Montserrat
From CruisersWiki
MONTSERRAT CRUISING GUIDE
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Montserrat.
| Montserrat | |
 Montserrat | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | Brades |
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| Language: | English |
| Currency: | East Caribbean dollar |
| Timezone: | UTC -4 |
| More notes about the country | |
 Latest News
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| Content - news items, etc. | |
Overview
Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. It measures approximately 16 km (10 miles) long and 11 km (7 miles) wide, giving 40 kilometres (25 mi) of coastline. Montserrat was given its name by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the New World in 1493, after its namesake located in Catalonia. Montserrat is often referred to as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, due both to its resemblance to coastal Ireland and to the Irish descent of most of its early European settlers.
Its Georgian era capital city of Plymouth was destroyed and two-thirds of the island's population forced to flee abroad by an eruption of the previously dormant Soufriere Hills volcano that began on July 18, 1995. The eruption continues today on a much reduced scale, the damage being confined to the areas around Plymouth including its docking facilities and the former W.H. Bramble Airport. An exclusion zone extending from the south coast of the island north to parts of the Belham Valley has been closed because of an increase in the size of the existing volcanic dome. This zone includes St. George's Hill which provided visitors with a spectacular view of the volcano and the destruction it has wrought upon the capital. A new airport at Gerald's in the northern part of the island opened in 2005. The village of Brades currently serves as the de facto centre of government.
The new airport, opened officially by the Princess Royal Princess Anne in February 2005, received its first commercial flights on July 11, 2005, and docking facilities are in place at Little Bay where a new capital is being constructed out of reach of any further volcanic activity.
The people of Montserrat were granted full residency rights in the United Kingdom in 1998, and citizenship was granted in 2002.
Cruising the region
Montserrat Yachting Association offers half-day tours along the West Coast of the island to Plymouth or full-day tours to Redonda. Experience beautiful scenery under sails. Passengers can fish, snorkel or even go whale watching.
Climate & Weather
- National Hurricane Center http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
- WindGURU: Montserrat, Little Bay http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=293619
Charts
- Source
- Chart
Any navigation notes here.
Local Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets
Arrival/Departure procedures
Submit any details about advance notification of arrival, etc.
Immigration and Customs
Montserrat Online Visa Application: https://www.immigration.ms/ You will receive a notification that your application will be processed within 24 hours. But in reality it can take up to several months.
Customs and Immigration clearance facilities for yachts and small craft are, currently, only available at Little Bay. Please proceed by sea to the Little Bay for clearance before landing passengers, crew or any cargo as it is an offence under the Customs Management Act 1994 to land passengers, crew or cargo before clearance has been granted.
The Customs Office at Little Bay is located in the main Transit Shed within the port complex. The office is manned from 8am - 4pm Monday to Friday. Please report to the officer on duty who will arrange Customs clearance and advise on Immigration requirements.
If you wish for clearance out of normal office hours or at weekends or Public Holidays, please report to the Port Security Officer, give the name of your vessel and request Customs clearance. The Port Security Officer will contact Customs and Immigration on your behalf. You may then return to your vessel or remain within the port complex. However, no crew or passengers may be landed until clearance has been granted. There is a fee for Customs attendance out of hours.
You are required to complete a declaration form for Customs purposes. This should be completed in triplicate and handed to the Customs Officer. On completion of formalities the Officer will grant clearance and you will be handed an authorized copy of the declaration which you should retain on board for production to the Marine Police or others if requested. If your stay is for 72 hours or less a separate outward declaration is not required. If your stay is for more than 72 hours or the information provided changes please contact Customs again before you leave to complete outward clearance.
Bonded stores, firearms or ammunition on board must not be landed in Montserrat without authority. Montserrat also has strict penalties for the importation or exportation of illegal drugs. Please check with the Customs Officer if you have any other queries in relation to import or export matters.
Ports & Popular Stops
- Little Bay (Port of entry)
Offshore Islands
- Redonda is an uninhabited Caribbean island which is offically part of Antigua and Barbuda, in the Leeward Islands, West Indies. The island is about 1 mile (1.6 km) long, 0.3 miles (0.48 km) wide, and is 971 feet high at its highest point. Redonda is closer to Montserrat than to any other island; it is located at 22.5 kilometres (14.0 mi) northwest of Montserrat, and 32 kilometres (20 mi) southeast of Nevis. Montserrat Yachting Association offers full-day tours to Redonda. Experience beautiful scenery under sails. Passengers can fish, snorkel or even go whale watching.
Health
Submit any health warnings/information and any security details here.
Security
Details?
Transportation
Transportation to mainland or other countries, etc.
References & Publications
Books, Guides, etc.
References & Publications
Publications, Guides, etc.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
- Montserrat Yachting Association (MYA) offers yacht registration in the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat, Barbados and the Commonwealth of Dominica, training and certification of yachtsmen. MYA is a one-stop shop for yachtsmen visiting Montserrat: mooring buoy for rent, free Wi-Fi internet, yachting shop, yacht brokerage, survey, training and certification of yachtsmen. MYA also offers half-day tours along the West Coast of the island to Plymouth or full-day tours to Redonda. Experience beautiful scenery under sails. Passengers can fish, snorkel or even go whale watching. Contact: Montserrat Yachting Association, Ltd., Marine Village, Little Bay, MSR 1120, Montserrat, British West Indies, tel.: +1 664 496-3827, e-mail: [email protected], skype: yachting.ms, www.yachting.ms
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
- Montserrat Yachting Association http://www.yachting.ms/
- Montserrat Online Visa Application: https://www.immigration.ms/
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Caribbean | Middle America | Lesser Antilles | Montserrat | |
