A reputable source in the Galapagos recommends that all yachts planning to visit the Galapagos Islands have their hulls thoroughly, perhaps professionally, cleaned before leaving their previous port. On arrival in the islands, it will be inspected, possibly by a diver, to ensure there is no foreign marine life which can endanger the native ecosystem. If the inspection is not satisfactory, the yacht will be sent away from the National Park. This involves going 30 to 40 miles out to sea. Where, if conditions allow, further cleaning of the hull can take place.
In addition, the yacht must be fumigated. Preferably before arrival, but it can be carried out on arrival. Ensure that an approved product is used and that you have a certificate.
The new requirements also specify that two notices be posted on the yacht. One, on the outside stating
‘Do not throw garbage overboard’ and another on the inside by the engine compartment saying
‘Do not discharge Black waters into the sea’.
See the Noonsite pages for the Galapagos at http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Galapagos?rc=Formalities
For all the details of procedures, regulations and fees.
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They aren’t requiring “professionally cleaned before leaving their previous port” They require that you show up with a clean bottom. No barnacles and no growth. On arrival in San Cristobal in early Feb 2015, we were visited on two occasions by separate divers with GoPro cameras.
We cleaned the bottom thoroughly before leaving Panama and dove it again to remove 6-days of green growth before we entered port. As far fumigation is concerned, you can get a very nice fumigation certificate from Tito (see Panama City Cruisers Guide) if you are in Panama.
Paul
SV Georgia
svjeorgia.blogspot.com
We arrived at San Cristobal 2 months ago, having come from mainland Ecuador. We did stop 40 miles offshore to clean the bottom of the boat, however, we were also told to redo it once we had arrived. Our agent sent a diver down with a GoPro, and we were told to remove any remaining barnacles and save them in a plastic bag to give to our agent, Bolivar.
Our boat WAS fumigated on the mainland, but if you do so prior to arrival, make sure that the product they used is listed. This is what the officials are looking for.
Heather Reimer
SV Sundancer