Puerto Williams
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Puerto Williams
Photo: Frank Holden - sv Westerly Serenade
Background
This is the administrative centre for Magallanes y Antártica Chilena. Its primary purpose is as an Armada base and the bulk of the population are either armada personnel or their dependants. Puerto Williams has a population of about 2200. It is the first port of entry for yachts coming from Argentina and the Atlantic. Yachts lie alongside the hulk Micalvi which can be very busy in the summer months with arriving and departing charter boats.
Charts
Submit the chart details that are required for safe navigation.
Radio Nets
Submit details of local radio Nets.
Routes to/from
Puerto Williams is the jumping off point for yachts doing either the 'Circuito de Ventisqueros' or the 'Circuito de Hornos'.
Check-in facilities
Photo: Frank Holden - sv Westerly Serenade
One hour before ETA call 'Puerto Williams Radio' on VHF 16. Call again after securing alongside 'Micalvi'. If arriving from a foreign port Armada/immigration/customs and quarantine will attend on board within the hour.
If arriving from the north or returning from a Circuito de Ventisqueros or a Circuito de Hornos the captain must drop in at the office of the Capitánia de Puerto with the Zarpe from the last port. It is then a simple matter of giving the ship's details and signing the book.
Check-out facilities
Go to the Capitánia with a written request for a Zarpe listing crew, planned itinerary, and ETA next port. Once the Zarpe has been issued officials will attend on board shortly before your ETD. A new requirement was introduced in late 2007 in an attempt to curb the booming but in many cases not quite legal charter trade. Even if departing for a port within Chile or simply doing one of the 'Circuitos' the Zarpe will be issued on board immeadiately before departure after each member of the crew has signed a disclaimer saying that they are aware that the yacht is not registered to charter within Chile and that they will not be covered by the yacht's insurance etc etc. As of November 2008 Zarpes for the 'Circuito de Ventisqueros' were only being issued for 7 days with a maximum time allowed of 10 days.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Photo: Frank Holden - sv Westerly Serenade
Club Naval de Yates Micalvi is based on the hulk of the old Armada transport Micalvi. Yachts simply raft up alongside. The facility is owned and managed by the Armada. There is metered 240 volt power available ( the big blue plugs...euro type?) as well as FW when the pipes aren't frozen. Hot showers are occasionally available. There are garbage reception facilities. Rates are reasonable being around $US5 a day depending on season and length of stay. During the summer it is very busy with charter yachts coming and going by day and night. Be prepared for a steady flow of people across your decks, many of them with limited sailing nous and agricultural footwear. There is a bar on Micalvi which keeps irregular hours.
Photo: Frank Holden - sv Westerly Serenade
Photo: Steve Hurst - sv Westerly Serenade
Anchorages
To the NW of Micalvi lies Seno Lauta, it is possible to anchor in this seno with the permission of the Capitánia.
Tourism & things to do ashore
There are many good walks to the south of the town, some being of several days duration. The town has several small bars and restaurants.
There is an ATM at the Banco de Chile. There are several call centres. There is (slow) internet at the Mini Mart and also at the school library ( free but limited hours and you have to wait your turn..).
Marine stores
Nil, do not expect to find a nut, a bolt, or a washer in this town. There is a gasfitter in the town. All basic facilities are available in the town including gas (propane), diesel, and petrol. There are 3 (very) small supermercados .. (the term supermercado is used in Chile to describe what in other parts of the world would be called a general store). All basic foodstuffs such as you would expect to find in a town of this size can be purchased.
The ferry 'Bahia Azul' arrives from Punta Arenas every Friday morning. Ben and Monica in the Mini-mart, Centro Commercial, can arrange for special food orders to be shipped in on the ferry... dearer than in Ushuaia but it saves a return sea voyage. They can also arrange clearance by the Aduana of spare parts, etc., that you have ordered from overseas through the Zona Franca in Punta Arenas and the onforwarding on the ferry.
Getting there
DAP operates a daily Twin Otter service between here and Punta Arenas in summer which reduces to three days of the week in winter. Flights need to be booked at least several weeks in advance.
The RIB 'Calafate' operates between Puerto Navarino and Ushuaia in the summer and a mini bus connects with Pto Williams as required.
The Ushuaia Aeroclub will provide charter aircraft for the 12 minute trip between Ushuaia and Puerto Williams. Minimum number of passengers is two and the fare is about $US120 a head.
Offshore Islands
Nil
References & Publications
Nil
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
- The weather in Puerto Williams is not unlike that experienced in Ushuaia, 25 miles away.
Personal Notes
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