Everything You Need to Know

There are a few rules when approaching the island of Barbados and can be found in the following guide. These include:

1. APPROACHES TO BRIDGETOWN - ADMIRALTY CHART NO: 502
  • (a) Yachts approaching the island are requested to call the Signal Station on VHF Channel 12 and inform the Radio Operator of their intention. The Radio Operator will inform the Master whether permission is granted for him to enter the Deep Water Harbour directly on arrival or proceed to the Shallow Draught Berth. No yacht is to proceed to Carlisle Bay anchorage prior to clearing in with the regulatory agencies.
  • (b) The Signal Station of the Deep Water Harbour lies in position latitude 13 06' North, longitude 59 38' West (at the northern extremity of Carlisle Bay) the latter of which provides good holding ground for anchorage and where the Careenage
    is situated for berthing small vessels and yachts.
  • (c) The Deep Water Harbour is easily identified during daylight hours by the three sugar towers and the Beacon on the north end of the Breakwater.
  • (d) The characteristics of this light (No. 5811) are - flashing three red every ten seconds, visible twelve miles on a red and yellow mast fifteen meters above sea level.
  • (e) The southern extremity of Carlisle Bay would be identified at night by a sector light (No. 5807) at Needham's Point, the characteristics of which are - flashing red every eight seconds, visible three miles and fixed on a red mast thirteen meters above sea level.
  • (f) The Mole Head (entrance to Careenage) is identified by a light flashing red every ten seconds visible for two miles. It is fixed on a silver mast eight meters above sea level.
2. DEEP WATER HARBOUR
  • (a) Having obtained permission to enter the Deep Water Harbour, the Yacht Master must keep in constant communication with the Signal Station on Channel 12 on VHF (call sign 8 PAPA BRAVO), so as to ensure that there is no other vessel maneuvering inside the Harbour. Enter at a safe speed and proceed to berth as assigned by the Signal Station.


N.B. The "Q" or Quarantine (yellow) flag must be hoisted immediately when the vessel is within the boundaries of the Harbour until she is cleared.

3. CUSTOMS CLEARANCE INWARDS AND OUTWARDS
  • (a) Government has arranged for Health, Customs and Immigration Officers to be present at the Passenger Terminal, Bridgetown Harbour, from 0600 hours to 2200 hours, seven days per week for the purpose of entering and clearing yachts
  • (b) There are no additional fees for entering and clearing during the above hours.
  • (c) Clearance for arrival and departure will be granted only in the Deep Water Harbour and at Port St. Charles.
  • (d) Yacht Masters requiring further information should contact the Harbour Master at Harbour Master 246 434 6100 (Office) or the Signal Station on VHF CH 12 or telephone number 246 434 6102.
  • (e) Stamps and communication facilities are available at the Tourist InformationOffice in the Passenger Terminal.
4. BERTHS IN THE CAREENAGE

Alongside berths are available in the inner basin of the Careenage and for further details, Yacht Masters should apply to the Office of the Manager, Marine Services/Harbour Master, telephone number 246 434 6100.

5. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR INWARD CLEARANCE
  • (a) Customs-
    • Three copies of "C61" Forms
    • Clearance from the last Port of Call.
    • One copy of Crew List.
  •  (b) Immigration
    • Two copies of the Crew List.
    • All passports
  • (c) Health Officer
    • One copy of the Health Report.
6. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR OUTWARD CLEARANCE
  • (a) Barbados Port Inc.
    • One copy of the Port Authority's Clearance.
  • (b) Customs
    • One copy of the Outward Clearance.
    • One copy of the Crew List.
  • (c) Immigration
    • One copy of the Crew List.
    • All passports.
7. ANCHORAGE AFTER INWARD CLEARANCE HAS BEEN GRANTED

All foreign yachts are requested to anchor in Carlisle Bay in an area north of the Bandstand and in the vicinity of the Boat Yard.

8. CRUISING OR ANCHORING ALONG THE COAST
  • (a) A vessel desirous of cruising or anchoring along the coast must obtain permission from the Customs Boarding Officer and the Harbour Master’s office, preferably on arrival at the time of reporting. Subsequent contact requesting such permission can be made by  contacting the Boarding Officer at telephone number 246 430 2355 or on VHF Channel 16.
  • (b) No yacht will be permitted to charter, rent, lease or engage in any other activities for monetary gain while visiting in Barbados.
9. DISEMBARKATION OR TRANSFER
  • (a) Any crew member of a yacht wishing to sever connection after the vessel has been cleared, must go to the Immigration Office accompanied by the Master who will indicate whether or not he approves before the Immigration Officer grants him permission to disembark.
  • (b) If permission is granted for the crew member to leave the vessel, all baggage and other personal property must be taken to the Customs Officer in the Passenger Terminal for examination. The Customs Boarding Officer and the Baggage Officer must also be informed prior to any property being removed from the vessel.
10. REPAIR FACILITIES

Should there be the need to carry out repairs, the Master should contact Mr. Willie Hassell at telephone number 246 424 1808 for the following facilities:-

  • (i) Space for dry-docking on shore at the Shallow Draught Facility.
  • (ii) Lifting out of the water and transportation to dock storage position.
11. CHARGES PAYABLE TO THE BARBADOS PORT INC. (Marine Charges For Yachts In Port)
  • (1) Vessels 50 meters & under: BBD$412.50 for the first 2 days and BBD$110.00 for each additional 24 hours.
  • (2) Vessels 51 meters to 100 meters: BBD$9.35 per meter for the first 2 days and BBD$3.30 per meter for any additional 24 hours.
  • (3) Vessels 101 meters and over: BBD$11.00 per meter for the first 2 days and BBD$5.50 per meter for any additional 24 hours.
  • (4) Yachts under 50 meters and under berthed in Carlisle Bay pay a flat fee of BBD$110.00.
  • (5) Yachts over 50 meters pay BBD$412.50.

For yachts calling at the port on Public Holidays, the above rates are
increased by 50%.

Water: BBD$12.00 per ton

Solid Waste Removal: BBD$540.00 per skit – 1 skit=6M³

(Currency exchange rate: US$1.00 equals BDD$2.00)

12. OUTWARD CLEARANCE IS VALID FOR TWENTY FOUR (24) HOURS AFTER IT HAS BEEN GRANTED.
  • (a) A vessel must not however return to anchorage but must proceed from the Deep Water Harbour directly to sea and towards her next port of call.
  • (b) The foregoing rates and fees are subject to revision from time to time.
  • (c) An official receipt must be obtained for every payment made.
  • (d) Legal action will be taken against any vessel responsible for polluting the coastal waters, or the waters of any harbour, waterway, etc.
  • (e) In the event of a fire or other emergencies, the Barbados Coast Guard can be contacted immediately on VHF Channel 16, call code 8 PAPA ZULU or by telephone at 246 430 4782.
  • (f) The Signal Station can be contacted on a twenty-four hour basis on VHF Channels 12 and 16 or by telephone at 246 434 6100 Ext. 4306
13. BARBADOS PORT INC. CLEARANCE
  • (a) The Master of any yacht anticipating to depart the island on must endeavor to obtain the Barbados Port Inc. Clearance.
  • (b) This Clearance may be obtained from the Supervisor of the Mooring Gang daily between 0500-1300hrs and 1600-2400hrs who will issue the document after being paid the anchorage /clearance fees of BDD$100.00 in the form of a receipt.
  • (c) This Barbados Port Inc. Clearance can then be presented to the Customs Officer who will then issue a final Clearance from the country.