MERCI beaucoup au nom de tous les navigateurs des mers du Sud pour ces mises-à-jour fort appréciées
Voici un sommaire du Caribbean Compass d'avril
1. New Port of Entry in the British Virgin Islands
Effective March 1st, Gun Creek, Virgin Gorda is a port of entry into the BVI. NorthSound, of which Gun Creek is a part, is hailed as one of the best anchorages in the Caribbean.
BVI Premier and Minister of Tourism Dr. D. Orlando Smith says, “Declaring Gun Creek as a port of entry is a catalyst for the development of a very important segment of our tourism industry.”
Noonsite advises: “The North Sound is an excellent protected harbour and is alsothe closest point in the BVI for clearing-in when coming from points east. This is veryuseful for yachts coming from St. Maarten, as it gives immediate access to the very sheltered and large bays of Gorda Sound. It also avoids going to check in at crowded Spanish Town further south.“
Gun Creek is located at the south of Gorda Sound; anchor on the southeast of the creek to allow room for the frequent small ferries which ply the Sound. There is a dinghy dock just behind the small ferry dock right outside the blue Customs building.
The office is open from 0830 to 1600 hours Monday to Friday, and from 0900 to 1400hours Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.“Using ESeaClear makes the checking in and out process even speedier.
Make sure when you check in that you allow enough time to cruise the BVI, as whatever you say will be dated in your passport. Extensions cost more money!”
2. St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Has Immigration Overtime Fee Without fanfare, an Immigration overtime fee was introduced in St. Vincent & the Grenadines late last year, surprising many yachting visitors this season who cleared in or out of SVG waters outside of normal working hours, unaware of the new fee.
The new Immigration overtime charges are EC$35 for clearance outside of normal working hours from Monday through Saturday, and EC$50 on Sundays or holidays.
The entry fee (“cruise tax”, EC$35 per person) and Customs overtime charges(EC$45.80 Monday through Saturday, EC$63 for Sunday) stay the same.
Normal working hours at Bequia Customs are Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 12:00 noon and 1:00PM to 4:00PM (overtime 4:00PM to 6:00PM), and Saturdays 8:30 to 12:00 noon (overtime 3:00PM to 6:00PM).
The Bequia office is open on Sundays and holidays from 9:00AM to 12:00 noon and 3:00PM to 6:00PM, all overtime hours.So, if a couple clears into SVG waters on a Sunday or holiday, for example,they'll pay:
Entry fee x 2 EC$70
Customs overtime EC$63
Immigration overtime EC$50
TOTAL EC$183 (approximately US$68).
Note: If you clear in and out in one transaction during overtime hours, you pay the Customs overtime fee twice.
3. Bermuda Streamlines Yacht Visa Process
As reported by Renate Johns at www.sail-world.com: While some countries are putting up barriers to visiting yachts by charging berthing taxes and other fees, Bermudais making it easier for visiting yachts by streamlining their visa process, allowing it to happen while the yacht is still en route.
This comes after last year's lengthening of the maximum period of time that yachts can visit Bermuda.
The streamlined process will encourage more yachts to visit the archipelago of 150 islands, already a frequent stopping place for yachts on their way to or from the Caribbean.
National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief told the Bermuda House of Assembly that as a result of meeting with private sector partners, the Department of Border Control will now be able to process visa waiver applications while vessels are en route to Bermuda.
The move is intended to address an issue in which some arriving visitors have been unable to secure the Bermuda entry visa. “Those individuals are often unable to disembarkand the rigid application of the policy defeats the economic aims of Bermuda as a premium yachting port,” Mr. Perinchief said.“We have created a specific e-mail address, supplied to agents, and could receive visa waiver requests while the ship passes the Statue of Liberty.”
The minister said this initiative, along with last year's extension of the maximum period of time visiting yachts and crews can stay in Bermuda (from 21 days to 90 and extensions possible), will allow the US$10 million that visiting yachts put into the local economy in 2010 to increase in the years to come.
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