Important - Advance notice of arrival Fiji waters

[lenseman]

Forwarded (19 OCT 2009) from Noonsite:

Fiji - Advance Notice of Arrival Reminder

Message:
Appreciate it if you could remind yachts, particularly of French origin, that if they come to Fiji at least 48 hours advanced warning should be given to Customs. Some yacht skippers have been fined up to F$4000 for not complying to Section 11A(2) of the Customs Act.

I have helped a number of skippers from being heavily fined after pleading with customs for their ignorance to these laws, however after next month there will be little I can do for them. Their excuse is that it is not printed in French on their websites.

OUR CONTACT FOR CUSTOMS IS: yachtsreport@frca.org.fj
Website: www.frca.org.fj

Appreciate if you could pass this to other websites. Thanks for any help you can give.

Don Bruce
Manager
Royal Suva Yacht club

ATTENTION Tout plaisancier arrivant aux iles Fidji doit avertir les autorités locales au MINIMUM 48h avant leur arrivée dans le pays. A partir de Novembre 2009, aucune excuse ne sera plus acceptée concernant les navires francophones qui prétendent ne pas être au courant de la loi! Une amende de 4000 F$ est la peine en cas d'infraction. Faites passer le mot autour de vous!!!

Courriel de contact des autorités fidjiennes: yachtsreport@frca.org.fj
site web: www.frca.org.fj

Pour rappel, toute arrivée en AUSTRALIE doit elle, être annoncée 96h d'avance sous sanction de peines lourdes aussi

 

[AndrewB]

As at October 2009, Customs at Savusavu, Fiji, where the majority of yachts arrive (other than from NZ), take absolutely no notice of the advance forms that have to be faxed. They do not check whether one has been sent. The same forms have to be completed on arrival.

Just another example of meaningless third-world bureauocracy? Perhaps, but a lot of time and money wasted by yachties trying to fax them as required from Samoa or Tonga, from where it seems to be very difficult to get through to Fiji Customs fax machines.

 

[estarzinger]

Just another example of meaningless third-world bureauocracy?

Unfortunately no, its a by product of the 'war on terror'. An international resolution was passed (spearheaded by USA & UK & Australia) to require prior arrival announcement and tracking of all small vessels entering foreign waters. Many countries (Ecuador, Australia, Fiji, etc) have been trying to implement this poorly thought out requirement. All it has accomplished is putting a burden on yachts trying to obey the law and certainly is not going to stop any terrorists.

 

[rivonia]

Figi waters

Excuse my ignorance but does this apply to ALL vessels that want to sail into the figian waters?

Peter

 

[lenseman]

Excuse my ignorance but does this apply to ALL vessels that want to sail into the figian waters?

Peter

Hello Peter, to make it simple for you:

Go to the Fiji web site (http://www.frca.org.fj/) and click on the header called 'Employees & Travellers' then click on the drop down menu called 'Visiting Yachts and Vessels'.

There you will see a part called 'Cruise vessel arrival' and the first paragraph has a further document about 'Advanced Notice of Arrival Form'. This document is in Word format and you will need to download and complete and return it via email 48 hours BEFORE you arrive.

Also note, from the same web site:

http://www.frca.org.fj/docs/visiting_yachts_vessels/Advanced Notice Of Arrival.htm

I hope this helps?

 

[rivonia]

Figi

Many thanks David, as helpful as ever
Peter

 

[lenseman]

Many thanks David, as helpful as ever
Peter

: blush:

Safe passage to you. I hope the big earthquake today 00:51 22 OCT, has not effected your plans, MMS (Richter) = 6.1, at Panama 10kms below the sea bed!

 

[rivonia]

figi

Hi David, it will be a little while before we are back down your way, just wanted to keep up to date.

Thanks Peter