World Cruising Handbook Corrections & Additions: Antarctica

Created by doina. Last modified on 2008-03-14 11:11:12
Topic: WORLD CRUISING HANDBOOK 2007
Countries: Antarctica

Corrections and additions to World Cruising Handbook 3rd edition (2001).

ANTARCTICA p. 182

Profile:

six annexes. These deal with environmental impact assessment, conservation of flora and fauna, waste disposal and management, prevention of marine pollution, protected areas and emergency liability.

Clearance:

All expeditions to Antarctica south of 60°S must obtain permission from the national Antarctic operator or the relevant government department. Until recently yachts arriving without permission were tolerated, but this is no longer the case.

The Antarctic guidelines do not apply north of 60°S however those territories which are north of 60°S in the Southern Ocean are under the jurisdiction of their respective national governments and are dealt with on their specific Noonsite pages. The relevant authority should be contacted before visiting any Southern Ocean Island to ascertain the latest regulations and restrictions.

The procedure for obtaining permission (in some cases known as "advance notice" or "prior notification") varies according to different countries but should be commenced at least 6 months before the intended visit.

A Post-Visit Report must be submitted to whoever issued your permit within 3 months of your visit. These can be downloaded from the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat or IAATO websites.

A zarpe will be issued for sailing in Chilean Antarctic waters and one must report to any Chilean bases in the Antarctic (failure to do so may result in a fine).

Documents:

Yachts intending to visit Antarctica must be familiar with the annexes to the Protocol on Environmental Protection as well as the Antarctic Treaty Recommendations XVIII-I (1994), Guidance for Visitors to the Antarctic and Guidance for those Organising and Conducting Tourism and Non-governmental Activities in the Antarctic. Available from the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat website www.ats.aq

The Tourism Guidelines adopted in 1994 were supplemented in 2004 with Guidelines on contingency planning, insurance and other matters. The full text of the guidelines can be read on the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat website (follow the links Topics – Other). In summary, the 2004 guidelines state that those organising or conducting tourist or other non-governmental activities in the Antarctic Treaty Area should have in place before the visit “appropriate contingency plans and sufficient arrangements for health and safety, search and rescue (SAR), and medical care and evacuation.” Also available from the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat website are specific guidelines for sites most visited by tourists. Although intended more for larger numbers of visitors (12 or more) smaller groups should also abide by these guidelines. More sites will be added in future. Site-specific guidelines have been developed for the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetlands.

Information is also available from IAATO, International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators

Publications:

Southern Ocean Cruising by Sally and Jérôme Poncet, second edition 2007, available to order or as a free download from http://www.era.gs/resources/soc/index.shtml

Fully updated to include latest environmental regulations and visitors guidelines. Essential for anyone planning to visit the region.

Antarctica: An Introductory Guide (lists addresses of national institutes)

Antarctic Treaty Handbook (gives maps and descriptions of Protected Areas)

IAATO Visitors Guidelines http://www.iaato.org/visitors.html

IAATO Marine Wildlife Watching Guidelines http://www.iaato.org/wildlife.html

IAATO also publish an annual information pack specifically for visiting yachts.