CRUISING TO TRISTAN DA CUNHA

Tristan da Cunha is a British Overseas Territory. The best time to visit is between January and March, during the summer, when there is a better chance of getting ashore. Visiting yachts need to give as much notice of their visit as possible to the Tristan Police (police@tdc-gov.com) to receive clearance to visit the island. Those who don’t must seek prior clearance from the harbour master, medical officer and immigration officer via Tristan Radio (VHF Ch. 14,16, 78 & 80) before anchoring, or disembarking passengers or crew. No visas are required but all visitors need a landing stamp (£15 per crew member).

Government departments in Tristan are only open until 1500, Monday to Friday. Yachts that arrive at the weekend should expect to wait until the start of the working week before being able to go ashore.

Vising yachts must contact the authorities, via Tristan Radio, to advise of arrival time, as well as departure time and proposed destination when leaving. yachts are not permitted to anchor overnight off Gough, Inaccessible or Nightingale Islands.

Anchoring off Tristan is challenging, and the authorities advise that aluminium anchors don’t work effectively. yachts are not allowed to enter Calshot Harbour in Edinburgh of the Seven Seas. The harbourmaster can advise on a safe anchorage, although expect swell. Crews are allowed to come ashore via dinghies, although the harbour closes to visiting vessels after 1900 GMT in summer, 1700 GMT in winter and in early mornings and late afternoons for the island’s fishing fleet.

For those interested in learning more about celestial navigation, turn to page 42 for the continuation of our series by William Thomson looking at the night sky.