tristandc.com

The Tristan da Cunha
Website
tristandc.com/ visits / visitsships
Information for Visiting Ships and Yachts
Visits Home Page
Website Home Page

Arriving by ship or yacht at Tristan da Cunha after such a long journey is a thrilling experience -
but crew must be aware
of local conditions and take advice - A good start is to study
this guide before you set out

Photos show at anchor in 2006:
< Yacht Pelagic Australis in May
Europa Cruise Ship in January >

General information for vessels visiting Tristan da Cunha
1. Contact Point
Advance arrangements may be made by contacting the Visits Liaison Officer at the Police Department by :
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3014 2010, Fax +44(0)20 3014 2020 or email tdcenquiries@stratosnet.com
2. Tristan Radio
Tristan Radio acts as a coastal radio station and port control. Visiting vessels should establish contact prior to arrival & during their stay, and advise ETD/proposed destination before departure.
Operating channels: VHF 14/16. HFSSB 4149/6230/8294mhz.
Contact Communications Officer Andy Repetto Tristan Radio ZOE at e-mail tristan.radio@yahoo.co.uk 
or by phone on +44 (0) 20 3014 2034 or after hours +44 (0) 20 3014 5024
3. Clearance on Arrival
Those vessels which have not made advance arrangements to call at Tristan must obtain prior clearance from the Harbourmaster, Medical Officer and Immigration Officer before anchoring or disembarking passengers or crew. Communications can be established via Tristan Radio on VHF channel 16.
4. Anchorage
All visiting vessels should seek advice from the Harbourmaster on a safe anchorage position (GPS: Lat 37 03.10S/Long 12 18.60W or Lat 37 03.04S/Long 12 17.85W) in the open anchorage below the Settlement (max depth 100m – 50m due to shelving bottom).
5. Outer Islands Anchorage
To comply with wildlife conservation measures, visiting vessels are not permitted to anchor overnight off Gough, Inaccessible or Nightingale Islands.
6. Harbour Access
Refurbishment works are planned (2007-09) to deepen Calshot Harbour and extend the breakwaters. Currently, it is too shallow for most boats: maximum depth to the top of the landing steps at low tide is 1.3m. Recommended means of disembarking cruise ship passengers is by Zodiac RIB craft, carried by all visiting vessels.
7. Harbour Closures
The Harbour is normally closed to visiting vessels after 1900 GMT in summer (1 Oct – 31 March) and after 1700 GMT in winter (1 April – 30 Sept). It is also closed to visitors during early mornings and late afternoons on fishing days, and at other times at the Harbourmaster’s discretion, to permit local boat operations.

8. Immigration & Customs Clearance
The Visits Liaison Officer will arrange for an official party to board visiting vessels and complete local clearance procedures prior to the disembarkation of passengers or crew. For visiting cruise ships, a charge of £100 is made for this.

9. Biota Ban
There is a ban on the import without a permit of any live or dead animals or plants.
10. Landing Fees
No visas are required. All visitors must hold a valid passport and obtain permission to land by having a landing stamp inserted in their passport. (Landing stamps may also be issued to passengers and crew not intending to go ashore, but who wish their travel document to be endorsed as a souvenir of the visit). Current landing stamp charges are:

Island

Cruise Ship Passengers

Other Visitors

Tristan

£25

£15

Nightingale

£15

£15

Inaccessible/Gough*

-

£15
(*Inaccessible and Gough Islands are World Heritage Sites so landings are restricted
for environmental and wildlife conservation reasons).

11. Medical Insurance & Waivers
All cruise ship passengers must sign an accident waiver (Passenger Indemnity Declaration) form before coming ashore, and all visitors to Tristan must have adequate travel insurance to cover the costs of any medical treatment including, if required, the costs of medical evacuation to Cape Town. Current medical/dental charges for all non-residents are :

Consultations

£20

X-Rays

£10

Medications & Consumables

Purchase price plus 50%

Hospitalisation

£140 per night

Theatre

£5 per minute
12. Ship/Shore Transfers
Visiting vessels are expected to use their own boats if suitable for use in the shallow harbour. Otherwise a local small dinghy (£15) can be hired by a visiting yacht, and a ferry boat and crew (£200) for a visiting cruise ship. The Immigration/Police boat is not usually available for hire except by prior approval from the Administrator and Head of Police Department.
13. Passengers & Crew remaining on board
Subject to prior approval from the vessel concerned, the Visits Liaison Officer will arrange for an official group to come aboard to sell a range of postage stamps and souvenirs to those passengers and crew not going ashore. Permission may also be sought for a party of local schoolchildren to tour the visiting vessel.

14. During poor weather
If weather or sea conditions prevent the disembarkation of passengers, but still permit operations by local boats, the Visits Liaison Officer may arrange for an official group to board to sell postage stamps & souvenirs.

15. General Conditions of visit
All visitors staying on Tristan must have a confirmed and fully paid return passage, health insurance to include cover in case of medical evacuation to Cape Town and sufficient funds for the duration of their visit.

16. Publicity
Ships are invited to contact tristandc.com Manager Richard Grundy on webmanager@tristandc.com to post notice of a ship's arrival, and to send a report, with JPEG files for the website and Tristan da Cunha Newsletter. Shipping companies may also request a link to their websites in return for a link to tristandc.com in the interests of mutual benefit.

17. Tristan da Cunha Association
Visiting crew and passengers are likely to be enthralled by the Tristan community and want to keep in touch and find out more. The UK based Tristan da Cunha Association produces two 16 page full colour newsletters and organises events, including a residential Annual Gathering. Join us by checking out the Tristan Association pages.
Please note that whilst every effort has been made to make information of these pages accurate, the Government of Tristan da Cunha reserves the right to change local by-laws and charges. Visitors should check firm prices at the time of booking.
Website Home
Visits Home Page
Published by the Tristan da Cunha Government and the Tristan da Cunha Association. Copyright © 2007 and all Rights Reserved.
This page first published October 2006