New Caladonia Anchoring Restrictions

[UFO]

Just heard from another cruiser that a LOT of the anchorages in New Cal have either been made completely a no go zone for anchoring or restricted to 48 hours max to anchor and that Navionics etc do not have these updated restrictions shown.


Generally I am not hearing many good reviews of New Cal from the people I have spoken to who have cruised there



Looking for a good source of up to date info for New Cal if anyone knows of one as well as any recommended places to stop at.



Thanks in Advance

[psk125]

This site might be helpful:https://www.nouvellecaledonie.travel...ver-en-bateau/. It at least has phone numbers for different authorities that might be good to contact. Note only two harbors in Nouméa serve as ports of entry: Port Moselle and Port du Sud. The site mentions only being able to anchor in Kuto Bay on Ile des Pins, and contacting the Town Hall AND Police departments beforehand. To cruise the Loyalty Islands you need authorization from the Marina of We in Lifou. If you want to anchor anywhere outside of the marina you need a permit from them that takes 1 to 2 weeks to obtain. On the northern coast the North Lagoon is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so there are designated areas to anchor in.
Someone clearing in at Nouméa and simply heading out to some of these places without getting clearances or permits beforehand, or anchoring in protected areas, is going to run into trouble.

[Tin Tin]

Wait till the nickle runs out, then they might be more accommodating,

[psk125]

Originally Posted by Tin Tin

Wait till the nickle runs out, then they might be more accommodating,

The Bahamas and Florida don't have nickel and still have anchoring restrictions.

[donradcliffe]

Originally Posted by psk125

Someone clearing in at Nouméa and simply heading out to some of these places without getting clearances or permits beforehand, or anchoring in protected areas, is going to run into trouble.

Nothing new, you just have to use the Catholic method. Every season we would stop at Chesterfield reef on the way back to Australia. Deserted islands, great snorkeling, turtles laying eggs and mating. It is French territory, but they can't justify putting an outpost on it. One year, a patrol boat showed up and demanded that the boats follow them back to Noumea. Its a long slog back against the tradewinds, and after a couple of days, the escort boat disappeared and the boats sailed to Australia. If you look at it from the perspective of the French captain, he accomplished his mission. He got the boats to leave, and perhaps discouraged a few from stopping as word got around.

[psk125]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

Nothing new, you just have to use the Catholic method. Every season we would stop at Chesterfield reef on the way back to Australia. Deserted islands, great snorkeling, turtles laying eggs and mating. It is French territory, but they can't justify putting an outpost on it. One year, a patrol boat showed up and demanded that the boats follow them back to Noumea. Its a long slog back against the tradewinds, and after a couple of days, the escort boat disappeared and the boats sailed to Australia. If you look at it from the perspective of the French captain, he accomplished his mission. He got the boats to leave, and perhaps discouraged a few from stopping as word got around.

That may work until they arrest the offending captain and take him to Nouméa aboard the escort boat to pay the fine. It happens elsewhere:https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...wn-284546.html. Note that the consensus in the Jost van Dyke thread is that the skipper was at fault for not following the rules. People have tried to arrive in Australia without following the procedures and have had their vessels seized. What do you do when you arrive in Australia? Just motor in, anchor, dinghy to shore and grab a few Fosters?

[Montanan]

https://www.downunderrally.com/new-caledonia-arrival-information

New Caledonia Arrival Information
September 2023

The information below was correct as of September 1st, 2023. The Down Under Rally takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information after that date.

PORTS OF ENTRY:
Noumea is the only port of entry. Yachts are not permitted to stop anywhere in New Caledonia (including the Loyalty Islands) prior to completing inward clearance formalities at Noumea.

ADVANCE NOTIFICATION OF ARRIVAL:
At the time of providing the information below, there was no requirement for visiting yachts to submit an advance notification for New Caledonia.

HAVANNAH PASS WESTBOUND VESSELS TRANSIT ADVICE
Havannah Pass is located at the southern end of the New Caledonia mainland.

Tides at Havannah Pass are one hour before the Noumea tides. Noumea tide times can be found here: http://www.tide-forecast.com/locatio...a/tides/latest

Outgoing spring tides at Havannah Pass can exceed 4 knots and create a strong northeast cross current. Several yachts have found themselves on the reef over the years as a result. It is recommended that vessels transiting the pass stay on the leads and transit the centre of the pass. With a strong easterly or SE wind, you can expect standing waves and turbulence on an outgoing tide.

We have personally transited Havannah Pass many times. When approaching from the East, we always time our arrival with an incoming tide. Ideally, if you can arrive about 3 hours after the Noumea low tide, you'll enjoy a current assist with you through Havannah and then Canal Woodin.

NOUMEA ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS:
On approaching Noumea, call Port Moselle Marina on VHF Channel 67 (between 08:00 and 16:00 Monday - Friday), giving the vessel name, length, and last port of call and stating that you would like to clear in. The Q flag and a French courtesy flag should be flown.

ON ARRIVAL
The marina staff will likely instruct you to berth at the visitor pontoon (marked with a yellow cross) at Port Moselle marina or at Port du Sud marina or anchor just outside Port Moselle (out of the shipping channels) and dinghy into the marina office, where staff will assist with clearance procedures. Everyone must remain on board until clearance formalities have been completed. The captain should take the following documents when attending the marina office for the first time.

Vessel Registration Certificate.

Customs Clearance from the last port.

All Crew passports (be sure also to have the current address of all crew members written down).

Certificate of vessel insurance.

OUT OF HOURS ARRIVAL
If arriving after hours, anchor in the anchorage in Baie de Moselle, outside the marina breakwater, and call the marina the next morning. Take care when anchoring, as there are often many unlit boats anchored in the bay.

If arriving on a weekend, attempt to call the marina for instructions. If there is no response, follow the instructions above for after-hours arrival.

[UFO]

Originally Posted by psk125

That may work until they arrest the offending captain and take him to Nouméa aboard the escort boat to pay the fine. It happens elsewhere:https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...wn-284546.html. Note that the consensus in the Jost van Dyke thread is that the skipper was at fault for not following the rules. People have tried to arrive in Australia without following the procedures and have had their vessels seized. What do you do when you arrive in Australia? Just motor in, anchor, dinghy to shore and grab a few Fosters?

God no, Wouldn't drink Fosters.....

[aberglas]

Australia is very nasty, follow the rules.