World Cruising Handbook Corrections & Additions: North Indian Ocean & Red Sea

Created by doina. Last modified on 2008-03-14 10:58:52
Contributors:
Topic: WORLD CRUISING HANDBOOK 2007
Countries: Egypt, Eritrea, India, Maldives, Oman, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Yemen

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

Eritrea p. 491

Formalities, Immigration: A 48 hour shore pass will be issued upon arrival. For longer stays, or travel inland, a visa is required. A 30 day visa can be obtained in Massawa for US$40 per person.

A local man (Mike, Weldemicael Hobtezion Tel 552467) visits yachts and will help arrange repairs, deliveries of fuel and water as well as laundry.

Fuel & water are available at the fishing boat dock. The availability of fuel is uncertain as in theory you need to have coupons, which cruisers cannot get. Mike may be able to obtain small quantities. Reports from 2006 and 2007 are that there is a serious fuel shortage and you must obtain tickets from the tourism office to purchase the fuel (small amounts only). Even then it is very likely that no fuel may be available.

India p. 493

Visa can also be obtained in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Customs: Detailed list of movable items was not requested in 2007.

Cochin: No landing passes issued, only stamps in passports.

Nicobars: On the rhumb line from Phuket to Sri Lanka,, the Nicobars form the southern chain of the Andaman Islands and unlike the northern Andamans, access is restricted to Indian Nationals only. Foreign yachts and tourists are not permitted to visit this restricted area which is heavily patrolled by Indian Navy vessels and helicopters.

Maldives p. 500

Cruising Guide to the Maldives, John Hoedemakers, available from www.sailadventures.eu

Oman p. 502

Remove: It has been reported that satellite fixes cannot be obtained from approximately 40 miles offshore and when approaching Port Salalah. The authorities in Oman are aware of this phenomenon, but have not been able to offer an explanation.

delete - Cruising the coast is forbidden.

Clearance can be obtained 24/7.

Visas are required by all nationals except those of the Gulf States, a 30 day visa will be issued upon arrival by yacht. Remove the rest of Info under Imigration - except Israeli Passport holders...

In the past those arriving by yacht for a short visit could obtain a shore pass but now all must obtain a visa, this will be issued on arrival by immigration (6 Omani rial, about US$17). Without a visa you will not be allowed to leave the port.

Immigration and customs fee, 15 Omani rial (about US$40) per yacht. There is an ATM outside the port gate which you can visit after clearing in and obtaining your visa, to take out Omani rial in order to pay the authorities and retrieve your US dollars.

Vessels over 30 tons are required to have a agent; under 30 tons it is not required but may be an advantage.

Restrictions: remove all.

Rocks and cables could snag the anchor rode in some places in the anchorage area.

The seamen's pass validity can be extended beyond 7 days without charge.

Sudan p. 513

Local time in Suakin & Port Sudan is UTC +3 hours.

UAE p.516

Add to Facts: and the large expatriate Indian workforce means that major repairs can be done cheaply. The cost of labour is cheap and the work if properly supervised, is normally done to a high standard.

There is very little bureaucracy, for most nationalities the entry visa is free. Food, fresh and tinned, petrol and diesel are all well priced and there’s no tax on imported sailing goods.

Yemen p. 517

Salalah port is open 24/7. Call Port Control on VHF 16 or 13 when close to the buoyed channel.

(Remove reference to 2182) . A pilot is not required for yachts entering at night.

Watch out for the big mooring buoys in the approach to the anchorage.