Welcome to Durban, a Sailor's Guide by Tony Herrick.

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A few excerpts from the free booklet "Welcome to Durban - a Sailors Guide" by Tony Herrick.

DURBAN:
Introduction:
Durban is probably the best port in South Africa to get boat work done, obtain marine supplies, charts, spare parts, re-stock the galley and in fact almost anything one could desire. The yacht basin and 'International Jetty' are situated right in the heart of the city with Victoria Embankment and Fenton Road (South Africa's Sailing Lane) containing many of the marine shops, interesting restaurants and food stores to tempt you. These are the first two streets that you will came across. .....(more in the booklet)

Welcome:
Durban is the Sunshine City of South Africa, the Rainbow Nation.
There are few places in the world where you can get off your boat, walk across a road and be in the city. Add to this a clean harbour, mild climate, friendly people and moorings placed so that the city does not intrude, it is no wonder Durban has become a favourite stopover for yachts from all over the world - over 400 yachts per annum are now choosing the Cape of Good Hope route instead of the Red Sea. (see South Africa Welcomes Cruisers)

Durban is spread around a broad lagoon, which is well protected from the prevalent NE and SW winds. The harbour, entered by a narrow channel, has a long history dating back to 1497. It is a major tourist city with hotels, restaurants and entertainment catering for every taste. It is a great place to relax, refit and provision.

Durban's climate is sub-tropical throughout the year with high humidity levels at certain times and you will find that most restaurants and hotels permit casual wear with the exception of those that are very up-market.

Most yacht marinas are secure, however, as with any other city in the world, being seen as a tourist makes a traveller vulnerable. Follow these basic precautions to ensure your visit is a trouble free one.

Never pull out your passport or money in a public place.
Avoid displays of jewellery, cameras and other valuables. It is not advisable to carry large sums of money.
Steer clear of dark and isolated areas at night. Stay in groups and stick to well lit and busy streets.

Landfall - arriving at Durban Port:
(For FULL, updated details see the booklet)
Contact the signal tower in advance (some 6/8 miles off) by radio (VHF channel 9) and warn them of your imminent arrival. Request permission to enter when approaching the entrance (hold a little north or south of the busy entrance channel). The signal tower keeps listening on VHF 16 & 9 and SSB 2182 kHz. To establish radio contact with the Signal Tower call "Durban Port Control", VHF 9 (working channel).

There are 2 radio stations associated with Durban Harbour:

"Durban Port Control" - situated in the signal tower and controls shipping into and out of Durban. Keeps listening watch on VHF Ch.16 & 9 and SSB 2182. ALL craft to call up on their working channel - 9 VHF
"Durban Radio" - situated in Pinetown, 16 kms inland and handles radiophone calls, puts out weather reports and will relay messages to Durban Port Control if necessary.

Lights on top of the tower are used to warn approaching vessels of shipping movements through the entrance channel.
NO LIGHT - Channel clear for use
RED LIGHT - Ship leaving harbour - keep clear of entrance.
GREEN LIGHT - Ship entering port - keep clear of entrance.
FLASHING RED - Harbour entrance closed to shipping.
ALWAYS call Durban Harbour Radio (VHF 9) for permission to proceed through the channel. (See booklet for harbour channel details).

Foreign yachts may be met at the end of the channel by the SA Police Coast Patrol, which will escort the yacht to a holding area. Alternatively, Durban Port Control may advise you to proceed to the International Jetty in the Silburn Channel next to the Durban Marina, or the Small Craft Basin which is on your starboard side after you have cleared the harbour entrance.

Help with formalities and forms is available from either Durban Marina, Royal Natal Yacht Club or Point Yacht Club. On arrival visitors raft up to the international jetty. For a possible marina berth contact Durban Marina at the office on the floating pontoon. They control 350 pontoon moorings and over 200 swinging moorings.

Facilities:
ROYAL NATAL YACHT CLUB. Showers, toilets, bars, ice, restaurants and take-away, library, function room, swimming pool, mail held by arrangement. Temporary free membership period, thereafter visiting membership. Visitors are very welcome at this friendly yacht club. Tel: (0)31 301 5425, Fax: (0)31 307 2590
POINT YACHT CLUB. Showers, toilets, bars, restaurant, lounge, function room, mail held by arrangement, fax facilities. Temporary free membership for visitors. Workshop, slipping up to 12 tonnes - ask at the club. Visitors welcome.
Tel: (0)31 301 4787. Fax: (0)31 305 1234
BLUFF YACHT CLUB. Tel: (0)31 466 1386

Customs:
(See booklet for full updated details)

Immigration:
(See booklet for full updated details)
Those persons requiring South African visas can obtain them from any SA Consulate including the Consulate in Reunion. These can be obtained separate from your passport if so required. Ownership papers and a letter from the master accepting responsibility for the crew are necessary when getting visas. South African ensigns are not available from the Consulates at present, but can be purchased from marine stores in Durban on arrival. The immigration authorities must clear everyone aboard a yacht arriving from a foreign port.

Durban Port Control will normally inform immigration, customs and health of the yachts arrival - however, the onus is on the skipper/owner to complete ALL the official formalities. The skipper/owner must write a letter requesting permission if signing off crew. This is presented to the Immigration Dept., together with a completed Arrival Form, passport, air ticket or bank guarantee, and visa or request for temporary permit for each crew member. (see booklet for full updated details)

Health:
Officials from the Port Health Department will only visit a yacht on arrival if it comes from a yellow fever or plague infected port. The yacht skipper will be required to complete the Maritime Declaration of Health form. This form requires details of any infectious or contagious diseases contracted by the people on board during the previous voyage. All members arriving from yellow fever areas must produce valid yellow fever certificates. Animals and plants must NOT be taken ashore until cleared by the State Vet. Dept. Tel: (0)31 368 6011. The address for both the Port Health and State Vet is: 18 Stanger Street, Durban 4001.

Get the booklet for FULL details including ALL contact details of Durban's marine services, marinas, mini charts, photos, maps, etc., the free booklet is available to order here (Cruising Connections) and on arrival in South Africa. Most cruisers would however wish to have this information in advance, so the free e-book (download) is ideal.

**See the discussion FORUM for any latest updates.

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