World Cruising Handbook Corrections & Additions: South Pacific

Created by doina. Last modified on 2008-03-14 10:22:56
Topic: WORLD CRUISING HANDBOOK 2007
Countries: Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Galapagos, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Island, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga

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

Australia p. 384

The cyclone season is from late October/early November to early May on both the Pacific and Indian Ocean coasts.

Procedure On Arrival
By law the captain must give not later than 96 hours notice of arrival. Yacht captains have been taken to court and fine heavily for failure to comply with this regulation.

phone the Australian Customs National Communications Centre on + 61 3 9600 3604.

Immigration: If planning on a longer stay it is advisable to obtain a 6 or 12 months visitor's visa in advance from an Australian diplomatic mission abroad as the procedure for extending a 3 month electronic visa can be complicated and expensive.

Cook Islands p. 389

Rarotonga
The harbour has been greatly improved with the addition of a new inner basin for small local boats but space for yachts is still limited. Advance notice may facilitate the difficult task of berthing commercial boats as well as private yachts. Harbourmaster John Fallon is very accommodating but has many boats to take care of so expect some moving around during your stay. Email hbrmstr@oyster.net.ck

In 2006 a separate anchorage was created for fishing boats and yachts away from the mooring for the bigger cargo ships but it has been reported that yachts were denied entry into the new facility, all places taken by local fishing craft and a severe depth restriction. A height restriction is also in place. The harbor master should be contacted for updated information.

Surge in Avatiu harbor may be a problem.

Palmerston
Crews must remain onboard until check in is complete. Note that Customs do not work on Sundays in which case you will have to wait until Monday to clear in.

Fiji p. 394

There are proposals to limit the time a yacht may stay in Fiji from the present maximum of 18 months to possibly as little as 3 months. Noonsite will be updated as soon as any such rules are confirmed.

As of July 1 2007 yachts must notify Fijian Customs a minimum of 48 hours before arrival in Fiji. Notification must be made using form C2C which can be downloaded from the FIRCA (Fiji Inland Revenue and Customs Administration) website, http://www.frca.org.fj

The form can be faxed to the Customs office at one of the Fijian ports of entry (Suva, Lautoka, Savusavu or Levuka) or you can email Customs at yachtsreport@frca.org.fj. Fax numbers: Suva (679) 3302864, Lautoka (679) 6667734, Savusavu (679) 8850728, Levuka (679) 3440425. The penalties for failure to comply may be a fine in the order of F$20,000 and or 2 years imprisonment. Lau Group
A visit to one specific anchorage in the Lau Group can be arranged through either of the marinas at Sauvsavu. Otherwise, those who wish to visit the Lau Group must apply for a permit in advance to the Lau Provincial Office in Suva. A letter should be prepared beforehand, including the following information: detailed list of islands to be visited, itinerary and dates, reason for visit, crew list with details of ages and passport numbers, name and details of yacht. Applications must be submitted in writing to Lau Provincial Office, Box 15163, SUVA, Fiji Islands. or e-mail to Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba

There will be a fee of US$10 per day while cruising in Lau Waters. Once the permit is approved you will be given a set of rules and regulations which you have to follow whilst in the Lau group. The above does not apply to superyachts and cruise ships. These conditions will be reviewed from time to time.

Fees
Lau Group Permit: USD10 per day.

Health: Since January 2007 following flash floods on Vanua Levu there have been some cases on the island of typhoid fever as well as dengue fever and leptospirosis. There have been reported cases of typhoid and leptospirosis also in the Greater Suva area. Travellers should take the usual precautions and check the latest travel advisories before visiting affected areas.

Suva Procedure On Arrival
Yachts no longer need to go to the King’s Wharf to complete clearance but must anchor in the quarantine area and wait for officials to come to the boat. Customs, immigration, agriculture and health officers will visit the boat with a launch and all the paperwork will be taken care of onboard including fees, although if you do not have local currency the launch will return the following day. After clearance you must go into town to pay the health clearance fee.

French Polynesia p. 425 Immigration: One can obtain a new one month stamp which is extendable for another 60 days. A recent report (2008) states that this is in fact not possible, and US citizens can ONLY get 90 days in 6 months period. One should consult the French consular authorities for the latest situation when obtaining one's visa.

Galapagos p. 398 delete details of individual agents : One such agent is Servigalapagos, who can be contacted by email at pelicanb@gpsinter.net or visit their website http://www.servigalapagos.com.ec and replace with Agent details can be found on the port pages.

PNG p. 415

Special entry permits are issued for yachtsmen (owner/captain of yacht) and are valid for 60 days. An extension of 30 days is possible upon application to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The crew of yachts are treated as visitors and are provided with Tourist Entry Permits valid for 60 days. An extension of 30 days is possible.

Permit fees are in the region of $140 US for the skipper and $35 US for each crew member.

Visas granted on arrival are valid for 60 days,

Pitcairn p. 419

GMT - 8

Telephones linking the houses are no longer operational. All communications are by VHF radio.

The HF radio is no longer attended except when a ship is expected. Best contact is co@pitcairn.pn

Samoa p. 421 Yachts are now required to berth in the new marina, as the old anchoring grounds are needed as turning space for the container ships. The rates range from WS$28/day for a 12.5 meter yacht (1 USD = WS$ 2.5524) to WS$102 for a 30m yacht. If a yacht had to anchor in the harbor for any reason they would still have to pay the berthing rate.

The harbor fee no longer has to be paid.

Solomon Islands p. 423

PNG High Commission: Tel 20561, Fax 20562

Tonga p. 433

delete from Medical, Neiafu: Dr Alfredo Carafa's Italian Clinic and pharmacy is found next to the Tongan Development bank and opens 9am-2pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1030am Sat.