DURBAN MARINA / BLUFF / ROYAL NATAL / POINT YACHT CLUBS

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Arriving at the Port of Durban

The Port of Durban, controlled by Portnet, our port authority, is a large and busy commercial harbour with specific areas set aside for pleasure craft. The harbour entrance is marked with lights on the North Breakwater(Fl G 3s) and South Breakwater (GpFl (2)W 5s).

The leading lights (Oc.R 4s 26m over Fl W 3s 23m) are on the bearing 215* 30'. Conspicuous on top of the Bluff on the south side of the entrance channel, is the Signal Tower, which controls shipping movements into, and out of, the harbour. On arrival, contact the Signal Tower, call sign "Durban Harbour Radio", who keep a listening watch on VHF Channel 16 and SSB 2182 kHz, when you are approximately one mile of the Breakwater.

Advise them of your arrival and last port of call, and request permission to enter the harbour. Durban is a compulsory Pilotage Port, but pleasure craft are exempt under certain conditions. Lights on the Signal Tower are used to warn approaching vessels of shipping movements:

A few excerpts from the free booklet "Welcome to Durban - a sailors guide". Available from Cruising Connections.

Landfall - arriving at Durban Port: (For FULL details see the booklet)
Contact the signal tower in advance by radio (VHF channel 16) and warn them of your arrival .
Request permission to enter when approaching the entrance. The signal tower keeps listening on VHF 16 and SSB 2182 kHz.
To establish radio contact with the Signal Tower call "Durban Harbour Radio".
There are 3 radio stations associated with Durban Harbour:
(1) Durban Harbour Radio - situated in the signal tower and controls shipping into and out of Durban.
(2) Durban Radio - situated in Pinetown, 16 kms inland and handles radiophone calls, puts out weather reports and will relay messages to Durban Harbour Radio if necessary.
(3) Durban Port Control - controls commercial vessel movements in and around Durban harbour.

Lights on top of the tower are used to warn approaching vessels of shipping movements through the entrance channel.
NO LIGHT - Channel clear for use
RED LIGHT - Ship leaving harbour - keep clear of entrance.
GREEN LIGHT - Ship entering port - keep clear of entrance.
FLASHING RED - Harbour entrance closed to shipping.

ALWAYS call Durban Harbour Radio (VHF 16) for permission to proceed through the channel. (See booklet for harbour channel details)

Foreign yachts may be met at the end of the channel by the SA Police Coast Patrol, which will escort the yacht to a holding area. Alternatively, Durban Harbour Radio may advise you to proceed to the International Jetty in the Silburn Channel next to the Durban Marina, or the Small Craft Basin which is on your starboard side after you have cleared the harbour entrance.

Help with formalities and forms is available from either Durban Marina, Royal Natal Yacht Club or Point Yacht Club. On arrival visitors raft up to the international jetty. For a possible marina berth contact Durban Marina at the office on the floating pontoon. They control 350 pontoon moorings and over 200 swinging moorings.

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ARRIVAL - from a foreign port

Immigration:

350 Umgeni Road, Greyville, (adjacent to the Main Railway Station)
Tel: 031-308 7937
Cell: 092-809 5789
The Marina Office can arrange for the Immigration Officer to call at your yacht.

Customs:
Customs and Excises Building, corner of Stanger Street and Victoria Embankment. Tel: 031-367 6100. This is within walking distance, or obtain the forms at the Marina Office, who will arrange for the Customs Officer to collect the completed forms.

Portnet:

Small Craft Control Department, Deputy Port Captain's Office, 111 Point Road, Durban. Tel: 031-361 8411. Office hours are 08h00 to 13h00 & 13h30 to 16h00, Mondays to Fridays; closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Durban marina will assist you in contacting this office.

Harbour dues payable are:

First 30 days Free Day
31 to day 90 R0,58 per metre per day
Day 91 to day 180 R1,16 per metre per day
Day 181 to day 270 R2,33 per metre per day
Day 271 to day 360 R7,02 per metre per day

Port health & State Veterinarian:

18 Stanger Street, Durban. Tel: 031-368 6011. This is within easy walking distance. Officials will only visit a yacht if it arrives from a yellow fever or plague infected port. The Skipper must, however, complete a "Maritime Declaration of Heath" form as part of the immigration procedures.

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DEPARTURE - all yachts bound for a foreign port & foreign yachts bound for another South African port.

Durban Marina:
Check out with the Marina Office, settle your marina fees, return the security key and be refunded your key deposit. Visiting yachts will also require a letter from Durban Marina advising that all fees have been paid.

The Portnet departure Flight Plan, Immigration Dept and Custom Dept forms are obtainable from the Marina Office.

Portnet:
Once completed, the Flight Plan must be taken to the Small Craft Control Department, who will stamp it and return the sections requiring it to be stamped by other authorities.

Immigration:
The Skipper must present the completed Immigration Arrivals/Departure forms and each crew member in person must present his/her passport at the Immigration Department offices in order to be cleared by Immigration.

Customs:
The completed Customs Department Forms must be presented to the Customs Office who will clear the yacht, stamping the flight plan, and issue a custom's clearing receipt.

Portnet:

A final call back to the Small Craft Control Department, at te Deputy Port Captain's Office, to hand in the stamped forms. The Small Craft Control Department will advise the Signal Tower that your yacht is cleared to sail. You now have 36 hours in which to leave.

DEPARTURE - South African yachts to a South African port.

Durban Marina:
The Portnet Flight Plans are obtainable from the Marina Office. Check with the Marina Office and settle any outstanding fees.

Portnet:

Completed Flight Plans, together with a copy of the yacht's offshore clearance and the Skipper's qualification, must be handed in to the Small Craft Control Department, Deputy Port Captain's Office, who will advise the Signal Tower that your yacht is cleared for departure. Clearance is valid for 36 hours.

Customs and Immigration formalities are not required.

FACILITIES

Information:

The booklet "Welcome to Durban - A Sailor's Guide" published by local yachtsman Tony Herrick, of Cruising Connections (Tel: 031-304 0108), is an invaluable guide to visiting yachtsmen & women. Cruising Connections also publish an excellent "South African Cruising Notes", a must-have sailing guide for any yacht sailing around the South African coast.

Hauling out:

A number of cradles are available at the Marina for slipping mono-and multi-hulled yachts up to 12 tons. Bookings must be made with Bryan Ward, Yacht Maintenance Services, who offers a full range of services, including painting, antifouling and mechanical repairs.Tel: 031-301 4787Cell: 082-780 7936.

Marina Yacht Lift situated on the Silt Canal, have a lift and fitting out and repair yard. Tel: 031-205 1814.

LJ Wilson's Marinas slip boats on cradles.There are also a limited number of moorings available. Tel: 031-305 4708.

Bluff Yacht Club has limited slipping facilities and a scrubbing pad available. Contact the Club Secretary - Tel: 031-466 1386.

Note: This information and tariffs quoted above are correct as at July 2000

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A few excerpts from the free booklet "Welcome to Durban - a sailors guide". Available from Cruising Connections.

Customs: (see booklet for full details)

Immigration:
Those persons requiring South African visas can obtain them from any SA Consulate including the Consulate in Reunion. These can be obtained separate from your passport if so required.

Ownership papers and a letter from the master accepting responsibility for the crew are necessary when getting visas.

South African ensigns are not available from the Consulates at present, but can be purchased from marine stores in Durban on arrival.

The immigration authorities must clear everyone aboard a yacht arriving from a foreign port.

Durban Harbour Radio will normally inform immigration, customs and health of the yachts arrival - the onus is on the skipper/owner to complete ALL the official formalities.

The skipper/owner must write a letter requesting permission if signing off crew. This is presented to the Immigration Dept., together with a completed Arrival Form, passport, air ticket or bank guarantee, and visa or request for temporary permit for each crew member. (see booklet for full details)

Health:
Officials from the Port Health Department will only visit a yacht on arrival if it comes from a yellow fever or plague infected port. The yacht skipper will be required to complete the Maritime Declaration of Health form. This form requires details of any infectious or contagious diseases contracted by the people on board during the previous voyage.

All members arriving from yellow fever areas must produce valid yellow fever certificates.

Animals and plants must NOT be taken ashore until cleared by the State Vet Dept. Tel: (0)31 368 6011.

The address for both the Port Health and State Vet is:
18 Stanger Street, Durban 4001.

For FULL details including ALL contact details of Durban's marine services, the free booklet is available from http://www.cruiser.co.za/tony.asp