Reported by Des Cason:
I have been involved in weather f/casting and route planning for yachts coming to SA via Madagascar/Reunion/Mauritius and so far have had 22 either safe in Richards Bay or still en route, in addition, the 15 ARC yachts en route from Reunion.

Having learnt from bitter experience to stay out of Mozambique I have consistently warned yachties about the corruption and crime with the recommendation to stay away. During the past 5-7 years the port operations were privatised which one would assume would be a good thing, but this just brought into play a more efficient ”mafia” to extort exorbitant fees etc. from defenceless yachties. Threats of attaching/impounding yachts and confiscation of passports were favourites.

The bright spot to this is a report received from SV PARMELIA (Italian registry) following a visit to Ilha D’Mozambique (14 59S 40 46E). He was advised that due to the negative effect corruption has had on tourism, the central government has clamped down with draconian measures and all of a sudden it is all happiness. The fees he was charged were reasonable and he had no hassle with officials who could not be more accommodating and helpful.

Whether this is a local anomaly or a sign of what we can expect at other ports (especially needed at Nacala which is a den of iniquity) we don’t know yet, but it is a bit of positive news out of Africa for a change. I will keep you posted on developments.

Regards,
Des