Andaman Sea Pilot - the definitive cruising guide for the Andaman Sea...and more

The definitive guide to 380 anchorages in more than one million square miles of ocean

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PLEASURE YACHT CLEARANCES FOR ENTERING INDONESIA

We strongly recommend that all yachts visiting Indonesia obtain a cruising permit and all on board have visitor visas in advance. To enter Indonesia all crew passports must be valid for more than 6 months after date of entry.

As of 1st February 2004, new visa laws have highlighted country categories so please check with the nearest Indonesian consulate for your requirement.

Yachts without a cruising permit may stop in Indonesia for 48 hours only, in serious emergency and at only 1 port of entry of listed ports.

Cruising and Security Permit
This is also referred to as the CAIT and must be obtained in advance of arrival from a recognized agent. The details to be sent with the application to cruise Indonesian waters are:

(a) Yacht Identification. Copy of ship’s papers, crew list and any communication certificates (call sign).

(b) The planned cruising route including intended stop over locations and approximate dates. This should be as detailed as possible to avoid later poor interpretation by officials. Restricted areas in Indonesia where special permission is required are later noted.

(c) Copies of the front page of all crew passports and most 3 most recent visa pages.

(d) A letter of acknowledgement from the Embassy of origin of the respective Capt/Owner in Jakarta (or place where cruising permit is being initiated) stating they are aware that this person will be in Indonesian waters for the dates stated.

This letter should be addressed to the following Indonesia departments:

• Foreign Affairs
• Tourism
• Defense & Security
• Sea Communications

All letters should read similar to the following:

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

The [Country of origin] Embassy, [Address] Jakarta,
Certifies that: [Capt/Owner Name] ......................
holder of [country of origin] passport number ......................
is a citizen of [country of origin] and this passport is valid and recognized.

[Capt/ Owner name] states they are the Capt/Owner of the yacht [Name], registered in [Country] registration number ……………., call sign ……………… and request Indonesian approval for a Cruising & Security permit, CAIT, to enter and travel in Indonesian waters.

Signed by Consul or Representative.

Preparatory document gathering and application processing can take up to 1 month with an average fee of US $300 per vessel. This fee varies with different agents or representatives.

The Cruising Permit is valid for 3 months from the date of entry to Indonesia as stated on the permit. It is important to accurately specify this date as an early arrival will bring official problems at port of entry and a late arrival will only reduce your cruising time in the country. The 3 month time limit starts from the date specified on the permit.

It is possible to obtain a 3 month extension of the Cruising permit remembering that this applies for each individual crew member’s visa as well.

Crew wishing to join or leave the boat in Indonesia by air may receive attention at airports. Crew arriving by air should have a copy of the Cruising & Security permit with them to avoid the need for a return air ticket.

Planned crew departures should be stated clearly to officials on arrival and arrangements made to ensure immigrations understanding of this. A copy of the crew list at departure point is always helpful.

An unscheduled crewmember departure will require further Immigration department approval.

In all cases, an agent or Indonesian-speaking representative versed in dealing with government officials is advised. In most cases, a service charge will apply.

It is advisable to take multiple copies of the Cruising permit, crew passport front pages, visa page and ship documents to avoid handing originals to officials during your travels.

Pt Etindmar offers a wide range of support and application services for all aspects of vessel travel though Indonesia.

Clearance
Arriving at ones designated port of entry, the edict dictates that you should fly the Q flag and wait for the relevant officials to arrive at your vessel or direct you for inspections and clearance; no one on board should go ashore.

This invariably does not happen and the vessel representative should go ashore to make contact and to seek out the relevant departments, starting with the Harbour Master, who will be able to direct you to the other relevant offices required:

• Quarantine
• Customs
• Immigration
• Port Authority
• Quarantine & Customs

Quarantine and Customs officials often require to inspect the vessel.

Firearms on the boat must be declared and may be left on board if they are locked and sealed. If not, they will be taken ashore and bonded until the yacht leaves. No matter which way it goes, firearms will draw excessive attention from officials.

Animals must remain on board on most islands. There are severe penalties in Bali for landing animals.

Alcohol and cigarettes will also draw some official attention upon vessel inspection.

In a recent legislation revision...
"ALL PLEASURE YACHTS MUST ONLY CHECK INTO THE FIRST INDONESIAN PORT OF CALL AND OUT OF THE LAST PORT OF CALL BEFORE LEAVING INDONESIAN WATERS."

It is no longer necessary to clear in and out of each harbour as in the past. For more info on Indonesia or to employ an agent visit www.etindmar.com

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book is accurate, the charts of anchorages are based on personal experience and satellite imagery and are intended as a guide only. They should not be used for navigation. Please refer to Official Hydrographic charts of the respective countries.

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