By George.Curtis2 - 1 Mar 2015
Flying Fish Articles
Member 's Website Éowyn
Report
Cocos Keeling Islands – 12°10.00'S, 96°52.00'E [Approximate]
1) INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY Mark Scott & Liz Hammick - Lone Rival John & Pat Driscoll - Moonlight of Down
2) DATE 1990 & 1998
3) HARBOUR OR AREA COVERED Cocos Keeling Islands (Australia) 12°10 'S 96°52 ' E. 1720 miles from Perth.
4) SUITABILITY AND ATTRACTION FOR YACHTS Very good. Useful stopover for yachts going to Chagos or Mauritius. There are two atolls consisting of 27 coral islands. North Keeling is a National Park, landing is prohibited. At South Keeling atoll 400 Malays and 100 Australian expats, on Home Island and West Island, are the only inhabitants. South Keeling Island is approx. 5 miles by 7 miles. It was first sighted by Captain William Keeling in 1609, and settled in 1827 by John Clunies-Ross from Scotland, who imported labour from Malaya for his copra plantation. There were 3,000 Malayans at one time. Direction Island was used as a cable station and on 9th November 1914 the German cruiser Emden attacked. HMS Sydney, Australia’s first naval victory, defended the island. The wreck of the Emden is on North Keeling Island. The cable station had a mess, tennis courts, a library etc. - now all that remains is an old rusty water tank and broken brickwork on the windward beach. Cables still cross the bay under water. The Cocos were a staging point for flights before long-range aircraft, but this was abandoned in 1967. Now there is a meteorological station and a high-security quarantine station for cattle being imported into Australia - and one of the most beautiful anchorages anywhere in the world.
5) APPROACHES TO THE DIRECTION ISLAND ANCHORAGE Enter on 198°T, pass close to the rusty post with red paint on it, on the port side. Turn onto 090° T, aim for the next post with a silver cylinder-shaped topmark, leave to port and go straight into the bay. It looks very shallow but the least we had was 11 ft. Anchor outside the two (faded) yellow quarantine buoys until cleared. After clearance anchor as close to the beach as possible (unless you have animals aboard), outside the swimming area and as far to the E as possible for maximum protection.
6) ENTRY PORTS Direction Island
7) FORMAL REQUIREMENTS FOR YACHTS ENTERING/DEPARTING
a) from/to same country N/A
b) from/to abroad Australian Federal Police cope with Customs/immigration requirements. All vessels require full inward/outward clearance proceeding to/from the islands.
c) visa requirements A valid Australian visa is required for all non Australian/NZ citizens. Arrival without a visa will result in a limited stay and a fine.
8) LOCATION/EXISTENCE OF
a) harbour master
b) customs/immigration & MAAF Call Cocos Quarantine or Cocos Police on VHF Ch 20 on approaching 12 miles limit and again when at anchor. Call until contact is made. Usual Australian procedures as Sydney
9) CONTROL OF FOREIGN YACHTS All fresh goods - i.e. fruit, eggs, egg products, most canned meat, etc, will be either removed or bonded up, and rubbish and produce that would not keep in bond will be removed for burning
10) ATTITUDE OF OFFICIALS TO VISITING YACHTSMEN Pleasant, courteous and direct in apply strict adherence to regulations.
11) REPAIR/HAULING FACILITIES Cocos Engineering VHF Ch 20 can carry out a wide range of general engineering repairs. There are no yacht haul out facilities. But in a dire emergency a yacht could be lifted at Home Island quay by a 55 ton Mobil Crane on to a flat topped barge used for discharging the island supply ship.
12) SAILING DIRECTIONS OR CHARTS Aus 607
13) PORT RADIO SERVICES Local calling channel VHF Ch 20. Works a repeater for extended range.
14) WEATHER FORECASTS NIL. Can Contact Cocos Met VHF Ch 20.
15) YACHT CLUB(S) Nil
16) OTHER FACILITIES -
a) drinking water From 2 big GRP tanks fed by catchment roof over barbecue tables on Direction Island. The water in the tanks if not deemed suitable for drinking. Yachts are requested not to fill tanks from this source as it is to be shared with other yachts and locals. Cocos Engineering will deliver water from West Is with fuel or you can negotiate a special delivery. Cash only.
b) fuel Cocos Engineering will deliver fuel to yachts and this can be split with other yachts. Cash only. Small quantities available by can from Home Island Hardware Store. Dinghy trip can be hazardous in strong trades.
c) gas (propane)/gaz/ Home Island Hardware store to standard Propane fitting with bleed screw.
d) chandlers Nil. Some general hardware at Home Island.
e) bank Commonwealth Bank Agents on both islands. No practical use to yachts, as they do not give cash advances on credit cards. Deals with A$ only
. f) shops/market Small supermarket on Home Island, caters for Malays but adequate for basics. A larger Supermarket on West Island caters for Australian Expats. A limited amount of fresh fruit & vegetables flown in weekly available in both - naturally expensive. Beer & Spirits very cheap at West Island supermarket who do accept Visa/MC.
g) restaurants/hotels West Island Lodge. Motel type accommodation. Restaurant. Good place for lunch. Home Island - small restaurant adjacent to quay.
h) post office/telephones On both islands, but share Postmaster so restricted working days/hours. Beautiful stamps and decorated Air letter forms can be bought. Pay/Card phones on West, Home & Direction island. The latter is solar powered so does not work in the early morning or during bad weather & requires a phone card.
i) best mailing address c/o Poste Restante, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Indian Ocean, Via Australia.
j) showers Not available.
k) laundry Laundry facilities available West Island Lodge or DIY on Direction Island.
l) transport/air services) There is a once a week Air service from Perth. Regular ferry service from Home Island to West Island Jetty with a connecting bus service to the settlement. This is a community service, mainly for secondary school children and government officials etc. Visitors are transported free of charge subject to space. (The once weekly service to Direction Island has ceased).
m) hospital There is a resident doctor who consults at both the West & Home Island Health centres.
n) anything else Rubbish - At Direction Island burn own rubbish in incinerators & throw into deep pit provided. On Direction Island there are barbecue facilities & toilets. Coconuts are free for the taking. The swimming is wonderful in fabulous clear water. The beach is great for kids.
17) FIRST HAND RECOMMENDATIONS OR WARNINGS The lagoon can be a hazardous place to operate small craft. There have been a number of incidents including the loss of life over the years. Be prudent when operating dinghies & carry full safety equipment per regulations. Navigation is not recommended in the lagoon after dark. Home Island is home to a Muslim community. Visitors should dress appropriately. For men this means wearing shorts and a shirt. Women are required to cover up, a minimum of longish shorts and a top that covers the shoulders. Swimming costumes are not accepted.
See attached plan
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