|
Customs & Immigration |
|
Under Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, the youngest leader ever elected in the Caribbean, Dominica has broken new ground in making customs and immigration procedures the simplest and best for yachts in the Caribbean and we hope it may start a trend in other islands. The new measures means that as long as you are not changing crew members, you may check in and out at the same time for a two week period. This means that you only need to make one visit to customs, and once you are checked in you are free to visit any permissible anchorage in Dominica, and you do not have to return to customs before you leave. This should encourage visiting cruisers to stay longer, and make it a more attractive destination for the charter fleet based in Guadeloupe. Perhaps the best part of this is, by giving a two week clearance to those who plan to stay less, the officials are presenting a clear message of "you are welcome", and those that cannot take advantage of it this time round probably will the next. Obviously if you are changing crew members or plan to stay more than two weeks, you will need to clear in when you arrive and out when you leave. Entry is simple, take three copies of your crew list, and, if you have passengers, three copies of your passenger list. Customs may give a copy of your list to immigration, saving you the trip. or they may ask you go (they were asking you to go in Portsmouth when I was last here). If you are changing crew or passengers, however, immigration will want to see you. Immigration is normally fast and simple. There are no entry charges during office hours (Mondays 0800-1300 and 1400-1700; Tuesday-Friday 0800-1300 and 1400-1600). Moderate overtime fees are payable at other times. There is a nominal environmental fee. Fishing, including trolling, is only allowed with a permit. Anchoring is strictly prohibited in the marine protected areas. These include the Soufriere Bay/Scotts Head Marine Reserve that stretches from Anse Bateau through Soufriere Bay to Scotts Head Point, and the northern Cabrits Marine Reserve, which includes the coastal waters north from the Cabrits to beyond Toucari. Moorings have been put down for authorized dive boats and operators. Yachts and their tenders may not use these moorings. (See the relevant sections for more details.) Visitors are not allowed to scuba dive in Dominica, unless they go with a local dive shop or are granted special permission by the fisheries department. Dominica’s best asset is her environment. Spearfishing, anchoring on reefs, throwing trash in the water, or taking or damaging coral or live shells anywhere in Dominica is strictly illegal. Portsmouth Clear in with customs in the dock area, about half a mile south of Portsmouth. Their hours are Mondays 0830-1300 and 1400-1700; Tuesday to Friday 0830-1300 and 1400-1600. If you clear outside these times, you must pay a moderate overtime charge. Out of hours, you will find a customs officer in the customs residence, just on the town side of the customs area. Immigration is in the police station in town. You may not use or approach the cruise ship dock by yacht or tender when cruise ships are docked alongside. Roseau A customs officer can be found on the new ferry terminal. You can dinghy here or walk. Someone is usually on hand on Mondays 0800-1700, and other weekdays 0800-1600. They are sometimes open on Saturday mornings (0900-1130) and Sunday afternoons (1500-1730), depending on the ferry schedule. Even on weekdays, the officer does sometimes get called away when no ferry is expected. In this case, you will have to go to the deepwater port, just north of Roseau.
|
|