Marshall Islands

	Marshall Islands
	; Marshall Islands
	; Flag
Capital:	Majuro ; GPS: 07°05.39′N, 171°22.84′E; Photo Gallery
Language:	Marshallese, English
Currency:	$US
Time Zone	UTC +12
	More notes about the Marshall Islands

From CruisersWiki

(Difference between revisions)

Jump to: navigation, search

Revision as of 21:37, 20 March 2009

Marshall Islands Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around the Marshall Islands.

Background

The Marshall Islands, officially the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. This nation of roughly 60,000 persons is located north of Nauru and Kiribati, east of the Federated States of Micronesia, and south of the U.S. territory of Wake Island

The country consists of 29 atolls and 5 isolated islands. The most important atolls and islands form two groups: the Ratak Chain and the Ralik Chain (meaning "sunrise" and "sunset" chains).

Describe the cruising/sailing in the region.

Climate & Weather

The climate is hot and humid, with a wet season from May to November.

The islands occasionally suffer from typhoons. Many Pacific typhoons start in the Marshall Islands region and grow stronger as they move west toward the Mariana Islands and the Philippines.

Sources of weather forecasting here.

Charts

Submit details of the charts required for safe navigation of the area.

Approaches and Navigation

Any navigation notes here.

Local Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

VHF: The yacht fleet in the capital, Majuro, monitors VHF Ch68 as a hailing channel and moves to Ch74 or Ch77 for conversation. A net is held Monday to Friday at 7:30am local time on Ch68.
SSB: The 'Yokwe' (hello in Marshallese) net is held every day at 7:45am and 6pm local time on upper side band 4.030 Mhz.

Arrival/Departure procedures

Arrival

First landfall must be made at an official Port of Entry.

Departure

Details?

Customs and Immigration

Immigration

Should you intend to stay for longer than 30 days you are required to apply for an entry permit from the Chief of Immigration, Marshall Islands Government, Majuro, Marshall Islands 96960. Or, Ph: 625 3181, Fax: 625 3685 (or, from the consulate in Honolulu). Cruisers have however been allowed to enter the Marshall Islands without an advance permit, for shorter stays.

Citizens of the United States, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Australia and New Zealand do not require visas.

Important Notes:
- A requirement is that passports must have a validity of 12 months beyond your first date of entry.
- Seperate permits for each island must be obtained in Majuro to visit any of the outlying groups/islands.

Customs

Firearms and ammunition MUST be declared on arrival.
Turtle shell and Coral are prohibited exports.
PETS: Pets are allowed as long as they stay on board the vessel.

Fees and Charges

Some permits to visit outer islands are free while others range up to $US250
It is obligatory to obtain an outer island permit for each atoll before leaving Majuro.

Restrictions

Kwajalein Island is a closed military base, and the missile range includes Kwajalein and the islands up to Roi-Namur Island.
Kwajalein Atoll is used by the US as a missile testing area and the waters within a 200 mile radius may be affected. One should contact "Kwajalein Atoll Control" on VHF before sailing in this area.
Alcohol consumption is banned on many of the outer islands
Dress conservatively when visiting the outer islands.
Any islands used by the US military are restricted (some are administered by the Marshall Islands but still require special permission and clearance to visit:
- Bikini Atoll (11°30'N 165°34'E)
- Enewetak Atoll (11°30'N 162°24'E)
- Rongelap Atoll (11°09'N 166°54'E)

Islands in the Group (of interest to cruisers)

Majuro (Port of entry)
Ebeye Island (Kwajalein) (Port of entry)
Other Islands: Note that an entry permit is required to visit each atoll; acquired from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Local Government Office (next to the Mobil Oil depot), Majuro. Ph: 692 455 4143.
- Arno
- Mejit
- Wotje
- Aur Island
- Tobal Island
- Mili
- Bikar Atoll
- Toangi Atoll
- Bikini Atoll

Ports & Popular Stops

See Islands above

Cruising around the Atolls

General notes on cruising around the atolls/islands

Health

An HIV test is required for visits of over 30 days.
A valid health certificate is required if arriving from cholera infected areas.
Note tuberculosis and leprosy does exist on the Islands.

Security

Details?

Transportation

Transportation - mainland or to other countries, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on the Cruiser Log Forum

External Links

References & Publications

Books, Guides, etc.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Template:Guide1

Cruising Wiki Navigation
\| HOMEPAGE \| Wiki Contents \| Central Pacific \| Marshall Islands \|

.

@@ Line 74: / Line 74: @@
 * Turtle shell and Coral are prohibited exports.
 *
-* PETS: All pets aboard must be declared on arrival.
+* PETS: Pets are allowed as long as they stay on board the vessel.
 ===Fees and Charges===
 * Some permits to visit outer islands are free while others range up to $US250
-*
+* It is obligatory to obtain an outer island permit for each atoll before leaving Majuro.
 ===Restrictions===
@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
 * Any islands used by the US military are restricted (some are administered by the Marshall Islands but still require special permission and clearance to visit:
 ** Bikini Atoll (11°30'N 165°34'E)
-** Enewetok Atoll (11°30'N 162°24'E)
+** Enewetak Atoll (11°30'N 162°24'E)
 ** Rongelap Atoll (11°09'N 166°54'E)
 *