and a translation into Spanish) and ship's radio licence. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. Although a Certificate of Competence is not required, many Spanish Harbour Masters believe it is, so it is advisable to have one. Belgium Documents p101 Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy and ship's radio licence. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. A copy of International ColRegs must also be carried and the current tide tables for the area. On inland waterways, if a boat is over 15m or capable of more than 11 knots, then the skipper must have an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) endorsed for inland waterways. Restrictions: The yacht must be equiped with adequate safety equipment including:- coloured rockets, safety harnesses, compass, lifejackets, fire extinquishers, first aid kit, navigation lights, bilge pump, anchor, tools for the engine. The name and home port must be clearly marked on the stern. A cone must be displayed when motorsailing. Denmark p104 Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy, and ship's radio licence. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. An inventry of the safety equipment on board. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. Estonia p108- 9 Country Profile : Estonia joined the European Union in May 2004. Customs: Estonia's joining of the EU means yachts will now be liable for VAT. Finland p110 Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy, a crew list signed by the skipper and ship's radio licence. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. Germany p114 Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy and ship's radio licence. A copy of the German ColRegs (Seeshiffahrtsstrassen-Ordnung) must also be carried even if the German is not understood. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. The captains of foreign yachts may have to show a certificate of competence, although the rules stipulate that this is not compulsory if such a certificate is not required in the country where the vessel is registered. A radio operator's certificate is compulsory. Latvia p118 Country Profile : Latvia joined the European Union in May 2004. Customs: Latvia's joining of the EU means yachts will now be liable for VAT. Guns, narcotics, pornography, etc. are strictly banned. There are no restrictions on the amount of hard currency you can bring in or take out. Objects dating before 1945 are subject to tax and require an export permit from the Ministry of Culture (C-3) on Pils 22; tel. 721-4100, fax 722-7916; open:08:30-17; Sat., Sun. closed. Make sure you take along the receipt to prove it was paid for and not stolen. Customs rules appear to change frequently, with officials sometimes interpreting them as they see fit. Customs info is available from the Customs Department, (G-1) K. Valdemara 1a, tel. 732-3858, fax 732-2440. Lithuania p120-121 Country Profile : Lithuania joined the European Union in May 2004. Customs: Lithuania's joining of the EU means yachts will now be liable for VAT. Netherlands p121 Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy and ship's radio licence. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. A copy of Binnenvaart Politie Reglement (BPR) must also be carried, even if the Dutch is not understood. On inland waterways, if a boat is over 15m or capable of more than 11 knots, then the skipper must have an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) endorsed for inland waterways. Any person steering a vessel capable of more than 9 knots must have a certificate of competence. Such a certificate may now be requested from anyone in charge of an offshore yacht. Poland p128-9 Country Profile : Poland joined the European Union in May 2004. Customs: Poland's joining of the EU means yachts will now be liable for VAT. Sweden p135 Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy and ship's radio licence. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. Azores p141 Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy and ship's radio licence. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. It is also very useful to have a typed sheet containing the name of the boat, port of registry, and the crew list. Channel Islands p154 Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy and ship's radio licence. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. France p158 Documents: Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy and ship's radio licence. For British yachts, the French authorities will accept the SSR document. They are very strict about registration certificates, and some boats have been fined for not having a satisfactory document. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. Ireland p166 Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy and ship's radio licence. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. Madeira p170 new port Quinta do Lorde, new marina to add to Ports of Entry Portugal p171 Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy and ship's radio licence. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. It is also very useful to have a typed sheet containing the name of the boat, port of registry, and the crew list. St Helena p199 Procedure On Arrival amendments: St Helena Port Control should be called on VHF Channel 16 or 14 Formalities are on some occasions performed ashore. Health: All visitors must carry health insurance that covers the cost of evacuation (up to £30,000) in the event of serious injury. It can be purchased locally for £1.10 per person per day. Lacking evidence of such, you will only be permitted to stay for 48 hours. Persons holding British Passports do not need medical insurance. Anguilla p 209 Immigration: A passport is preferred, however, US and Canadian citizens may travel with an original birth certificate and official photo identification. Visitors are required to have a return or onward ticket. No visas are required by nationals of EU countries, Commonwealth countries, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Uruguay, United States and Venezuela. All other nationals require visas. Customs: Firearms should be licensed and must be securely locked on board, under the captain's control only. Each visitor is allowed to bring in food for their own consumption, plus one bottle of spirits, duty free. Pets. At least six months prior to your arrival on the island contact the Agricultural Department at 264-497-2615 or the island veterinarian at 264-497-4600. Only certain pets are allowed on Anguilla. A valid veterinary certificate must be shown for all animals. Yacht must clear Customs and Immigration located at Blowing Point or at Road Bay (VHF Channel 16). Antigua p212 For entry into Antigua, U.S., Canadian and U.K. nationals only require proof of citizenship (a valid passport or original or certified birth certificate). Citizens of the U.K., the U.S., the E.U. and Commonwealth Countries do not require a visa in advance, to enter Antigua and Barbuda . Nor do citizens of the following countries (as of Jan 2004) :- Albania, Argentina, Armenia , Azerbaijan , Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Norway and Colonies, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovenia, South Korea, Suriname, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela. On arrival, immigration will issue a visa for the duration of one's stay(maximum of 6 months). It is advisable to request more than the intended time, as extensions must be obtained from the capital of St John's and can cost as much as US$100. If crew leave the boat in Antigua, they must have a valid airline ticket out of the country; it is the captain's responsibility to provide this ticket for all persons leaving. Crew arriving to join a yacht by air must show to immigration on arrival a copy of a letter signed by the captain. Immigration must be notified of any crew departures or changes. Customs: Firearms must be declared and if customs are satisfied that they are safely secured, you may be allowed to keep them on board. There is a zero tolerance of illegal drugs and the penalties are very severe. Do not unload any ship’s stores or equipment Animals are not allowed ashore and must remain on board at all times. Aruba p216 Immigration: Passports, although prefered, are NOT required for citizens of the United States and Canada, but they must have an original official State issued birth certificate with a raised seal AND a government issued (State or Federal) photo i.d. (i.e. a driver's license). Canadian citizens born in Canada must have a miniature birth certificate OR miniature baptismal certificate OR a miniature Proof of Canadian Citizenship. If not born in Canada, they must have either an original Certificate of Naturalization OR a miniature Certificate of Proof of Canadian Citizenship. Visitors from European Union member countries must have either a valid passport OR a European Union Travel Card. Nationals from the following countries are allowed to stay in Aruba for a maximum of 3 months: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, U.S.A., United Kingdom, Venezuela. A visa is required for citizens of the following countries: Afganistan, Haiti, North Korea, Burma, Iran, Ghana, Peoples Republic of China, Cambodia, Iraq, Cuba, Libya, Syria, Dominican Republic, Mauritania Nigeria, Vietnam, Russian Federation and all other former Republics of the Soviet Union with the exception of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. See Aruba Entry & Customs site - http://www.arubatourism.com/specialtips/entryandcustoms.html Revised Notes added under "Documents" (any duplication in "Clearance" has been removed) Barbados p222 The Barbados Customs' rule that yachts must clear in and out of the same customs station no longer applies. Bonaire p225 Procedure On Arrival amended text: Alternatively, arriving boats routinely pick up "town moorings" and proceed to Customs and Immigration. The customs office is close by and is open 24 hours a day seven days a week and no overtime is charged. Next one must visit the immigration office which is in a new location across the street from the Phone Company and Police station. Check in at the police station if immigration is closed. Arrivals are granted a two week visa and getting an 90-day extension is usally not a problem. Puerto Rico p 258 Procedure On Arrival: Boats arriving from outside the territory must contact customs immediately at one of the following telephone numbers: San Juan (787) 729-6850, (787) 729-6802 Fajardo (787) 863-0950, Mayaguez: (787) 831-3368, Ponce (787) 841-3130. The regional offices are open Monday to Saturday, 0800-1200 and 1300-1700. Yachts arriving after business hours, Sunday, or holidays, must report arrival by contacting US Customs Service at Tel. (787) 253-4538. Nicaragua p310 new port of entry added, Marina Puesta del Sol (Lat. 12 37'17" N Long. 087 20'30" W). See http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Nicaragua/MarinaPuestaDelSol for details. Panama p312 add new port Pedregal: Pedregal, near David, Chiriqui, has facilities for clearance. The Boca Chica area, near the east end of Isla Boca Brava, is increasingly used by yachts and there is now a marina in Pedregal. Clearance must be made first at David and Pedregal. Yachts can also anchor up the river, off Pedregal Yacht Club. Brazil p 331 Fernando de Noronha: As of 2004, anchoring fees are being charged as well as the Park fees. Anchoring fees are charged from arrival, and are reported to be about US$15 per day for yachts under 10 metres, US$30-40 for yachts over 10m. The National Park fee is not charged for the first day, and is US$10 per day per person thereafter (the captain is exempt from the fee for the first 4 days). Chile p335 Fees: Yacht up to 25 tons: each time a yacht enters or leaves the country it must pay: US$2.60 (Monday to Friday 0700 - 1900 and Saturday 0700 - 1300). Outside of these hours, the charge will be 50% more ie US$3.90 (weekdays 1900 - 0700 AM and from Saturday 1300 to Monday 0700). Yacht from 25 to 1000 tons: each time a yacht enters or leaves a port or a marina it must pay US$40. In overtime 50% more (60 US$). Please note: A yacht less than 25 tons of TRG must pay this tax only when it enters or leaves the country. A yacht more than 25 tons of TRG must pay each time it enters or leaves a port of Chile, even when it sails in Chilean waters without leaving the country. Lighthouse and beacon fees (Faros y Balisas) are : US$2.33 per year or US$0.92 per ton for one trip. Venezuela p354 VAT is now 16% Hawaii p 366 ADD: Palmyra Atoll is now owned jointly by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the US Fish and Wildlife (USF&W) Department, and is managed as a nature preserve. Visits by yachts must be arranged in advance with TNC. The shoreside staff monitor VHF Channel 16. Note that most of the charts of Palmyra can be off by up to a quarter of a mile or more. Yachts are permitted to stop for one week only, and there are strict limits as to where you can go without a guide. Water may be available, but no other supplies. The Nature Conservancy, 923 Nuuana Ave, Honolulu HI 96817 Tel:(808) 537-4508, http://nature.org, palmyra@inix.com Galapagos p400 Reports from 2004 suggest that it may now be possible to obtain advance approval from Puerto Ayora to visit Isabela. Tonga p 435 Niuatoputapu Island Procedure on Arrival: On arrival contact the local authorities for clearance. Except for the plant quarantine officer (located in the village at the anchorage), the other three officials (Customs, Immigration & Health) are located in the 3rd village (about 1 hour walking or 15 min biking). Often, someone will inform them of your arrival and a white van may honk at you from the dock. You will transport them to/from your yacht. p435 Neiafu Procedure On Arrival updated along with Facilities On entering the harbour, if this is a first entry into Tonga, yachts should call Vava'u Radio on VHF 26 and go alongside the main wharf on the port side. The Customs and Port Captain's offices are situated here. Customs may wish to board the boat. Boats are cleared (free) between 0830 and 1630 Monday to Friday. If arriving after hours or at weekends, boats are allowed to stay at anchor, flying the Q flag and not going ashore until clearance is completed. For outward clearance, a visit must be made to the Immigration office near the police station. There is a departure fee of $40(Tongan). p436 Restrictions delete paragraph: Sewage may not be pumped into the boat harbour in Nuku'alofa or Neiafu harbour. Holding tanks or toilet facilities ashore must be used. There are no pumpout facilities, so yachts are requested to discharge sewage outside of the harbour areas. If you need to clear outside business hours, contact Hollie vhf ch 16 or sailingsafaris@kalianetvav.to so it can be arranged in advance. The local radio net, VHF Channel 26, 0830, Mon-Sat, will help provide useful information, run by various local marine operators. Facilities – Neiafu: In Neiafu harbour, you can either anchor or pick up a mooring from one of the renting companies. Anchorage space can be a problem close to town because of deep water except where most moorings are located. Remember that all the moorings belong to someone, so request permission before picking one up and inquire about strength for your size boat. The pink or blue-green numbered buoys belong to Beluga Diving (CH 16), the orange buoys with poles located between Sailing Safaris and Sunsail belong to Moorings (CH 72), the various buoys, mostly white, between the town wharf and Sailing Safaris belongs to Sailing Safaris (CH 16) and the white buoys with poles in the inner harbour belong to Sunsail (CH 68). In the outer anchorages, the moorings in Hunga (anchorage #13) belong to Ika Lahi (CH 71); in Tapana (anchorage #11) belong to The Ark/Tapana (CH 10) and in Mounu (anchorage #41) belong to Mounu (CH 77). The following anchorages (#6, #7, #8, #19, #32 and Maninita) have moorings put down to protect the coral and are free to pick up but donations are expected to help maintenance & placement of future moorings (boxes at Ana's and Mermaid). Malaysia p466 Add new port Danga Bay (see Noonsite for details) Maldives p501 Animals: Being a Muslim society, dogs are considered unclean and are required to be kept on board. It has been reported that as of 2004 no agents will now represent a boat with a dog on board. However, one agent in the Maldives has since confirmed that yachts can enter the Maldives with dogs onboard as long as the animal remains onboard at all times. Furthermore, yachts must ensure that their agent obtains permission for them to enter the Maldives with a dog onboard at least 24 hrs before arrival. Yachts failing to do this will be subject to a fine; the Maldives Coastguard reports that in 2004 3 yachts were fined for failing to obtain this prior permission. On arrival the captain must declare that the yacht carries a dog, to the security officers who will then will make a statement which the captain must sign undertaking not to take the dog ashore. Any yachts with a dog on board should contact an agent before coming to Male to check the current situation. Other pets do not seem to be a problem. Chagos p522 Fees: A fee of $US95 is now being charged for cruising boats for a three month stay. The fee should be paid in cash as any other currency or cheque will incur a 40% surchage. Salomon Islands add: The boats anchored at Salomon normally monitor VHF channel 69. There are wells on both Takamaka and Boddam Islands. The water can be used for laundry but it must be treated or boiled if used for drinking. Rubbish can be burnt on Boddam Island and there are trash cans where tins, bottles and other non-degradable items can be deposited. The coral patches and reefs in the approaches to the ruined dock at Boddam (next to a large cross) have been marked with white buoys. Because of many isolated coral patches throughout Salomon atoll, the lagoon should be crossed only in good visibility. new text for Egmont Islands: The Egmont Islands, 70 miles north-west of Diego Garcia, have a lagoon which can be entered on its north-west side through an area where the reef is submerged. This should only be negotiated in good light and as the only anchorage is to the south-east, a mid or late morning arrival is recommended. The pass is not easily identified and its GPS coordinates have been reported (2004) at 6 deg 38.391 S, 71 deg 20.916 E. A minimum depth of 4 metres has been reported at these coordinates. Care should be taken when navigating in the lagoon as there are many isolated coral heads. There is an anchorage in 6 metres in the south-east corner by Sudest Island, but it is not protected from the north-west. The swell tends to roll in at high tide making the anchorage quite rolly. Kenya new port added, Mtwapa Creek: The creek affords a well sheltered anchorage and the Aquamarine (Marineland) Restaurant is a popular gathering place for cruising sailors. If entering or leaving the country, immigration must be completed in Mombasa; the customs office at Kilifi must be visited on arrival and departure (it may be possible to arrange for customs to visit the yacht, for a fee - contact the workshop at Marineland for details). Kenya Marineland, Tel:00 254 011 485866/486582, kml@africaonline.co.ke Mauritius p533 Weather: Weather forecasts: Mauritius Met Office, Tel. 302 6071, 686 1031. Port Louis Procedure On Arrival/Facilities: On arrival call Port Control on channel 16 who will probably ask you to switch to channel 14. You must then proceed to the Customs dock. It is located in an old grey building, next to an old windmill (also grey) on the left side right at the end of the main channel. There is only a small dock in front of the building with a sign saying Customs, but it is possible to tie up alongside the quay wall immediately to the south. Customs, immigration and Coast Guard formalities are all completed in the same building. Guns and spearguns must be declared and surrendered to Customs until departure. A one month visa will be granted on arrival. There are no fees. Once formalities are completed you are free to move over to La Marina inside the Caudan waterfront development. This is a small marina, but with excellent facilities. Tie up alongside the quay. There is water and electricity. Docking fees are very reasonable. There are showers, laundry, and various restaurants and shops close by. The marina security office should be contacted first for information on what repair facilities are available. The central fresh produce market off Farquhar road is open every day and has an excellent supply of local produce. The closest supermarket to the marina is Winners. There is also a hypermarket out of town. Reunion Island p 540 Procedure on Arrival: One should tie up alongside the fisherman's wharf south of the entrance, or proceed farther south to the marina and tie up alongside the reception pontoon, in front of the Port Captain’s office that had been inspired by the Sydney Opera House. Deep-drafted boats should not proceed beyond the finishing wharf, where the depth is 14 ft (4.5 m). Yachts should contact the Capitainerie du Port on VHF Channel 16 and they will advise on the correct procedure. Yachts which arrive outside working hours usually have to wait until offices open. Port de la Pointe des Galets is usually referred to simply as Le Port. The Port Captain’s office (Tel. 0262 435899) is open 0800-1700 on weekdays, and 0800-1500 on weekends. Facilities: Pointe des Galets is an artificial harbour about 10 miles west of the capital Saint Denis in the western part of Le Port area. The new marina (port de plaisance) is now operational south of the commercial harbour. Fuel and water can be taken on at the fishermen's wharf and there is also a fuel station next to the travelift pen. There is a hard-standing area with a 40 ton travelift on the west side of the marina. Also a small chandlery. Provisioning is difficult as the marina is quite isolated and it is about a half hour walk into the nearest town, the residential area of Le Port, where there are several supermarkets, general shops and an internet café. There is a good morning market for local produce in the capital Saint Denis. The best market in Reunion is at Saint Paul, on Friday (from 6 am to 7 pm) and Saturday morning from 6 to 1 pm. It has more choice than in Saint-Denis and is also reported to be cheaper. Saint Gilles les Bains : Almost all spaces in the small marina are taken up by local sport fishing boat and visiting yachts may not find place. There are shops in the busy resort adjacent to the port. Saint-Pierre : Saint Pierre on the south-west coast welcomes yachts. The port entrance is quite difficult but there are clear range markers. The approach heading leading to the first pair of markers is 354 degrees true. The second pair of markers leads through the entrance on a bearing of 029 degrees true. When level with the port side breakwater (red light) favour that side and pass between a red beacon and two green buoys to reach the marina. The water on the starboard side of those buoys is shallow. Thanks to a large resident yachting community, repair facilities are quite good. The recently refurbished marina has a 40-ton travelift. There is water and electricity on all pontoons. Essential spares can be flown in from France, but this can take at least one week. There is a small but well stocked fresh produce market open every day Jumbo supermarket, at the western end of town, on the waterfront. Possibly the best stocked supermarket south of the equator with an excellent selection of mostly imported French goods. |
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