Caribbean Compass Yachting Magazine - November 2020

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• Antigua & Barbuda. The Antigua Port Authority is open to cargo vessels, pleasure
craft and ferry services, which are required to follow all protocols issued by Port
Health. Junior Minister for Tourism Sharie De Castro has announced that visitors will
be able to enter through the BVI’s seaports from December 8th. Passengers arriving
by sea from outside the CARICOM bubble are subject to quarantine according to
guidelines issued by Port Health.
Once accepted for entry into St. Vincent & the Grenadines,
proceed to the Young Island Cut.
All arriving passengers must wear a facemask on disembarkation and in all
public areas. Additionally, the wearing of facemasks in public spaces is
mandatory throughout Antigua & Barbuda and physical distancing protocols
must be adhered to. Transiting passengers/crewmembers who require an
overnight stay will be required to proceed to a hotel or government designated
facility to await departure.
All yachts will enter only at the Nevis Street Pier or English Harbour.
If all on board have valid PCR tests, there were no stops at other ports since the
port of origin, and the logged data indicates no Covid-19 symptoms in any member
during the journey, then the time at sea shall be counted toward quarantine time.
• BVI. As this issue of Compass goes to press, the British Virgin Islands seaports
remain closed, but the Beef Island airport is scheduled to open on December 1st,
facilitating those who wish to return to their boat, or purchase or charter one there.
Junior Minister for Tourism Sharie De Castro has announced that visitors will be able
CHRIS DOYLE
to enter through the BVI’s seaports from December 8th.
• St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Before coming to SVG, check latest entry protocols
at http://health.gov.vc/health/index.php/covid-19-protocols-documents.
You must request permission for entry in advance, by e-mail to SVG Arrivals at
svgarrivals@gmail.com, and submit one of the following forms, which they
will supply:
Yachts arriving from the countries within the CARICOM bubble not required to
quarantine will complete a Risk Assessment Form, which must be submitted at least 48
hours prior to arrival in SVG. With the exception of those coming from Barbados, all
arrivals need to show a negative PCR test.
Yachts coming from from all other countries, and thus requiring a test and
quarantine in St. Vincent, will complete a Request for Quarantine Onboard Yacht
application form, which must be submitted at least five days prior to arrival.
Send the completed forms, negative PCR test results, and checkout documents
from your current port to svgarrivals@gmail.com. Once accepted for entry, proceed
to the Young Island Cut and pick up a mooring; an SVG Arrivals representative will
assist you. (Anchoring in the Cut is not permitted due to depth and reversing
currents.) An SVG Arrivals representative will collect your necessary documents and
complete the Customs and Immigration formalities for you, or advise you of further
testing and quarantine requirements if required.
Those entering SVG by air to join a yacht, see the last page at http://health.gov.
vc/health/images/PDF/stories/ SVG_Entry_Via_Sea_COVID_19_Protocol_Yacht.pdf
• Grenada. Before arriving, you must register your yacht’s arrival and date in
Grenada on www.sailclear.com. On arrival, anchor only in the St. George’s
quarantine anchorage. The whole crew dinghies to the Grenada Yacht Club for
initial contact with Grenada Health (Monday through Saturday during business
hours). Bring proof of PCR tests and check-out papers from previous country. Once
Grenada Health Ministry officials have certified you to officially enter Grenada,
proceed by dinghy to the Port Louis Marina Customs and Immigration office.
OUTSIDE THE CARICOM BUBBLE
• Cuba. The Minister of Tourism announced that several Cuban marinas would be
open to international arrivals as of October 19th. As this issue of Compass goes to
press, protocols have not yet been announced. International flights also resumed in
mid-October. Visit www.facebook.com/groups/cubalandandsea for updates.
• St. Maarten. An agent is required for all arriving vessels. If a vessel is arriving from
a low-risk country, no PCR test is required. If a vessel is arriving from a moderate or
high-risk country An rt-PCR test is required 120 hours prior to departure from
immediate last departure point. Such rt-PCR test results, along with all other
entrance documents, must be supplied to a yacht agent in advance of arrival. No
other electronic forms are required for vessel arrival.
If testing was not possible prior to departure from last port, a vessel can enter St.
Maarten under quarantine, with testing to be done within 24 hours of arrival. The
appointed yacht agent can coordinate testing upon request. Vessel must remain
under quarantine until negative results received.
Transit exceptions: A vessel may come to St. Maarten without testing for maximum
48 hours in transit (for fueling, provisioning, etcetera). All on board must remain in
quarantine on board.
Visit https://stmaartenehas.com/travel-requirements for lists of high-, moderateand
low-risk countries, and more information.
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