Bermuda

From CruisersWiki

Revision as of 02:26, 25 April 2016

Bermuda Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around Bermuda.

Bermuda/wiki/Bermuda

Bermuda 32°17.7′N, 64°46.9′W32.295;-64.781666666667 destination
Bermuda
Flag
Capital	Hamilton
Language	English
Currency	Bermudian Dollar (BMD)
Time zone	UTC-4
Calling code	?

Overview

Bermuda is a favorite, if challenging destination for off-shore yachts - a number of races start/finish here. Because of it's distance from the US, Bermuda is not that popular with cruisers - unfortunate because, once there, it is a heaven of beautiful anchorages, pink sand beaches and first world services. It makes an excellent rest-stop for cruisers on passage from the Azores or those heading N.E across the Atlantic to Europe, etc.

Cruising the region

Crossing from the US mainland motorsailing is typically a 4 day event. Passgages east to the Azores 8 - 15 days. The preferred time to cross is May - June. Attention should be taken of hurricane threats between July - October. Passages from New England to Bermuda in the autumn can be difficult due to frequent storm systems. Passage south from Bermuda re-opens in November and can be quite pleasant in early December.   

Stgeorgeharbour.jpg

Bermuda Climate & Weather

The best time to visit Bermuda is from Spring through to Autumn. Although the island is an associate member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), it is not actually in the Caribbean Sea and has a different climate. It is much farther north, but the warm waters of the Gulf Stream help give it a quasi-tropical atmosphere.

The islands have ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes. As a result drinking water is collected on the roofs of all buildings (by law) and in special catchment areas, and stored in tanks under the ground for each home or property. Bermuda has a mild, humid subtropical maritime climate though gales and strong winds are common in winter. The hurricane season is from June to November.

Sources of weather forecasting here.

• Bermuda Marine Forecast

Bermuda Navigation Charts

NOAA Charts

No. 5161 (Newport to Bermuda, including rhumb line)

DMA Charts

No. 26341 (Bermuda Islands)

No. 26342 (The Narrows to Grassy Bay)

NO. 26343 (St. George's Harbour)

No. 26344 (Great Sound Plan: North & South Basins)

No. 26345 (Hamilton Harbour)

See Also Anchoring Charts - Anchoring chart rendering, courtesy of Bermuda Yacht Services

Special Navigation Notes

Any navigation notes here.

Local Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

All vessels approaching or departing Bermuda should contact Bermuda Radio (VHF 16 or 27). Besides the processing of vessels through customs and immigration, detailed information on all private vessels calling at Bermuda are kept on file in the interest of safety and such detailed information is used to good effect in the event that the vessel gets into difficulty or is reported overdue.

The Maritime Operations Centre maintains a 24 hour distress watch on the international distress frequencies of 2182 kHz, 4125kHz and VHF Channel 16 as well as the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Digital Selective Call (DSC) distress frequencies of 2187.5 kHz and VHF Channel 70. NAVTEX broadcasts are also undertaken on frequency 518 kHz with NAVTEX messages typically being received out to at least 300 miles of Bermuda. Notices to Mariners, Local Navigational Warnings, Atlantic and Bermuda marine weather forecasts are all broadcast around the clock.

Cruisers' Nets

Bermuda Arrival and Departure procedures

All yachts MUST check in at St. George.

NOTE A pre-arrival questionaire must be faxed to Bermuda Maritime Operations on Fax number 4412971530. These can be obtained from:
Pre-arrival Questionaire - (pdf)
Rescue Co-ordination Centre/Bermuda Maritime Operations
19 Forge George Hill, St George GE 02, Bermuda.
Ph:441 297 1010, Fax:441 297 1530, VHF 16 or 27
Email

Clearance formalities must be completed at the Yacht Reporting Centre, Ordnance Island.

After clearance, the Dockmaster can be contacted on VHF 14 to arrange berthing at one of the harbour wharfs - Market Wharf West (limited to 48 hours), Market Wharf East (1/2 hour only), Somers Wharf (All day) and Hunters Wharf (All day).

Bermuda Immigration, Visas & Customs

Immigration

All arrivals (including US nationals) must be in possession of a valid passport .

Nationals of the following countries require visas:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China (Peoples’ Republic of), Croatia, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Georgia, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudia Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UAE, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, Serbia & Montenegro. Visas are obtained from a British Embassy or Consulate. Visas are valid for three months from date of issue. Visas are not required if any of the above are permanent residents of the UK, USA or Canada.

The initial allowance of stay is 21 days. Applications for extensions can be made to the Immigration Department in Hamilton (Ph:- +1 441 295 5151). This extension is only for individuals, and for the yacht to remain, application must be made to Customs. If delayed in Bermuda during the hurricane season, crews may be given permission to stay for up to 5 months provided that they can prove the means to support themselves and hold health insurance.

Crews leaving Bermuda for other countries (USA in particular) must have visas for those countries before leaving. If yacht crew intend to leave by other means (by air), they must have written proof from the owner/skipper of means of departure. The owner/skipper holds the responsibility that these crew actually leave the island.

Customs

• Firearms and ammunition (Incl. spear guns, flare guns, etc.) MUST be declared to Customs on arrival. These will either be bonded by Customs or sealed on board until departure.
• All prescription drugs and medication must be declared to Customs on arrival.
• Fruit and vegetables from other countries are not allowed.
• Yachts can stay up to six months, after which time customs will impose a tax of 33.5 per cent on the yacht's value. You can however apply to Customs for an extension.
• PETS: All animals that arrive in Bermuda must have Health documents and an Import Permit issued by the Bermuda Department of Environmental Protection in advance. Any animals arriving without the proper documentation will be refused entry. There are no quarantine facilities in Bermuda. See Official website

Restrictions

• No spearfishing is allowed within one mile of shore. Spear fishing with scuba gear is not allowed. Spear guns are not allowed to be used in Bermudian waters.
• All yachts should be fitted with either holding tanks (to contain sewage for discharge in waters outside the outer reef edge) or have approved marine sanitation devices aboard. However, wherever possible, onshore sanitation facilities should be utilized. The discharge overboard of sewage, or any other pollutant within the 12 mile Bermuda Territorial Limit, is an offence.

Health & Security

Submit any health warnings/information and any security details here.

Islands in the Bermuda Group and Ports

• Main Island
  • Hamilton
• St. George's Island (Port of entry)
  • St. George Harbour (Port of entry)
• Ireland Island (Sandy's Parish)

Passages To/From Bermuda

• USA to Bermuda Passage (Has data)
• Bermuda to USA passage
• Azores to Bermuda Passage
• Bermuda to Azores Passage

Cruiser's Friends

Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".

References & Publications about Bermuda

Books, Guides, etc.

Links to Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

• Bermuda Sailing and Cruising Discussions on Cruisers Forum

External Links

• Wikipedia - Bermuda
• Bermuda Yacht Services - Marina and full service boat yard in St. George's Harbour
• Bermuda Cruising Rally - Cruising rally from New York to Bermuda
• Cruising rallies - Has done, and may again do one to Bermuda
• Yacht club - In St. George's Harbour
• Marion - Bermuda - Bi-annual race
• Newport - Bermuda Race - Bi-annual race
• Bermuda Ocean Race - Bi-annual race
• Royal Bermuda Yacht Club - Yacht club in Hamilton
• Harbour Charts - Harbor chart renderings
• Bermuda Information - Bermuda tourism informational document (pdf)
• Pre-arrival Questionaire - (pdf)

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit. Personal experiences?

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Date of member's last visit to Bermuda and this page's details validated:

Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Monterey