Indonesia

Documentation

The documents that need to be submitted are the same as for the previous cruising permits, namely:

⇒ Yacht’s Certificate of Registration (private yacht)
⇒ Proof of insurance, including wreck removal
⇒ Crew and passenger lists, including passport details
⇒ Port clearance documents from previous port
⇒ Technical details of the yacht and associated vessels (tenders etc)
⇒ Details of the crew’s valuables (eg cameras, smart phones, electronic equipment).
⇒ Declaration that goods such as firearms, explosives etc are carried on board.

Five departments

Five government departments must be visited and sign off on a visiting yacht’s first entry before it is free to embark on its Indonesian cruising adventures. Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, Navy and finally (but certainly not least) the local Harbour Master are involved in facilitating every procedural step.

Visa requirements

The latest reliable information available is that it is mandatory for all yachts visiting Indonesia obtain a cruising permit and all on board to have visitor visas or have passports from countries eligible for Visa On Arrival (VOA). To enter Indonesia all crew passports must be valid for more than six months after the date of entry. Current visa laws have country categories, so please check online or at the nearest Indonesian consulate for your particular country’s visa requirements.

Best way forward

One important rule of thumb to note is that in dealing with any officials in Indonesia, patience and respectfulness are paramount. The larger the vessel, the more patience.

Nevertheless, for larger yachts and vessels, we strongly recommend contacting local agents prior to arrival to assist clearing in, bunkering, provisioning, providing guides and the much sought-after local ‘advice’ – especially for superyachts.

Yacht Agents can play an important role in trouble-free traversing Indonesia given the many cultural and logistical challenges that invariably present themselves.

Yachts without a cruising permit may stay for 48 hours only, in serious emergency, and must remain at the port of entry.