Two (Three?) Changes to Fiji Clearance Procedures

[Michael Homsany]

Hi all,

I've known of these for a while, but I've only just gotten them confirmed. I've also updated the site, http://www.waituimarinafiji.com/clearance.html, which also has lots of other clearance 'stuff' on it about Fiji.

First, there is now a F$9.00 'meal fee' charged if you clear outside of normal working hours (0800-1300, 1400-1630 M-TTh, 0800-1300, 1400-1600 Friday, exclusive of holidays). Please note that the Customs Officers do not get this money, it goes into the general fund. Please do not be rude to the Officers, they are just 'working stiffs', doing their jobs, with families to feed, trying to get on with life best they can, etc. They do not set policy. THEY only get overtime if they work in excess of 48 hours/week.

Second is only applicable if you have weapons on board. If you wish to check out in a different port than that which you checked in at, you will have to pay for a Police Constable to carry the weapon to you. In a recent case, it would have cost F$750 to transport a yacht's weapons from Savusavu to Lautoka. There is no fee assessed if you clear at the same port you arrived at.

Whether or not you have weapons, you are given three (3) hours to up anchor and be underway from the time you clear the country. If you have weapons, you must coordinate with Customs and the Police to place the weapons on board after you have cleared, and before the three hours are up, otherwise you'll be leaving without them. In the words of the cruiser 'If I'd have known how much of a hassle these were going to be, I'd have left them at home, and now I can't get rid of them, and I'm not going to give them to the Police"

Don't even think about not declaring a weapon here. A cruiser was recently arrested in Denerau for having an undeclared air rifle on board.

I'll be posting this around the internet sailing boards, save Cruiser's Forum, who won't let me post there as being 'commercial' (and who else would know more about this than a local? Go figger!).

If you have any further questions, please feel free to drop me an email.

best,
Michael

PS:  This isn't meant, nor will I respond to, a 'gun forum', it's intended for informational purposes only. so if you want to start a flame war, feel free, but I've got better things to do!  ;D

[CharlieJ]

Thanks Micheal.

Few here will find that of use now, but thank you for taking the time to post.

By the way, our Owl anchor light is still attracting attention. One of our best buys. thanks for that also.

[CapnK]

Michael -

I'm with CJ; though we may not be able to use the info right away, it is great dream fodder, and a glimpse into the lifestyle that many of us are working towards. It is helpful to get an idea of what it can be like and maybe some of what to expect, when putting in to distant ports...

Vinaka Vakalevu! (and have a Grog on me) :)

[Michael Homsany]

Thanks CapnK,

Please consider me as a resource of this general part of the world, and if anyone has a queries, it's never a bother to answer questions about sailing around in it.

FWIW, there's a Dana in right now, a very refreshing change from the Sundeer 65's which we've been innundated with between the IRC, Blue Water Rally, and the Island Cruising Association's Annual Cruise.  Twenty years ago, my (then) 28' boat wasn't remarkable upon, and my (now) 38' Downeaster was considered 'big', and now it's tiny.

I saw (from an odd angle) an Amel Super Maramu tieing up, and it actually looked small next to some of the beheamoths.

best,
Michael