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World Cruising Handbook Corrections and Updates 2
Created by
doina.
Last modified on 2007-01-09 22:49:55
Argentina Nuevo peso Brazil Formalities: One should start early as government offices close for lunch from 1130 to 1400. Latest information is that the Federal Police must be visited first (they deal with immigration). Second, Customs, followed by Health (for a de-ratting certificate) and finally Port Captain (the Brazilian Port Authority is called PORTOBRAS, Empresas Portos do Brasil). As of September 2006 new legislation permits yachts to stay a maximum 24 months. The amount of time permitted for crew remains the same as for other tourists (90 days with 90 day extension). Immigration: US citizens may be able to obtain a five year multiple-entry visa in advance which is a good alternative if you plan to leave the yacht in Brazil and then return. Hawaii Restrictions: In June 2006 the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument was created, to be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and including the NW Hawaiian Archipelago and Midway Islands. For more information visit http://www.hawaiireef.noaa.gov/ Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor: Up to 300 berths of the 699 total set to close in 2006 due to lack of maintenance; no visitors berths. Australia By law the captain must give 96 hours notice of arrival. Souvenirs will also be inspected including shells, feathers, wooden artefacts and any matting. Restrictions: Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is divided into different coloured zones; in the "Green Zones" which cover about one third of the park, no fishing or collecting is allowed. Heavy fines and boarding by authorities to inspect the boat freezer are in operation. Restricted fishing is permitted in some of the other zones. For more information and zone maps visit the Marine Park Authority's website www.gbrmpa.gov.au Fiji delete events: September: Musket Cove to Vila Yacht Race and Fiji Regatta Week, Musket Cove. French Polynesia Documents: This is possible at Banque de Polynesie or Banque Socredo (check commission rates as these can vary from bank to bank). Galapagos In a move to encourage more cruising yachts to stop in the Galagaos, "El Universo" (the largest newspaper in Ecuador), has announced a change in government regulations, pertaining to vessels visiting the Galapagos. The last paragraph of the newspaper article, reads: "In the regulations it is also pointed that small vessels of up to six crew en route to the South Pacific could approach land in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, in the Galapagos, to refuel, for provisioning and water, under the jurisdiction of the Port Capitan of said place." This means that stopping in the Galapagos is now allowed for any vessels, not just in case of emergencies, as in the past. New Caledonia Quarantine: The following food items will be confiscated: delicatessen meats, fresh/frozen meat, eggs & dairy produce, honey, fresh fruit & vegetables. Goods are taken regardless of origin (even if purchased in New Caledonia on an earlier visit) and the boat is likely to be searched for them. It is therefore best to arrive with as little fresh food as possible. NZ New Zealand citizens must now obtain a visa in advance before entry to Thursday Island as the Torres Strait area has been declared an excised migration zone. PNG Misima ceased to be a port of entry in March 2006. The nearest place for yachts to complete formalities is at Samari or Alotau. Samari only has one official on duty and is unmanned if there is a callout - the officer is Felix Dosi. Alotau's Officer in Charge is Erick Awamaki. Phone numbers are as follows: Samari - 642 1155, (fax/phone). Alotau - 641 0181/641 0284 (phone), 641 1034 (fax). Customs Port Moresby is 322 6600. India Facilities for yachts are set to improve with a small marina planned for Panjim near Goa. Indonesia Batam Island: new ports of entry: Batu Ampar, Nongsa Point Marina Malaysia Langkawi There is a new dinghy dock, charge RM20 per week, in front of the Mosque for use by yachts at anchor. Plans for a tripper boat dock in 2007 may reduce the size of the anchorage. Penang: The Seagate Anchorage is in the Western Channel at about 05º19'N 100º18’.5E. Uncle Quah (Mr Quah Thye Hock) Thailand Immigration: The captain/owner of a yacht arriving without a visa as well as any crew will be granted a 30 days stay on arrival (a "yacht visa"). This can be extended for up to 90 days for a valid reason ie either medical or mechanical, in which case the request for extension must be accompanied by a letter from the doctor or repair company and a letter from the marina or yard where the yacht is located. A yacht visa extension costs Tb 1,900. Alternatively the captain can declare all other people on the yacht to be passengers and they will receive a visa on arrival, VOA, valid for 30 days. This VOA can be extended twice for a total stay of 90 days by exiting and then re-entering Thailand on a VOA.). Since 1 October 2006 this can be done for a total stay of 90 days and then no VOA will be issued for a further 90 days. Clearance Phuket: As of May 2006 it is now necessary for all foreign boats coming to the island to first berth at Chalong Pier to complete formalities before they can travel anywhere else around Phuket. Fees: delete: Immigration charges a set fee of 300 Baht with an extra 10 Baht per person for designated passengers. Crew are not charged. This fee applies for arrival and departure. Customs charge 300 Baht on departure only. Sri Lanka Galle To speed up clearance into Galle yachts can now email the following details to Windsor Yacht Services windsorreef@wow.lk and they can have the Navy Clearance prearranged in order to save a couple of hours waiting at the entrance. Send: Yacht Name, Name of Master, Masters Passport No., Last Port, Departure Date, No. of Crew. You can then call Don Windsor on VHF CH69 one hour out and they will advise on procedure. Chagos As of 1 January 2007, yachts wishing to visit must apply for a permit in advance and pay the mooring fee in advance by bank transfer. The form (Visitor Permit Request) can be obtained from BIOTAdmin@fco.gov.uk or request by fax at +44 (0) 20 7008 1589 or by post from: British Indian Ocean Territory Administration, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH, UK, Tel +44 (0) 20 7008 2961 or 2890 Fees As of 1 January 2007 the fee to visit Chagos will increase to GBP 500 for 1 month - payable in advance. Madagascar Officials no longer come to the yacht and one must visit the relevant offices (Port Captain, Police, Immigration, Customs and Health) for clearance. Speaking French may be an advantage. Visas can be obtained on arrival. Maldives New regulations state that yachts intending to cruise any other atoll other than the North & South atoll must pay a fee of Mrf.5000.00 (about USD390) to the Tourism Ministry for the cruising permit. The agent will arrange this. Yachts not obtaining permission are liable in future to be fined. Mozambique On arrival immigration officials will stamp your passport and then issue embarkation cards or shore passes to yachts in transit, instead of issuing visas. This is now standard practice up and down the coast. These shore passes usually have a limit of 30 days, but can be extended. It is important to get an extension before the expiry date. Yachts can stay at the Maputo Marina which dries out at low tide. Oman Yachts can obtain a cruising permit from the Royal Oman Police (ROP) in the harbour at Mina Qaboos - it is issued from Jan 1st until Dec 31st - and costs 150 O.R. (Approx USD400). Port Salalah: Noonsite has received a report that Mohammed Saad, previously offering services to yachts, is no longer recommended. |
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