Gold Coast on-water port drives traffic

A BOAT tours organiser is hailing the Gold Coast’s trial of an on-water Customs clearance facility as a major win for the city and boost to yacht traffic.

About 40 yachts and 100plus sailors with crew have gathered at Southport Yacht Club ahead of departure at 8am today bound for New Caledonia and Vanuatu.

Australian Border Force staff processed the yachts and crew yesterday at the club’s on-water Customs clearance facility, which has been trialled since last year.

Down Under Rally director John Hembrow, who is organises the annual sailing excursion, said it was the first time the on-water clearance had been available for his group.

“In the past because it wasn’t an official clearance port we did struggle with clearance. We’d go from three different locations in Coomera to clear 30 boats and it was convoluted and painful,” he said.

But it was not just domestic departures for overseas that were benefiting from the Gold Coast customs port, Mr Hembrow said.

“Being able to clear Customs into the Gold Coast is a huge attraction for international vessels coming straight into one of the most convenient locations you can be in,” he said.

Gold Coast marina and yacht club bosses hope once the year-long trial is over next month it will become a permanent fixture for the city.