Boating in Philippines

[Capt. Ray]

I agree forget Manila where are you going to park the boat at the Yacht Club? I live in the Puerto Galera area and agree with the below. Plenty of sweet free anchorages there and in the rest of the islands. Right now I am in Yucatan prepping my boat to head for the Panama Canal and then on to the Philippines to retire there...

Originally Posted by sailorsocal

3 hours south of manila is a place called Puerto Galera and home to the cruising yc of the Philippines. Highly recommended with great people and worth considering. Only place we go to when visiting. Totally avoiding Subic Bay unless looking to haulout and never gracing the snobbery of manila yc after first visit there about 8 years ago.

Best to you in deciding what to do. If us, go without insurance and go to Puerto Galera while enjoying the cruise across the South Pacific.

John and Michelle

[MatthLE]

Hello Charming People;

Thank you so much for your reply. Your advice is certainly welcome. As long as Puerto Galera is hospitable and has the items needed for routine minor maintanance and provisioning for a couple of weeks your advice appears to be the best choice. Any suggestions on where to find a dinghy there or any local contacts? Logistics of getting one in Mindanoa then meeting up with the boat in Manila are a bit daunting! When are you targeting coming back home?

Respectfully
Lem and Flora

[Capt. Ray]

My 18-year-old son is in the Puerto Galera area and has a tricycle, he can show you around. You can get most labour help for around 600 pesos a day and probably a water taxi. BTW is was announced today that Puerto Galera is now open to tourists.

[NCWDave]

Wow this thread is solid gold! Thank you to everybody that has contributed. I have become very discouraged with the bickering on so many threads that I had all but quit this forum. My Wife is from Davao, Mindanao. My thoughts;
1) On the long haul sail, Depending on your route there will only be one or two long legs. https://www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/Tr...Puddle-Jump%22).
2) in the Philippines avoid the western 1/3 of Mindanao, and the south half of the Sulu Sea, as well as the northern Celebes sea.
3) pay attention to more than just the weather, the currents can be fierce.
4) Getting involved with a Rally group seems to be a great idea.

Best of luck and I plan on following your trail soon!

[kocebike]

hi there, first time user here.
Thinking of sailing my AUS registered yacht up to the Philippines sometime this year, date is not exactly set, mainly due to covid restrictions.

My question is, can anybody steer me towards any rules and regs regarding foreign registered vessels, and length of stay in Philippine Waters

Most of my sailing has been confined to the south pacific areas south of New Guinea and east to Tahiti, so it's not any info on sailing I'm seeking.
I'm married to a Filipina and have spent a considerable amount of time in the Philippines, so my visa is all sorted also....but I've done no sailing there and I don't know of anyone that has, in regard to lengthy stays in Philippine Waters in foreign registered vessels.
My plans for the next few years is to stay in the Philippines for a few months at a time, depart for a month or so, then return for another few months before departing again... so, I'm after any info that maybe relevant to me regarding Philippine rules for foreign registered private vessels with frequent and lengthy stays.
Cheers
Ken

[pbmaise]

Many of these rules mean life or death ignoring them is the reason some do not have a good experience.

#1 Balabac Island and harbor is a great place to stop between Kota Kinabalu and Palawan. Anchor in front of coast guard building only. Say hello at office. Absolutely for no reason at any time of day or night enter the water. Do not take a dog to shore at night. If you scuba, there is a wonderful small island a local operator will take you to. Town is safe and nice to stock up. No need to check in here because you can't. Fuel is available. Have some peso changed in KK.

2.Stopping at any other islands in South Palawan is not recommended. At most one night. A quick check at noon under boat should be fine. Never ever night swim here.

If you keep renewing your visa you can stay in Philippines for years. Once every few years you must fly out and your boat can stay.

There are two critical months to observe the season. For Yolanda I prepared for two days and had 16 lines and loops of chain securing my vessel. Do not depend on a mooring unless you are aboard to run engine and counter the wind load. In the latest blow several were damaged in what everyone claimed was a safe harbor.

In fact it likely is safer to be at sea with no sails up on a small monohull. I have positioned my vessel before close in to a high rise on a lee shore. This required engine power to reduce anchor load. When a much larger vessel had the same idea, I upped anchor and used their ship to block. They knew what I was doing and why.

[kocebike]

Thanks for the reply,

Like I said in my post I'm married to a Filipina, have been for many years, and I'm on a valid 13A visa.

If I understand, your saying, as long as my visa is valid I can keep my vessel (Australian registered) in the Philippines indefinitely, is that right?

Can anyone provide anything official in that regard

[pbmaise]

I kept my USA vessel in the Philippines without issue and official check in and check out for over 7 years. I know other vessels that have been there for decades. I kept my USA docs current. I checked out of Philippines in 2019. No taxes of special fees were collected owing to the vessel flag.

The Philippines does have rules about vessels cannot be used for commercial use if built outside the Philippines. I believe some operations were grandfathered in or made bribe payments or faked documents.

[kocebike]

Originally Posted by pbmaise

I kept my USA vessel in the Philippines without issue and official check in and check out for over 7 years. I know other vessels that have been there for decades. I kept my USA docs current. I checked out of Philippines in 2019. No taxes of special fees were collected owing to the vessel flag.

The Philippines does have rules about vessels cannot be used for commercial use if built outside the Philippines. I believe some operations were grandfathered in or made bribe payments or faked documents.

Thanks heaps for your reply

[Icarus]

Originally Posted by kocebike

Thanks for the reply,



Like I said in my post I'm married to a Filipina, have been for many years, and I'm on a valid 13A visa.



If I understand, your saying, as long as my visa is valid I can keep my vessel (Australian registered) in the Philippines indefinitely, is that right?



Can anyone provide anything official in that regard

Yep, that's correct..you can extent your tourist visa every 59 days for over a year...about 750 AUD a year..

[pbmaise]

Originally Posted by Icarus

Yep, that's correct..you can extent your tourist visa every 59 days for over a year...about 750 AUD a year..

No, unless something has changed recently, my understanding is it can be extended for up to 3 years. I came close to hitting this 3 year limit and had to take a flight to Singapore, spend a few days, then go back.

I used the opportunity to go to the Racor filter distributor and pickup a full box of filters. I also purchased some new anodes and 12 volt lighting.

If you make a visa run to Singapore be certain you stop at the marine supply shop on Kitchener Road. There are about a dozen shops in the same building that come in handy.

Located in: Jalan Besar Plaza
Address: 101 Kitchener Rd, #02-14/22/23, Singapore 208511