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Mike Bickell 's Grandpa 's VoyagesMike Bickell Grandpa 's Maps covers:Richards Bay, – 28°47.69'S, 32°04.70'E
Durban – 29°51.93'S, 31°01.60'E
East London – 33°01.38'S, 27°53.74'E
Port Elizabeth – 33°57.99'S, 25°38.10'E
Gordons Bay – 34°09.81'S, 18°51.69'E
Lambert 's Bay – 32°05.34'S, 18°18.32'E
Reports on the following places follow:
Cape Town – 33°55.00'S, 18°22.00'E
Durban – 29°49.00'S, 31°01.00'E
East London – 33°01.00'S, 27°55.00'E
Hout Bay – 33°00.00'S, 18°00.00'E
Port Elizabeth – 33°57.00'S, 25°38.00'E
Richards Bay – 28°49.00'S, 32°06.00'E
Simonstown – 34°11.00'S, 18°26.00'E
Cape Town Please note the date of this report and treat with CAUTION
SUBMITTED BY Mike & Pat Pocock - Blackjack Tom Morgan, OCC Port Officer, author - S.A. Nautical Almanac
DATE 1993 & 1997
HARBOUR OR AREA COVERED Cape Town, South Africa. 33°53’S 18°27’E
SUITABILITY AND ATTRACTION FOR YACHTS A major staging post in a Round the World voyage. An excellent place for stocking up.
MARINAS, BERTHING OR ANCHORAGE The Royal Cape Yacht Club have marina berthing. In December the winds howl through the marina so double up on lines ashore. Starting in 1997 the Royal Cape charges R200 per person per month liveaboard tax on top of marina rental, water, electricity, insurance and temporary membership.It is also possible to go into the V & A Waterfront to restock before leaving. No anchoring within the harbour. Hout Bay, about 8 miles south of Cape Town, has a good marina where there are plenty of other long term and liveaboard sailors. But Hout Bay Y.C. has also introduced the same R200 liveaboard tax as the Royal Cape. It is possible to take a bus into Cape Town for clearance. If overwintering in S. Africa a look into Gordon’s Bay Y.C. could be considered.
ENTRY PORTS Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Richard’s Bay.
FORMAL REQUIREMENTS FOR YACHTS ENTERING/DEPARTING a) from/to same country It is necessary to clear in and out every time. b) from/to abroad Full clearance with all authorities. When departing start by collecting a ‘Clearance certificate’ from the Yacht Club. c) visa requirements Required for all except the British
LOCATION/EXISTENCE OF a) harbour master In Port Control building b) customs/immigration Bottom of Adderley Street c) health authorities d) police In town
CONTROL OF FOREIGN YACHTS 364 days without paying Import duty.
ATTITUDE OF OFFICIALS TO VISITING YACHTSMEN Fair
REPAIR/HAULING FACILITIES The Yacht Club runs a boatyard and slipway.This must be booked, but we were able to spend 2 nights and a whole day out of the water. We did our own work but it is quite possible to employ others.
SAILING DIRECTIONS OR CHARTS BA 1636
PORT RADIO SERVICES Cape Town Port Control VHF Ch 16
WEATHER FORECASTS Local radio
YACHT CLUB(S) Royal Cape Yacht Club Hout Bay Yacht Club
OTHER FACILITIES - a) drinking water RCYC marina b) fuel RCYC marina or duty free for foreign yachts at the Joint Bunkering Services in the Victoria & Albert Basin. Open 0800-1600 FREE Mon-Fri - have exact money available. c) gas/gaz/paraffin Ask at RCYC d) chandlers In Cape Town e) bank Lots - in Cape Town f) shops/market Good in Cape Town, suggest using Pick’n Pay at the Waterfront - they will deliver to the Club and take a lot of trouble. g) restaurants/hotels Many hotels & restaurants in town h) post office/telephones in town i) best mailing address c/o Royal Cape Yacht club, PO Box 772, Cape Town 8000, Republic of South Africa. j) showers RCYC k) laundry With a vehicle - easy , launderette in Claremont l) transport/air services) International Airport and coaches all over S. Africa. Train service to False Bay and buses around town. m) hospital Yes, various. n) anything else From the RCYC it is often possible to get a lift into town but not back again.
FIRST HAND RECOMMENDATIONS OR WARNINGS Do not miss the marvellous views from Table Mountain, either scramble up or take the cable car and spend a day walking on top and admiring the scenery, but only go up when the locals say it will be clear. If you have friends with a car, or hire a vehicle, then go down to the Cape of Good Hope, or to Stellenbosch and the wine country. 1997 - False Bay Y.C., Simonstown, has been charging visitors R69/boat/month and R50/person/month for the use of the club. Yachts are not allowed to discharge their toilets and boats with holding tanks must put to sea to discharge as there is no facility at the club
Durban Please note the date of this report and treat with CAUTION
Submitted by Peter Schofield - Port Officer Mike & Pat Pocock - Blackjack Tom Morgan, OCC - author - S.A. Nautical Almanac
Date 1989, 1994 & 1997
Harbour or Area Covered Durban, South Africa 29° 52’ S 31° 02’E
Suitability and Attraction for Yachts A deep water big ship harbour with good alongside yacht berths which are but a few minutes away from the centre of the city where the shops are excellent.
Marinas, Berthing or Anchorage Permission to enter the harbour should be sought in good time from Durban Harbour Radio on VHF Ch 16. You may be either escorted from the entrance or directed to a Quarantine berth near the harbour entrance which may be rather uncomfortable and dirty. After completing some of the formalities you may be escorted to the yacht basin. The Point Yacht Club has its own marina with locked gates at night and reasonable security. It is also possible to lie on the International jetty which is nothing like as grand as it sounds. Portnet fees prevail, first month free then 90 days @ R0.36 per metre per day. t would not be advisable to leave a yacht here unless in the care of the crew of another yacht close by. Larger yachts tend to anchor in the approach to the Yacht Club marina at the beginning of the Silburn channel.
Entry Ports Durban, Richard’s Bay, East London & Port Elizabeth.
Formal Requirements for Yachts Entering/Departing: a) from/to same country Internal clearance required. When clearing out the Point Yacht Club have to give you a ‘Flight Plan’ document for presentation to the Port Captain b) from/to abroad Customs & Health come aboard but a visit to Immigration is necessary. Crew members who are not co-owners may be required to deposit a bond, thought to be equal to an air fare home, if they wish to leave the yacht and take an inland expedition. c) visa requirements UK residents were not required to have visas but other nationals can obtain them on arrival, but best to check in advance
Location/Existence of: a) harbour master Port Control close to the Ocean terminal b) customs/immigration Customs near Port Control, Immigration in city centre. c) health authorities d) police
Control of Foreign Yachts 364 days without paying import duty. Visiting yachts may go offshore for a day sail providing clearance is obtained from Durban Harbour Radio and someone with a ’Pilot’s exemption Certificate’ is on board. No permission is required to sail within the harbour but care must be taken not to interfere with shipping or enter the restricted area.
Attitude of Officials to Visiting Yachtsmen Courteous and efficient
Repair/Hauling Facilities There is a significant local sailing and racing fleet and all repair and hauling facilities are available
Sailing Directions or Charts Durban - BA 643
Port Radio Services Durban Harbur Radio -VHF Ch 16
Weather Forecasts VHF Ch 26 & SSB at 1103 and 1903 local time
Yacht Club(S) Point Yacht Club, Royal Natal Yacht Club, Bluff Yacht Club and many others.
Other Facilities: drinking water Point YC marina and International jetty. fuel Bay services immediately south of the International jetty. gas (propane)/gaz In Pinetown, a suburb of Durban - car needed. chandlers Several excellent chandlers - particularly recommended - Herricks close to the Point YC. bank All major banks in the city shops/market Major shopping centre - no markets found restaurants/hotels No experience but everything from top class hotels to Chinese or take-aways. post office/telephones including mobile facilities Yes, and a telephone centre in town internet cafes best mailing address c/o Point Yacht Club, PO Box 2224, Durban 4001, Republic of South Africa showers Point YC laundry Laudrette very close by in city transport/air services International airport, trains and buses medical facilities/hospital Yes
Recommendations or Warnings All the above information was gathered before the first South African elections held in April, l995, and there may be many changes in the years to come. Before sailing for the Cape of Good Hope make sure you understand the problems of the Agulhas current, particularly when southerly gales are forecast.
Other Information – . In order to drive a vehicle on South African roads it is necessary to have a passport type of photograph, counter singed by your Consulate, affixed to your driving licence.
East London Please note the date of this report and treat with CAUTION
Information Submitted by John and Pat Driscoll – Moonlight of Down.
Date 1999
Harbour or Area Covered East London. R.S.A. 33?01’S 27?55’E.
Suitability and Attraction for Yachts A useful safe and secure haven on coast wise passages. South Africa’s only river port. A major Portnet facility but apparently not as busy as in the past.
Marinas, Berthing or Anchorage When approaching East London Harbour entrance, call East London Port Control on VHF Ch 16 (Working Ch 12) for permission to enter. Leaving the South Breakwater to Port proceed up the harbour to just below the first bridge (double decker road/rail) and tie up at Latimers Landing Jetty on the starboard side. The first berth to the East of the fence is reserved for the pilot boat. Latimers Landing is the old fish wharf, its wooden piled and decked. If first alongside Long Fender Boards are necessary. These are available on the landing deck, but you provide the ropes. It is often necessary to raft up. First 30 days are free, after that Portnet charges.
Entry Ports Richards Bay, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
Formal Requirements for Yachts Entering/Departing: a) from/to same country Coastal Arrivals Nil. Coastal Departures. Yachts must lodge a ‘Flight Plan’ (Passage Plan) in the box provided on Latimers Landing. b) from/to abroad Not a port of Entry for yachts c) visa requirements Not a port of Entry
Location/Existence of: a) harbour master Refer to Port Control b) customs/immigration No contact c) health authorities No contact d) police No contact
Attitude of Officials to Visiting Yachtsmen Not encountered.
Repair/Hauling Facilities It is believed that the East London Y.C. has facilities. Apply to the club. A number of yachts were seen lifted out and under maintenance in the facilities of the East London Ship Yard. Tel:- 0431 433 717.
Sailing Directions or Charts SAN 1027 BA 1843. S.A. Nautical Almanac.
Port Radio Services East London Port Control VHF Ch 16 (Working Ch 12). 15) Weather Forecasts Port Elizabeth Radio ZSQ. VHF Ch 26 and 4363 KHZ SSB at 0933, 1340 and 1733 UTC
Yacht Club(S) East London Yacht Club inside the East Breakwater. Buffalo Cruising Club opposite Latimers Landing. Neither visited.
Other Facilities: drinking water At Latimers Landing. fuel Fuel at Portnet Pilot Boat Berth, Latimers Landing. gas (propane)/gaz chandlers bank shops/market restaurants/hotels One pub / restaurant plus two restaurants on Latimers Landing. post office/telephones including mobile facilities Pay / card phones on Latimers Landing. International Direct Dialling. International Operator 0900. BT Direct 0800 990 144 FREE. ATT Direct 0800 990 123 FREE. internet cafes best mailing address showers At Latimers Landing laundry transport/air services medical facilities/hospital
Other Information – The harbour was used as a refuge to wait out the passage of a forecast South Western. For this purpose it was ideal. The authors did not leave Latimers Landing. Yachts people that stayed for sometime enjoyed their stay. However, the town centre is some distance (reportedly one hours walk) from Latimers Landing
Hout Bay Please note the date of this report and treat with CAUTION
Update November 2008 ‘Hout Bay’ (Wood Bay) was named for the dense forests surrounding this beautiful bay, which is bounded by the Karbonkel Mountain, Mount Sentinel, the Constantia Mountains and Chapman’s Peak. When entering at night, be aware that there are no leading lights and the harbour entrance lights can only be seen once you are well into the bay, because the harbour entrance faces north, while entry into the Bay is made from the southwest. Once inside Hout Bay there are no dangers with the exception of a rocky shoal close to the shore that dries and is shown clearly on the charts. Entry is safe in all weather, except in what is known locally as an ‘Easterly’. This wind comes down through a valley to the northeast and will be on the nose for any boat entering the bay. It is not unknown for an Easterly to blow at up to as much as 60kn on perhaps half a dozen occasions during any year. Whilst the Port Captain cannot be relied upon to respond to calls, if the Marina Manager is on duty he will respond on VHF Ch 71, otherwise call Hout Bay Yacht Club on Ch 16. Failing this, and if you need advice, put out a general call for help to any yachts in Hout Bay. I have put approach waypoints in the CIS section of the OCC website and if you need any help then drop me an email on roy@comlumber.com. If you are in doubt about where to go when entering the marina, moor at a vacant slip immediately to starboard as you enter the harbour. The Hout Bay Yacht Club email is hbyc@iafrica.com and the website URL is http://hbyc.co.za/2007.
Information Submitted by Roy Mc Bride
Date 2003
Harbour or Area Covered Include Lat & Long: Hout Bay, South Africa 33?55 'S 18?22 'E
Suitability and Attraction for Yachts :Very Good
Marinas, Berthing or Anchorage: the HBYC Marina is just inside and to Starboard, Tie up as required and find the Marina officer ,Peter Godley ,in his office on the harbour wall by the marina entry gate, phone 021 790 7095 work hours or Cell 082 4469424. If he is not available try the Yacht Club at the head of the pier, or phone on 021 790 3110, ask for Val or Anne in the office. Entry cards to the marina security gate are available for R50 (U$7) which is refundable on departure. Marina Fees, around R530 ( U$75) per month?
Entry Ports: Cape Town – It is possible to clear there by bus or car from Hout Bay
Formal Requirements for Yachts Entering/Departing: a) from/to same country Not required but may change b) from/to abroad Q Flag entry into Capt Town is best but see above. c) visa requirements None for UK citizens
Location/Existence of: a) harbour master In harbour but visitors can report to HBYC b) customs/immigration None c) health authorities none d) police In village
Control of Foreign Yachts: Cape town Prot Control
Attitude of Officials to Visiting Yachtsmen 100% OK but lots of paper work
Repair/Hauling Facilities The harbour has a 100 ton slip but this normally has a fishing boat on it. The Club has a 15 ton crane. This is probably OK to 8 tonnes but 6 may be safer.
Sailing Directions or Charts CHARTS: SAN 1015 BA 2082 INT 2682 or SAN 119 which covers False Bay to Cape Town and beyond. Entry is simple but leading lights do not exist. The harbour entrance lights are not visible until the vessel has gone past and made a turn to Port. Entrance is Ok in good weather at night but caution is needed in poor visibility. DISCLAIMER!! all info taken from our 'C MAP ' chart plotter, We expect navigators to have their own charts and use them as required. Positions as arriving at HOUT BAY from Cape Point light house CAPE POINT LIGHT 34?21’355 S 18?29’886 E 19.82 NM from Hout Bay SLANGKOP LIGHT 34?08’866 S 18?19’202 E 6.04 NM from Hout Bay ISOLATED DANGERs, CHAPMANS BAY, Vulcan Rock, outside Hout bay, not a problem, it is well to port when arriving from Cape Point, you can go inside of it when moving on to Cape Town but its position must be known about, it is unlit and un marked. VULCAN ROCK breaks most of the time 34?04’030 S 18?17’030 E A second danger is in Hout Bay itself: REEF or LEDGE inside Hout Bay, submerged and on the Port side of Hout Bay proper, it is a half way inside and runs out about 100 mtrs, maybe a bit less, it can be seen at low tide and is marked by Kelp but no bouy or light. Look for 'FISH ON THE ROCKS ' a retail outlet on the outside of the harbour, the reef runs out from just before that point. Simple to enter the bay down the centre, leaving this reef to Port by a long way. CENTRE OF Hout Bay entrance 34?04’261 S 18?20’633 E Hout Bay Harbour Mouth entrance 34?03’036 S 18?21’077 E
Cruising Guide and where Obtainable. Include Phone and/or E-Mail You may be able to source the 'SA Nautical Almanac ',5th edition,2002/2003 it may now be out of print but an old copy will suit travellers on our coasts, pictures and lots of detail on all ports and facilities. Try: onboardpublications@hotmail.com
Port Radio Services Club Marina manager watches 16 and 71 15) Weather Forecasts Cape Town Radio or Met office 082 231 1640
Yacht Club(S) Hout bay Yacht Club – Sail Atlantic Boat Club - Fishing
Other Facilities: drinking water 100% OK in Marina and all harbour walls fuel Three vendors. Diesel and petrol gas (propane)/gaz In Village, 5 Kg cylinders on exchange chandlers Good hardware and Fishing Chandler. Others in Cape Town. bank All major banks shops/market Lots to chose from in walking distance restaurants/hotels Too many! post office/telephones including mobile facilities All available internet cafes Yes best mailing address Hout Bay Yacht Club – PO box 73 Hout bay 7872. showers New Club House, one year old and very nice. laundry In the village. Will collect and give a discount. transport/air services Bus to town each hour? medical facilities/hospital Doctors and Dentists
Recommendations or Warnings Phone marina manager Peter Godley on 021 790 7095 or 082 446 9424 to arrange a suitable berth up to 50 ft long. Other by arrangement. About £40 per month plus temporary membership.
Other Information – . The name Hout Bay comes from the Dutch word for wood. Back in 1700 and before sailing ships would enter the bay to cut down trees for masts and spars, most trees are now long gone but we still have some fine stands of local white pine left. The HBYC is about twenty years old, starting as a Beach Sailing club its members moved on to becoming a Yacht Club proper once marina space became available in the harbour some fifteen years or so back. The club moved to a dedicated harbour site just a while back. The new double story club house is just one year old. The club is not on the water but set back about thirty meters or so. it is a short walk along the harbour wall to the marina. The marina has security by way of a closed gate with security Guards. You are still the best person to judge how effective they may be on any given day however! Theft from the marina and its boats is not seen to be a problem The marina has some 222 slots, many of which are taken, all except a small few are privately owned, some are for hire, either short or long stays, by negotiation. Stays in excess of six months is not normally allowed but the club is open to discussion on the matter. Monthly rates are around R550 per month, plus temporary membership of the HBYC to cover the cost of showers and suchlike. The bay itself is one of the Capes better bays. It forms a perfect cover for the well protected harbour. High winds are not uncommon. This is quite normal, the same for other clubs. At least two bow and stem lines is the norm, if the wind swings to the east. Expect high winds. The weather service can normally predict such blows in good time as pressure ridges form . VHF / HF weather services and other (amateur services) are regular along all South African coasts. Hout Bay is also Home to the Sea Rescue station. 8 fully rigged rescue craft are on 24 hour stand by. Hout Bay is a very good place to relax and take things easy before the next leg and across the South Atlantic, or to winter over and enjoy its many walk, side walk cafes and market stalls on the weekend. It is above all else a friendly Village.
Port Elizabeth Please note the date of this report and treat with CAUTION
Submitted by John and Pat Driscoll – Moonlight of Down.
Date 1999
Harbour or Area Covered Port Elizabeth R.S.A. 33?57’S 25?38’E
Suitability and Attraction for Yachts Makes a good stop off or port of refuge on a passage from Richards Bay or Durban to the Cape.
Marinas, Berthing or Anchorage On approaching Port Elizabeth call Port Control on VHF Ch 16 (Working Ch 12) for permission to enter. Follow the South Breakwater around past the Tanker Berth and the Bulk Terminal and enter the Marina by leaving the green can at the south end of the wave boom to starboard. Tie up at a vacant berth and report to the club office. It is recommended that one telephones ahead to arrange a berth. The first three days are free.
Entry Ports Richards Bay, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
Formal Requirements for Yachts Entering/Departing: a) from/to same country No Immigration/Customs formalities necessary for yachts with coastal clearances to/from Durban and the Cape. The club gets you to complete a new ‘Flight Plan’ (Passage Plan) which they submit to Port Control. b) from/to abroad There are Health, Immigration and Customs at the port but procedures were not ascertained. c) visa requirements Visas will be issued to yachts crews on arrival from foreign ports. For further details see Richards Bay or Durban information sheets.
Location/Existence of: a) harbour master Port Control b) customs/immigration Not seen c) health authorities Not seen d) police In town 9) Control of Foreign Yachts If staying more than one year Customs might require you to register your boat in S.A. and pay import duty. However, this does not appear to be applied at present.
Repair/Hauling Facilities There is a hard standing at the club and the 30-ton Harbour Mobile Crane can be hired to lift out. Grit blasting of steel yachts not allowed at the club. In 1999 two international steel cruising yachts were being slipped, grit blasted and painted by contractors in the port area.
Sailing Directions or Charts SAN 1024/1025 BA 641 S.A. Nautical Almanac.
Port Radio Services Port Elizabeth Port Control. VHF Ch 16 (Working Ch 12).
Weather Forecasts Port Elizabeth Radio ZSQ. VHF Ch 27 and 4363 KHZ SSB at 0933, 1340 and 1733 UTC. NAVTEX (I) 0920 and 1720 UTC.
Yacht Club(S) The Algoa Bay Yacht Club appears the only place for yachts to berth. The first three days are free then you pay berthing fees (1999 R20 per day) and club usage fee (1999 R6 per person per day). Toilets, hot showers, telephones, fax and bar facilities. The Chartroom Restaurant operates at lunch times and on Wednesday and Friday evenings. It is best to book as it is popular and often full. Staff welcoming and helpful. Tel:- (041) 585 4058, Fax:- (041) 586 0095, Email:- 1276190@beltel.co.za.
Other Facilities: drinking water Water on the pontoons. No electricity. fuel For fuel enquire at club. Fuel is reportedly available at the fish jetty but fisherman unreceptive to yachts using the facility. Local boats appear to keep topped up by can. gas (propane)/gaz Not ascertained. chandlers Star Marine in town. Will call and collect customers from Yacht Club. bank Several in town with ATM’s for Visa shops/market Humewood Shopping Centre on the hill above the club has a small but comprehensive Spar supermarket. Twenty minutes walk across the railway tracks and across the highway. The Bridge/Greenacres shopping malls, twenty minutes bus ride from the city centre but terminus, are very comprehensive with full facilities. restaurants/hotels Port Elizabeth is a resort town and has many restaurants / hotels. post office/telephones including mobile facilities Post Office in city centre. Pay/card phones at Yacht Club. International Direct Dialling, International Operator 0900, BT Direct 0800 990 144 FREE, ATT Direct 0800 990 123 FREE. internet cafes best mailing address C/o Algoa Bay Yacht Club, P.O. Box 1034, Port Elizabeth, R.S.A. 6000. showers Yacht Club laundry Humewood Shopping Centre. transport/air services Good local bus service from the terminal by the ‘Clock Tower’ adjacent to main dock gates. Local domestic airport. medical facilities/hospital Suitable private hospitals / clinics in town.
Recommendations or Warnings The marina is subject to the ingress of Easterly swell into the harbour. Surging is severe at times. Local boats generally incorporate rubber snubbers or springs into their mooring lines. Doubled nylon mooring lines are recommended. The marina is down wind to the Manganese Ore loading berth. The yachts get covered in a fine black dust when bulk carriers are loading. Constant washing down is essential. It is recommended that efforts be made to wash/wipe down the mast, cross trees, shrouds and lazy jacks before departure to stop getting unsightly marks on the sails
Other Information – If you missed seeing elephants in the game parks to the north, a visit to the Adoo National Elephant Park is recommended. Here the water holes are situated/controlled to make elephant sightings almost a certainty.
Richards Bay Please note the dates of this report and treat with CAUTION
1) Information Submitted by Mark Scott & Liz Hammick - Lone Rival Tom Morgan, OCC, author - S.A. Nautical Almanac John and Pat Driscoll – Moonlight of Down.
2) Date 1990 , 1997, 1999, 2012
3) Harbour or Area Covered Include Lat & Long Richards Bay, Republic of South Africa. 28° 49’ S 32° 06’E
4) Suitability and Attraction for Yachts Very good
5) Marinas, Berthing or Anchorage When approaching Richards Bay, call Port Control on VHF 16, approximately 2 hours before reaching the entrance. Proceed to the to the Small Craft Harbour, where clearing procedures are completed, but may take several days. In the meantime it is sufficient for one person to remain on board with passports and papers. The Zululand Yacht Club has finger piers available for international boats up to 15 metres in length. The liveaboard tax at the ZLYC has recently escalated to almost R100/person/month. This can be avoided by tying up to the Portnet wall in the small craft harbour -free for a month. If leaving to go to the Kruger National Park for 2 weeks, the Tuzi Gazi waterfront mooring @ R30 per day inclusive, could be the cheapest solution. Leaving your boat on the Portnet wall unattended is not recommended.
6) Entry Ports Richards Bay, Durban, Port Elizabeth & Cape Town.
7) Formal Requirements for Yachts Entering/Departing: a) from/to same country Must notify immigration & Port Control b) from/to abroad Coastal clearance from last port. Clearance required by Immigration and Customs. Port Control advises authorities then advises you of procedure. c) visa requirements Visas are issued on arrival for yachts’ crews though only some nationalities need them
8) Location/Existence of:
a) harbour master Referred to as Port Control
b) customs/immigration Located in nearby Empangeni
c) health authorities
d) police
9) Control of Foreign Yachts Indefinite stay, no duty unless sold
10) Attitude of Officials to Visiting Yachtsmen Efficient and helpful
11) Repair/Hauling Facilities There is a cradle with wheels that can be rolled down the boat ramp. This is often booked in advance by permanent members. It is only available for a few days at a time. This would not be a convenient place to haul out except in an emergency.
12) Sailing Directions or Charts BA 2088 has a harbour inset. USDMA Sailing Directions, Pub 171, includes a harbour chart and USDMA light list has the correct light characteristics.
13) Cruising Guide and where Obtainable. Include Phone and/or E-Mail
14) Port Radio Services VHF Ch 26, 4186 khz & 8740 khz @ 0903Z and 1703Z
15) Weather Forecasts
16) Yacht Club(S) The Zululand Yacht club is the only place to stay. International yachts receive a complimentary bottle of local champagne on arrival! The hospitality of this club is only matched by their helpfulness to visiting yachts.
17) Other Facilities:
drinking water Water and Electricity (240V 50Hz) on pontoons at T.G. Marina and ZLYC.
fuel Fuel Dock at ZLYC. Accessible on top half of tide only. Neglected installation not recommended as one yacht that refuelled there clogged its filters on next passage. In 2012 Carlos on 083 3000 624 will supply diesel to the Tuzi Gazi quay from a small tanker.
Gas (propane)/gaz CBD Industrial Area. They filled American bottles. Camping gas bottles are not filled in S.A. as they are below local specification.
chandlers Small chandlery at club. Major items are brought up from Durban bank Several in town which can cope with Visa etc.
shops/market Good, cheap produce in S. Africa.
restaurants/hotels Restaurants on site at Tuzi Gazi Waterfront. Restaurants and hotels 20 minutes walking distance from ZLYC, but the walk is no longer recommended for security reasons.
post office/telephones including mobile facilities P.O. in CBD. Very busy. Can clear mail by Past Nat (a private mail company) in the Boardwalk Mall CBD. Collect/credit card international calls from pay/card phones. Phones at T.G. Marina and ZLYC. International Operator 0900. BT Direct 0800 990 144 FREE. ATT Direct 0800 990 123 FREE.
internet cafes best
mailing address ZLYC P.O. Box 10387 Meerensee 3901 R.S.A., by prior arrangement c/o Tuzi Gazi Waterfront Ltd., P.O. Box 9700, Tuzi Gazi, Richards Bay 3900, R.S.A. Contact numbers as in paragraph 5 b). showers Hot showers at T.G. Marina and ZLYC.
laundry On site laundry at T.G. Waterfront. Coin operated machines at ZLYC.
transport/air services The one liability in staying at Richards Bay is the lack of adequate, local transport. There are no buses from the club and taxis are very expensive. Fortunately, members of the club often announce if they are going into town. It is a 20 min walk to the nearest convenience store (unsafe 1999). The CBD is not within walking distance of T.G. Marina or ZLYC. Yachts people normally take a taxi the CBD and often share the trip. A taxi to Durban Airport in 1999 was R350, cheaper than a one-way hire car. Daily bus to Durban which departs Richards Hotel at 0600 and leaves Durban at 1630 for the 2½ hour ride.
medical facilities/hospital In nearby Empangeni. Anything serious would be transferred to Durban.
18) Recommendations or Warnings In 1999 good tinned meats were no longer available in S.A. The choice was limited to spaghetti and meatballs and corned beef/mutton. Biltong is S.A. dried meat normally chewed as a snack. The butchers (inc Zululand Meats CBD) will vacuum pack sliced biltong to order (say 500 gram packs) which can be used for salads. In spite of what some people say it cannot be reconstituted. We tried and it made us sick. Mike Thoyes on ‘KINSA’ reports “chopped fine it makes a good risotto!. We did not come across this type of Biltong other than in Richards Bay.
19) Other Information – please include here general impressions, opinions, comments or any other matter which might be of use to those visiting. Richards Bay is close to the game parks, particularly Hluhluwe which can be visited as a day trip. If possible go to the Kruger National Park. It is difficult to explain the incredible experience of seeing the wildlife in its natural habitat.
Dec2013 update by Peter Royston
12a) Beware silting in the channel from the main shipping fairway to the Zululand marina. Advice is to keep slightly to port of centreline when in vicinity of Pelican island. Two 14m yachts aground on sand (?)this month.
16a) No perceived dangers walking to and from the main waterfront area from Zululand Marina but torch advisable at night for the unlit section. No evening meals at club on Sunday nor any meals on Monday.
17a) Local taxis appear OK for shopping. Otherwise 45 mins walk from Zululand marina to supermarket mall. Longer from the waterfront marina!
Simonstown Please note the date of this report and treat with CAUTION
Submitted by John and Pat Driscoll – Moonlight of Down.
Date 1999.
Harbour or Area Covered Simon’s Town R.S.A. 34?11’S 18?26’E.
Suitability and Attraction for Yachts Both an excellent port of call and alternative to Cape Town. The Yacht Club is in the centre of the small historic and interesting town. Simon’s Town was the old British Naval Base and is now the main S.A. Naval Base.
Marinas, Berthing or Anchorage Naval port control does not deal with yachts. There is no civilian port control. The Yacht Club does not maintain a VHF watch. It is advisable to liaise with the yacht club regarding berthing by telephone from the previous port. Due to the presence of unlit mooring buoys and the configuration of the marina a first time approach into the mooring/marina at night is not recommended. The Yacht Club has moorings of the club and has four working berths at the private marina.
Entry Ports Richards Bay, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Saldanha Bay.
Formal Requirements for Yachts Entering/Departing: a) from/to same country International Yachts arriving at Simon’s Town are on Coastal Clearances. Yachts must report to Immigration and Customs, in that order at the Customs House in Cape Town on arrival. Normally the following day is acceptable. The Yacht Club will advise the detailed directions/procedures. Departures:- Immigration and Customs, Cape Town, will issue onward coastal clearances. A ‘Flight Plan’ (Passage Plan) must be submitted to Cape Town Port Control through the Yacht Club. b) from/to abroad Simon’s Town is not a port of entry. Foreign departure is permitted. Clear out at Immigration then Customs at the Custom House Cape Town. Take two copies of a letter from the FBYC advising that the yacht is leaving in good standing. The Yacht Club will advise the detailed directions/procedures. Departures should be made within 36 hours of clearing out at Customs. c) visa requirements
Location/Existence of: a) harbour master Non-for yachts b) customs/immigration Both located at ‘Customs House’ Cape Town c) health authorities d) police In town
Control of Foreign Yachts No duty unless sold. If staying more than one year Customs might require you to register you boat in S.A. and pay import duty.
Attitude of Officials to Visiting Yachtsmen Efficient and helpful
Repair/Hauling Facilities The FBYC has a wheeled cradle that is rolled down the boat ramp. Its capacity is 20 tons and its operation is tide dependant according to draft. It is often booked in advance by permanent members. It is only available for a few days at a time. A time limit is being introduced. A naval mobile crane can be hired to lift boats from the boat ramp at HW onto the hard standing.
Sailing Directions or Charts SAN 1016 and 1017 BA 636 and 1849. S.A. Nautical Almanac
Port Radio Services Cape Town Radio ZSC. VHF Ch 26. 4435 KHZ and 8719 KHZ SSB at 0948, 1333 and 1748 UTC. NAUTEX (C) 1220 and 1620 UTC
Yacht Club(S) The False Bay Yacht Club (FBYC) is the only practical place to stay. The club has four marina berths, known as working berths for boats on the club moorings. Otherwise the marina berths are privately owned by individuals. The club will put you in contact with a vacant berth owner for you to negotiate an arrangement. Normally the rates are in the range of R350 – 500 per month, pro rate (1999). The club is most welcoming. There are three-day free temporary memberships after which they charge. In 1999 temporary membership for a couple is R120/month (pro rata). The club usage fee for staying aboard you yacht is R6/person/day. Tel: (021) 786 1703, Fax (021) 786 3925.
Other Facilities: drinking water Water and electricity (240v) on the pontoons fuel Fuel dock at end of municipal jetty adjacent to club gas (propane)/gaz False Bay Yacht Services provide a service. American fitting bottles can be filled but Camping Gas bottles are not filled as they do not meet S.A. regulations chandlers False Bay Yacht Services at the club. Small chandlery with basic items. Other items bought in from supplier’s overnight. bank Two in town with ATM’s for Visa shops/market Basics available in town. Major shopping at the supermarkets in Fishoak and Sun Valley. Transport required restaurants/hotels Several restaurants a few minutes walk from the club post office/telephones including mobile facilities Post Office in the Quayside Centre. Pay/card phones at the club. International Direct Dialling, International Operator 0900, BT Direct 0800 990 144 FREE, ATT Direct 0800 990 123 FREE internet cafes best mailing address C/o False Bay Yacht Club, Box 45, Simon’s Town, 7995, R.S.A showers laundry transport/air services The Cape Town Metro terminates at Simon’s Town. Station twenty minutes walk from Yacht Club. Hourly service throughout the day. More frequent in morning/evening peaks. Journey time averages seventy minutes. There is an infrequent bus service in the area. Not tried major international/domestic airport at Cape Town medical facilities/hospital False Bay Hospital at Fishoak
Recommendations or Warnings The Simon’s Town Museum and the S.A. Naval Museum are well worth a visit Private driver Anton Schoonhoven Tel:- 021 786 2662, does tours of the wine lands, Cape Peninsular and does airport drop offs at very reasonable rates in his Mercedes C250 19) Other Information – please include here general impressions, opinions, comments or any other matter which might be of use to those visiting. Simon’s Town is in a wind acceleration zone in SE winds. The factor is about +50% on Cape Point. When the summer SE blows you can get sustained winds of around 40 knots for three or four days. This makes it difficult to leave. On arrival in these conditions the authors picked u a mooring and berthed in the early morning lull the following day. The area is subject to periods of thick fog. However Hout Bay and Cape Town are subject to similar conditions.