Bocas Yacht Club Marina - Response to Cruising Permit Report

Created by sue. Last modified on 2009-05-21 19:02:04
Countries: Panama

In response to your posting regarding the cruising permit issue here in Panama I submit the following:

We continue to hear that cruising permits are not being renewed and therefore boats are being forced to leave the country. However, with all such things that stir the rumor pot we do not hear specifics such as the names of boats or officials that contribute to this problem.

We have a direct line of communication to the Directors of Immigration and the Port Authority. They have asked us to call and forward all emails regarding boaters encountering cruising permit problems. They always ask for specifics such as names of the officials that are causing the problems and boats that have actually been forced to leave due to a non-renewal of a cruising permit. Furthermore, they are willing to contact the officials directly to rectify the issues if they have the facts.

Bocas Marina management has been having meetings with Immigration and Port Authority officials for the last two years in an attempt to get the system working the same through out the country and, in fact, have been instrumental in the development of the new "Private Yacht Visa". This new visa law has been written but, as of yet, is still pending. The Immigration Department and The Port Authority will be having meetings next week in respect to finalizing the date of implementation of the new Private Yacht Visa law and clearing up the problems regarding cruising permit renewals. They have promised us upon numerous occasions that their main goals are to resolve these issues and guarantee uniformity of enforcement at all Port Captain and Immigration offices.

This new visa law has been written specifically for persons that enter the country by private yacht. These people will be able to remain in Panama for a total of one year. After that, they will need to leave the country for 72 hours and start the process anew.

I feel that the most important thing is that all of the RUMORS out there being fed by still more rumors. These rumors have taken on a life of their own and not to the benefit of boaters. It is almost like finally, perpetual motion has been harnessed but instead of being for the positive it is all based on the negative and it feeds on its self.

Having said all that, we here at Bocas Yacht Club Marina extend the offer of assistance to those who are actually about to be forced to leave the country due to having been refused an extension of their cruising permits and invite them to contact us.

Fair winds and calm seas to all.

Chuck Silvers
General Manager
Bocas Yacht Club Marina