Red Tape Puts Me off Cruising

[goboatingnow]

I do think that the issue isn't as simple . In many countries cruisers are seen as a " nuisance" a departure from the norm, especially in a post 9/11 world. Our economic/tourist value to most countries is virtually negligible . More tourists arrive in a day by aircraft then in a a year as cruisers . By and large port authorities are not set up for small cruising boats most being designed for ships. Hence we can be treated as an oddity.

The fact is we are an oddity and there's not much we can do about it. The way the world is going well be lucky in a few years to be allowed to arrive in any country by small private yacht.

Dave

[NoTies]

The biggest problem here in Fiji is inconsistency between ports where internal clearance is required, however the yachting industry here is working with Customs & Immigration to simplify & streamline things. The authorities here listen to the industry but sometimes change takes a while. After all, it was we colonisers who introduced the wonderful thing called bureaucracy to developing nations so we only have ourselves (or our fathers) to blame.
I was in the Customs office in Lautoka in a private capacity a month or so back when a cruiser was checking out. He had lost his "Authority to Disembark" which is a record of who entered with the yacht and didn't have crew transfer documentation. He started abusing the officers, telling them they were monkeys, illiterate etc. told his crew "shut up, you're only the crew" when he tried to calm him down and after 1/2 an hour or so of this the customs officer asked him to leave. The guy said he had friends in high places who would sort them out. A total a/hole.
Funny thing was the next day I'm back at work at my yachting company and the guy calls for us to sort his problems out. Am I one the his friends in "high places"??? He was told to start with a very humble apology. Turns out he had broken a whole lot of other rules but was eventually able to check out.

[atoll]

smile and ask them the rugby score,or cricket score in the windies,never show annoyance,and never,never belittle their country no matter if it is a stitpot dictatorship.............but always smile and think you ae the nicest person ive met all day. power of postive thinking and alllll

[Noname1]

Perhaps you've heard the phrase "Wherever you go, there you are!" (I think from the Hitchhiker's Guide?)

Buckaroo Banzai.

[simonmd]

Originally Posted by atoll

smile and ask them the rugby score,or cricket score in the windies,never show annoyance,and never,never belittle their country no matter if it is a stitpot dictatorship.............but always smile and think you ae the nicest person ive met all day. power of postive thinking and alllll

WARNING: If you've got a British flag, DO NOT ask them the cricket score when entering Aus, not at the moment at least!

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by simonmd

WARNING: If you've got a British flag, DO NOT ask them the cricket score when entering Aus, not at the moment at least!

Why not.... they've just kicked our ass...
They're bludi sadists..... look back through the Home Ashes.... they let us draw.... then they let us win.... and with 99% of Brits not being into Opera they never wait till the 'Fat Lady Sings'.... the chant begins....AyoAYOAYYYOAYYYY
Then OZ wins the next three hands down.... tactic rarely fails...

PS. This is not an insult its Standard BROZ Speak....

[atoll]

i rest my case,counciller,thank you boatman.
bluddy aussie oi,oi,oi cheeky btards,a bit like another of our colonies,only they never learned to play cricket,only baseball........

[Thames]

Originally Posted by ozskipper

The investment banker asks for a discount on a AUS$220 fine! haha what cheek!

just shows other forms of travel like flying can be awkward - but I suppose when it's just your body and your bag you just can blend in and have less to declare, but as a cruiser your boat will always stand out and one could carry so much contraband on-board.

[S Y Tuppenny]

If you work hard at it there will always be plenty of reasons NOT to go cruising and there will be loads of "cruiser crap"flying around.

We didn't listen, jumped out of the box, into the boat and just did it...........still doing it and don't want to go back to the "real life".

Hope you jump too.
all the best
The Tuppenny Girls

[DoubleWhisky]

Originally Posted by meyermm

Double Whiskey - Thanks for your reasoned reply. Just to clarify the 48hrs notification rule it is a minimum 48hrs so you could notify them two weeks in advance if you so desired. Also the notification can if I remember be by phone, fax or email so I really cannot see this being an issue.
Australians on the whole do not like ******** or politically correct talk. Sometimes this offends people who are not used it, if we do not like something or someone we will not hide the fact. Worrying about offending someone by being honest is not an Australian way of living. But even here some are horrified that they may offend hence the apologising for my comments by some.
Interesting though they the apologists seemed unwilling or unable to debate the many points I brought up just wanted to attack me. Have a nice Christmas I hope the snow heavy snow falls do not spoil it.

Hi meyermm,

thank You for clarification of 48 hours issue. If the notification can be made by satphone or e-mail it is really not big thing - for me at least.
I have a family in Australia and some friend there, so I know a little about Aussies - and never had any issues with Rather some good time over a beer or wine
Thank You very much - and happy, sunny Christmas to You

[Jim Cate]

Just a note:
The notification requirement for Australia is for 96 hours before arrival, not 48. Has been for several years now, so don't know where this idea of 48 hours has come from. At any rate, it is accepted to notify them before departure, and you can use most any means of communication, such as e-mail, fax, telephone, snail mail or telex. We use on-board e-mail for this, and they want the usual details about boat, crew, port of departure, proposed port of entry and ETA. They send back a conformation that they have received your data. Changes in arrival port are accepted as required, but if you have onboard comms they appreciate being notified of changes. There are NO charges by the Customs Service for entry clearance. Australian Customs have always been reasonable to deal with for us, always pleasant and professional... if you follow their rules.

AQIS is where the difficulties and expenses lie. I'm not going to engage in more arguments about their practices but will make the following observations from personal experience. We have noted over the course of nearly 20 years of being cleared into Australia that the inspections have become radically more expensive, invasive and unpredictable. Different inspecting officers interpret their rules in widely varying ways which makes informed preparation difficult for the inbound yottie. These inspections are performed on ALL incoming yachts, regardless of their nationality. This includes Australian yachts. The recent emphasis on termite inspection is the subject of concern amongst international cruisers since it can lead to both an expensive (recent example of a timber yacht being imported at Brisbane: fee for inspection by dog and trainer was 1200 AUD) which in turn can lead to the requirement for fumigation. This process can cost upwards of 10,000 AUD and has lasting deleterious effects on the boat. Without getting into discussions about the need for these practices, I can state that this form of "red tape" is indeed causing cruising yachts to avoid coming to Australia.

So, for the OP, yes, red tape can "put one off cruising" and influence one's track around the globe.

I'll also point out that it doesn't HAVE to put you off... we're still doing it, and still coming to Australia despite all the guff.

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Church Point, NSW, Oz

[meyermm]

Yes 96 correct Christmas brain fade. My understanding is that no cruising yacht has been fumigated as other less expensive and less dangerous fixes are done but I am not denying the option exists. The trouble with putting it on a forum like this is many who read it interprete it as this is what will happen if I go to Australia. Rather than older boats with lots of wood can have problems and yes many cruising boats are old with wood. I would like to see some official stats as to what percentage have a big problem as I think if it was a major problem we would hear a lot more about it from the effected. As you say Jim you have been doing the trip regularly for many years and do not appear to own a new wood less boat - Merry X-Mas

[Bruce Johnson]

I haven't encountered a great deal of difficulty in any port. You just deal with the parameters of the moment, and try to be in full compliance when you arrive.
Like the man says, Do your homework. You won't get caught completely flat footed, and if you are courteous you'll usually find that the nice person behind the desk is professional and helpful.
The only real delay I have encountered is in transiting the Panama Canal. It takes about 6 days. 5 days of paperwork and fees, and one day to motor thru. It's predicted so not a surprise. Just keep your male crew out of Panama City, they've got drive thru bordellos.....

[Thames]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

You might need a license for that bicycle and if you don't have a helmet and proper lighting...there you are, in the slammer right next to the litterbugs again.

Is this true? Does anybody carry a bicycle on board to use at ports of call? This is important for me, I'm an avid cyclist and intend to use this wherever I go. The only issue I've heard of so far is that I should wash the tyres before landing in New Zealand. I'll happily do that, what a beautiful country!

[Roaring Girl]

Please - just a wind-up! We carry two bikes and use them around the place with no problem at all. We haven't yet been to a country that requires helmets, but if so will presumably wear them just as we wear seatbelts in countries where they are required by law.

Your stowage of a decent cycle (ours are small foldies not serious kit) is a much bigger challenge than any legislation.