Durban - General Info

Where is Durban?

Durban is a coastal city in eastern South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province and is known for its African, Indian and colonial influences.   The port is the largest commercial port in Africa with specific areas set aside for pleasure craft.

Entrance Notes and Cautions for Durban:

The Port of Durban is operated by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA). “DURBAN PORT CONTROL” or "DURBAN VTS" [VHF Ch. 09] controls all the shipping and yacht movements in and out of the port. The harbour entrance is marked with lights on the North Breakwater (FL G 3S 15 M) and South Breakwater (FL (2) W 5S 18 M), both of which protect the harbour from prevailing NE and SW winds, which can blow with considerable force.

Durban Harbour Radio (the Signal tower that controls shipping movements into and out of the harbor) must be contacted approx. 1 mile off on VHF channel 09, to inform the authorities in advance of the yacht’s arrival and to request permission to proceed through the entrance channel.  You will be instructed to keep close to the Green marker buoys (Starboard Side) of the main channel. After exiting the main channel, alter course to Starboard and head for the Silburn Channel.

Lights on the Control Tower are used to warn approaching vessels of shipping movements:-

• No Light – Channel clear for use
• Red Light – Ship leaving harbour; keep clear of the entrance channel
• Green Light – Ship entering harbour, keep clear and look behind you, it’s probably approaching your transom as you peer ahead!

There are on-going dredging operations here, in and around Durban Marina, however silting is confined to the area around Bluff Yacht Club. Durban Marina has had silt coming in but that only affects the shallower section where the motor boats are berthed and it does not affect the large area where the yachts are berthed.

The Point Yacht Club have drafted a security "risk" map for cruisers who don't know the city.

RISK ZONES DURBAN

• GREEN denotes ‘Safe areas’ – can freely walk about (tourist section)
• YELLOW denotes ‘Safe areas by day’ – can walk but be alert / Uber ok (general business areas)
• ORANGE denotes ‘Areas where caution needs to be taken OR areas where you have NO REASON to want to go’ – Can Uber through these areas.

Useful Contacts:

• OSASA Representative Suzaan van Wyk - Email: suzaan@osasa.org.za
• Point Yacht Club Vince Nel & OCC Port Officer - Email: vincen@darcstudio.co.za
• Durban Marina Manager Mark Hall – Ph: 031 110 0971, Email:  manager@durbanmarina.co.za
• Durban Marina Admin Tracy Sewrajh - Email: admin@durbanmarina.co.za
• Gail Force Yachting Gail Dickerson - Ph: 083 549 1940, Email: gailforceyachting@gmail.com

Position:

29° 51'48"S, 31° 03'38"E (harbour entrance)