Caribbean Clearance ESeaClear - Does it really work?

Created by sue. Last modified on 2010-01-22 21:25:17
Contributors:
Topic: Cruising Information
Countries: Anguilla, Aruba, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines

Received 31 December 2009

I have tried to use the E-SeaClear and it has NEVER worked. I tried between Feb-June 2009 from BVI to Grenada with not one successful use (customs/immigration offices not able to use system).

I just tried (Dec 2009) at West End, Tortola, and they laughed at me. Somebody needs to do some grass roots training or give up on this idea that makes just too much sense for an island culture to embrace.

Places we attempted to use E-SeaClear:

British Virgin Islands (12/09 and 2/09), West End.
On 12/09 the officer stated, “Who told you to use that?”

Dominica (4/09), Portsmouth: computers not working.

Netherlands Antilles (Saba 5/09): no need, more simple process.

Saint Kitts and Nevis (2/09): St. Kitts: system not yet implemented.
Nevis: I overheard someone in the BVI state they just used it in Nevis.

Saint Lucia (4/09), Rodney Bay: No internet access in office (at marina!).

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (5/09): Bequia: Not using system.
Cariiacou (5/09): Not using system

It seems like this is a good idea, but the resources and desire to implement such a system are just not there. It takes a lot to change a system based on forms and process.

For us as USVI residents, just using it for the BVI would be a huge time saver. Heck, I would pay extra! Trying to use it this week cost me an hour in West End! If I would have planned on not using it, I would have had all my forms filled out before hand (we keep a stock on board) and been through quickly.

Gil Anspacher
SV Kauhalekai

Noonsite Info:

The E-Sea Clear website states that the following countries are participating currently:
Anguilla
Aruba
British Virgin Islands
Dominica
Netherlands Antilles
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

We understand that Grenada has not yet implemented the system as they don't have the money for the required supporting IT.

WCC inform us that a quarter of the yachts in ARC 2009 used the system (ie: for St. Lucia), and it worked well - however this may be because it was a large group of yachts all arriving around the same time rather than singular cruisers. St. Lucia have implemented the system in Rodney Bay, Marigot Bay and Soufriere.

We would welcome comments from any cruisers that have used the ESeaClear system succesfully. Please email noonsite@noonsite.com.

Comment from Chris Doyle, received 31 December 2009

Eseaclear does not work yet in St. Vincent or Grenada. It does work very well in St. Lucia and St. Kitts/Nevis. I have not personal experience of the other islands.