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The currency in the Falklands is the Falkland pound. Sterling can be exchanged in the Falklands £1 for £1 and can be spent directly in the shops. US dollars are also widely accepted in shops, but the bank will normally give a better exchange rate. Visa and Mastercard can be used in many outlets. Some places will also accept American Express, Eurocard and Diners cards. The only bank in the Islands is Standard Chartered Bank in the centre of town near the Post Office. There are no automatic cash machines however the bank provides cash advances against credit cards and will cash cheques from most UK High Street Banks up to the value of a valid cheque guarantee card. Many other currencies can be exchanged here, and Travellers’ Cheques can be bought or exchanged. A charge is levied on most transactions. Falkland Islands currency cannot easily be exchanged for sterling or other currencies outside the Islands. The following is a list of charts recommended for ships visiting designated harbours in the Falkland Islands. It is not exhaustive and visitors to other parts of the Islands are recommended to consult the British Admiralty Chart Atlas for any further requirements. A limited range of charts and flags are available from Byron Marine Ltd, H Jones Road, Stanley Tel: 22245 or email info@byronmarine.co.fk British Admiralty Chart No. - Title 2505 Approaches to the Falkland Islands GENERAL INFORMATION - FALKLANDS HARBOURS Designated Customs Ports Stanley, Port William & Berkeley Sound. Yachts are required to make Stanley their first port of call. Arrival and departure reports should be made as detailed under Harbour Safety – All Vessels, Port William and Stanley Harbour.
51º 41.434´ S057º 51.338´ W Reporting on Arrival or Departure The Reporting Line is a line joining the positions 51º 31’S 57º 44’W (Volunteer point) and 51º 41S 57º43’W (Cape Pembroke). This line forms the outer limit of Berkeley Sound and Port William. All vessels entering or leaving Port William should report their “Reporting Line” crossing time. This information should be passed as the vessel enters or leaves, and not retrospectively. Any vessel wishing to enter Stanley Harbour should give her entry time at the Reporting Line and her estimated time at the Narrows. Jetties East Jetty: Situated on the south shore of Stanley Harbour and belongs to Falkland Islands Company Ltd. It has a 45 metre berthing face with approximately 3.7 metres of water at its head. Public Jetty: Used for landing passengers from launches and other small craft. The head of the jetty has approximately 3 metres of water but is no longer serviceable. There is a new pontoon on the East side of the jetty which can be used by yachts if it is not being used by tourist launches. FIPASS (Falkland Interim Port and Storage System): Situated to the east of the Narrows on the south shore of Stanley Harbour, owned by the Falkland Islands Government and managed by Byron Mckay. This facility consists of seven permanently moored barges providing 300 metres of berthing face and a Ro-Ro berth. The depth of water varies from 6.5 – 7.2 metres according to berth. Yachts often use the east side of FIPASS. Government Jetty: This structure has been removed, as it was unsafe. S.A.M.S Marina: This small marina has a 24m floating pontoon on its south side often in use by local boats, depth at this floating pontoon is 1.6m. When completed, the east face of the jetty will have berth space on the 27m face, depth varies here from 2.5 to 3m. Contact Mr & Mrs Eynon tel: 21145, email dceynon@horizon.co.fk for rates and further information. Harbour Authorities The Harbour Master, Fisheries Department, P.O. Box 598, Stanley, Falkland Islands. Office Hours: 0800 - 1630 (Seven days per Week) Telephone: (500) 27260 & 27266 Facsimile: (500) 27265 & 27264 E-mail: director@fisheries.gov.fk & fishops@fisheries.gov.fk Radio Harbour Authorities - Call "FISHOPS" or "STANLEY PORT CONTROL" on VHF Ch 16 or 10 (24 hours) & HF - 4066.1 Khz (office hours only) Out of office hours, the VHF watch is maintained by Cable and Wireless South Atlantic Ltd, who will take all routine reports and in an emergency will immediately alert Harbour Staff. Use the same callsigns "FISHOPS" or "STANLEY PORT CONTROL". In an emergency the Duty Officer can also be contacted via “Stanley Police” on VHF Ch 16. Harbour Dues Harbour dues for Yachts is £50.00 (as at April 2007) AIDS TO NAVIGATION WITHIN FALKLAND ISLANDS WATERS PORPOISE POINT
FOX POINT
STANLEY HARBOUR LEADING LIGHTS
FIPASS NW CORNER
FIPASS NE CORNER - RO-RO RAMP.
NAVY POINT
ENGINEER POINT
BLANCO BAY
STANLEY HARBOUR EXIT LEADING MARK.
CAPE PEMBROKE LIGHTHOUSE
MENGEARY POINT
STRIKE-OFF POINT
LONG ISLAND
VOLUNTEER POINT
Falkland Islands Countryside Code
Landowners MUST be contacted prior to landing on any islands and the lighting of fires for any reason is strictly prohibited unless permission has been given in writing by the landowner.
Immigration The Falkland Islands Immigration Service is responsible for controlling entry to the Islands by all persons and have compiled a leaflet to provide general guidance on immigration controls relating to visitors. Extracts from their leaflet is reproduced here. Please note it is aimed generally at visitors arriving by air and the information is current as at September 2005. For further details regarding any of the topics below, or any other immigration-related matter, please contact either of the following: In the United Kingdom Travel Co-ordinator Tel: +44 (0)20 7222 2542 e-mail: travel@falklands.gov.fk In the Falkland Islands Falkland Islands Immigration Service Tel: +500 27340 e-mail: admin@customs.gov.fk Permit/Visa Requirements Persons who are not Falkland Islanders, or have no residency rights in the Islands, require a Visitor's Permit to enter the Islands, and throughout this leaflet are referred to as “visitors”. Persons who are nationals of some countries will require a visa in addition to a Visitor's Permit. Dependants are also subject to Permit/Visa requirements. Persons Requiring a Visa - Nationals of those countries who are required to obtain a visa must complete “Form 4 - Application for Visa to Enter the Falkland Islands” and the form “Visiting the Falkland Islands“. Visas can be obtained from Falkland House, in London. In countries other than the United Kingdom this form may be obtained from, and processed through, a British Embassy or Consulate. Visas must be obtained prior to departure for the Islands. Exemptions from the requirement to possess a visa are as follows: Persons travelling on a passport or international travel document issued by one of the following authorities: (a) International organisations -
(b) The authorities of the following countries or parts of countries -
Nationals of the following countries are also EXEMPT from Falkland Islands visa requirements:
(*Hong Kong Special Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China) (The fact that nationals of any of these countries are exempt from requiring visas for the Falkland Islands does not alter the necessity to obtain other permits, i.e. a Residence Permit or a Visitor's Permit). Other Nationals All other nationals planning to visit must complete the form “Landing Form/Application for Visitor’s Permit”. However, if travelling to the Islands by RAF Tristar, only the form “Application for Civilian Passage to the Falkland Islands by RAF Tristar” need be completed as this will also serve as a Visitor's Permit application. Issue of Visitor's Permits Visitor's Permits, which are stamped in the passport, are issued only on arrival in the Islands, or at Falkland House in London by contacting the Travel Co-ordinator. (NB: you may be required to attend in person). Validity of Visitor's Permits Under the provisions of the Immigration Ordinance 1999, a Visitor's Permit may only be issued for an initial period of one month. The Immigration Ordinance does however allow for a Visitor's Permit to be extended beyond one month by application to the Immigration Officer after arrival in the Islands; and provided you have adequate means of support and satisfactory accommodation arrangements, an extension is likely to be granted. If you wish to stay for longer than one month, and wish to confirm holiday arrangements in advance of your visit, you have an option to seek permission for an extended Visitor's Permit to be issued prior to travelling. This option requires you to forward your passport to Falkland House in London, together with any additional information which may be required, and you may be required to attend in person to collect your passport when ready. It should be noted that the permission of the Principal Immigration Officer, in Stanley, is required before an extended Visitor's Permit can be issued (this will be sought by the Travel Co-ordinator on receipt of all necessary details). Travelling by RAF Tristar - if granted a passage on the Tristar (by the Travel Co-ordinator, at Falkland House, in London) approval for the issue of a Visitor's Permit (valid for up to one month) will also have been granted; if you did not obtain a Visitor's Permit from Falkland House the permit will be issued on arrival in the Islands. Travelling by Other Routes (e.g. via South America) - if you have not obtained a Visitor's Permit from Falkland House you should complete the form “Visiting the Falkland Islands” for presentation to the Immigration Officer on arrival. To save you time at port of entry the form should be completed prior to arrival. (If you decide to call at Falkland House to obtain a Visitor's Permit, you must make an appointment with the Travel Co-ordinator). Frequently Asked Questions.... What cash/credit card resources do I need in order to be granted permission to visit? You will need to produce evidence of a return ticket, or the means to pay for a passage out of the Islands at the end of your stay. You will also need to have sufficient cash/credit card resources to cover your accommodation costs, which of course will vary depending on where you will be staying. You must make accommodation arrangements prior to travelling to the Islands; in terms of capacity this is particularly important during the period November-March. How long can I remain in the Islands as a visitor? As already mentioned, visitors are normally only permitted entry for an initial period of one month, but that this may be extended on application to the Principal Immigration Officer, through the Immigration Officer, after arrival in the Islands. There is also the option, explained above, of requesting a Visitor's Permit valid for more than one month by application to Falkland House. Because of the need to submit your passport, and because you may be required to attend in person at Falkland House, this option is likely to be attractive only to UK/EU citizens. The Principal Immigration Officer has authority to extend a Visitor's Permit up to a total stay of 12 months from the date of a person’s first arrival in the Islands. An extension of a Visitor's Permit beyond 12 months requires the permission of the Governor, and there will need to be a very good reason for an application for a Visitor's Permit extension to be referred to the Governor. In considering an extension of time in the Islands the Principal Immigration Officer will require to be assured that you have satisfactory on-going accommodation arrangements, and adequate means to support yourself for the extended period of your stay in the Islands. Can a Visitor stay for longer than a year? It is unusual for a Visitor's Permit to be extended beyond 12 months. As previously mentioned this requires the specific permission of the Governor, which will only be granted in special circumstances. However, if you consider after arrival that there is a very good reason to extend your stay beyond a year you should discuss the circumstances with the Principal Immigration Officer. Are Visitors permitted to work whilst in the Islands? Visitors are not normally permitted to work whilst in the Islands and should certainly not depend on being permitted to work. If the intention is to take employment, then this should be made known to Falkland House or the Immigration Department in Stanley prior to your visit, as a different permit (a Residence Permit or Work Permit) will need to be applied for. However, occasional employment opportunities do arise, and where it is obvious that there are no permanent residents available to fill a vacancy, the Principal Immigration Officer may authorise a visitor to work under the authority of a “temporary work permission”. Current rules only allow a visitor to work in the Islands for a maximum of three months in the aggregate, in any period of twelve months. Can a Visitor take up a job offer lasting for more that three months? Again, to transfer from a Visitor's Permit to a Work Permit requires the permission of the Governor (and a very good reason will have to be shown for such an application to be referred to the Governor for consideration). The alternative is to leave the Islands at the end of your visit and apply for a Work Permit from outside the Islands. In either case a prospective employer will be required to sponsor your application and sign a repatriation bond. Offences Under the provisions of the Immigration Ordinance 1999 if a visitor to the Islands takes employment without seeking permission in advance from the Immigration Department, the person concerned is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £3000. Similarly, if a person employs a visitor who is not permitted by or under some provision of the Immigration Ordinance 1999 to take the employment in question, the employer is liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding £3000. False Information A person who provides false information, or withholds relevant information in connection with any application for a permit under the Immigration Ordinance, is liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding £7,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months. Residents of the UK who are entitled to receive medical treatment under the National Health Service (NHS) are covered during their time in the Falkland Islands by a reciprocal healthcare arrangement between the Governments of the UK and the Falkland Islands. Anyone not entitled to medical treatment on the NHS in the UK is required to have medical insurance to cover their visit to the Islands. There is also a need to have such insurance if transiting Ascension Island where only private health care is available and for which commercial rates are charged. Notwithstanding the above it is strongly recommended that visitors obtain good medical insurance cover for the duration of their stay in the Islands because the reciprocal arrangements between the UK and the Falkland Islands do not include medical repatriation (air ambulance) costs, nor will they cover the costs of any emergency aeromedical evacuation to, for example, South America. N.B. This leaflet does not purport to cover every situation which may arise regarding visits to the Falkland Islands, or any other matter subject to the provisions of the Immigration Ordinance. If you require further information regarding your plan to visit the Islands, or any other immigration issue, you should get in touch with either the Travel Co-ordinator at Falkland House, or the Immigration Officer in Stanley, whose contact details are listed on the front cover. Customs IMPORT: Free Import (tobacco products and alcoholic beverages only for persons over the ages of 16 and 18 years respectively). a) 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250 grammes of tobacco, and b) Wine or other alcoholic beverages: 1 litre if more than 38.8° proof (22° Gay- Lussac) or 2 litres of maximum 38.8° proof (22° Gay-Lussac) and 2 litres sparkling wine or still table wine; and c) 10 litres of beer or cider or similar beverage. Additional Information 1) CITES: The Falkland Islands conforms with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. (See terms and definitions). 2) Plants: Import Permit from the Falkland Islands’ Department of Agriculture and a phytosanitary certificate issued by the relevant authority in the country of origin required, except for seeds. Imports must be soil free. Bio Security (restictions on the importation of plant and animal products) The Falkland Islands are extremely fortunate in that they are free from most of the serious animal and plant diseases that affect many other parts of the world. The Government and people of the Falkland Islands would like this favourable situation to continue into the future. Your assistance is requested in ensuring that unwanted diseases of either plants or animals are not inadvertantly introduced into the Islands by the illegal importation of certain types of animal and plant products. The general rule is that no live animals, animal products (eg meat, dairy products, fruit, vegetables and also includes all soil, seed and animal feed), can be brought ashore from ships either for personal consumption or as a gift for someone based ashore. Clothing, and in particular footwear, which will be worn whilst ashore must be clean and free of soil. If you are in any doubt about whether you can bring something ashore then don't bring it ashore until you have first contacted either the veterinary section of the Department of Agriculture (for animal products) or the Agronomy section of the Department of Agriculture (for plant products). The contact telephone numbers for the 2 sections are given below: Veterinary Service: 27366 Agronomy section: 27355 Staff will be available to answer your queries between 8.00am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday and the veterinary service can also be contacted on the above number at weekends (although only if absolutely necessary). Inter-island bio-security Invasive pests – e.g. rats, earwigs, thistles - are present on some but not all islands in the Falkland Islands. Efforts have also been made to eradicate some pest species such as rats from critical islands. You are asked to take care when visiting different islands within the Falklands. Please ensure your boots, clothing and any backpacks etc are free of soil, seeds and insects before disembarking from vessels. Some islands, because they are free of (one or all) rats, mice and/ cats, hold particularly important species. After obtaining landowners permission, please take special care to avoid accidental introductions when visiting these islands. The islands include Kidney, Lively, North-East, Sea Lion, Beauchene, George, Barren, Speedwell, Bird, Second, Third and Forth Passage, Middle, Hummock, Gidds, Carcass and the Jason Group. Please contact Falklands Conservation or Environmental Planning Department for a comprehensive list. Biological Surveys Much of the islands within the Falklands archipelago have been little investigated to any great extent. Our invasive species programme relies particularly on biological surveys to determine what islands are free of rats, have rare plants, remnant tussac grass or are breeding sites for prions, diving petrels, Cobb’s wrens, tussock birds and so on. We have a list of islands where biological surveys are most critically needed but we are limited by a lack of vessels to access these sites. If you are interested in helping with carrying out surveys or ferrying some of our local biologists around, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact Helen Otley, Environmental Planning Department, Falkland Islands Government hotley.planning@taxation.gov.fk tel: 27390. 3) Firearms and Ammunition: Import licence from the Falkland Islands’ Police Authority required. Weapons taken from passengers prior to embarkation for safe stowage in the aircraft must be returned to passenger by a responsible officer of the airline or handling agent in the presence of an officer of customs. Small arms ammunition must be packaged separately from firearms. 4) Meat, Poultry and Dairy Produce: Import licence from the Falkland Islands’ Department of Agriculture and veterinary/sanitary certification issued by the relevant authority in the country of origin required. 5) Prohibited: Narcotic substances; pornographic or obscene material including books, films and video tapes; counterfeit goods including coin and stamps. 6) Pets, Other Animals, Birds and Eggs for Hatching: Import licence from Falkland Islands’ Agricultural Authority and health certification issued by the relevant authority in the country of origin is required. Animals must be carried in a “nose and paw proof crate or container” as manifested cargo covered by an Air Waybill. Prior advice by facsimile to the Department of Agriculture is mandatory prior to shipment. Note: Live animals, birds and eggs of certain types or origin are prohibited. Yachts are advised to anchor off if animals are carried on board. Garbage or refuse of any kind is not to be thrown overboard in territorial waters and should be stored in a satisfactory manner. 7) Untreated Animal Hides and Skins and Derivative Products: must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate issued by the relevant authority in the country of origin. WARNING: False declaration or unlawful importation of any goods may result in heavy fines and/or imprisonment. In relation to narcotic substances, no exceptions are made for personal use quantities. Currency Import and Export: Local currency (Falkland Islands Pounds), Great Britain Pounds and foreign currencies. No restrictions.
Electric supply on the Islands is 240v.
Diesel is readily available in Stanley, as is petrol, kerosene and a good choice of engine oils. Gas is also available, but in large bottles. It is possible to get your own bottles refilled.
There are laundry facilities in Stanley.
Marker Bouys & Static Fishing Gear On occasion crab pot buoys may be present in Port William. These should be not more than 0.15 NM from the coastline. Crab Pots may also be present in the following areas: Choiseul Sound George Island
Small Marker Buoys (usually Red) for Yacht racing may be present at the West end of Stanley Harbour, these must NOT be used for moorings.
In Stanley there is a small but modern hospital with good medical and dental services. Make sure your insurance covers your medical needs because if you are not entitled to healthcare in the Falklands you can expect to pay non-resident rates. Also see info on insurance under Customs & Immigration, above. No vaccinations are required in order to enter the Falkland Islands from any country.
There are minefields in various areas in the Falklands. Whilst these are well fenced, some extend onto the beaches so care must be taken when approaching from the sea. Minefield maps can be obtained in Stanley. If you think you have found an item of unexploded ordnance take the following actions:
There are 117 Minefields in the Falkland Islands, which are all clearly fenced. It is extremely dangerous and illegal to:
Post, Courier & Freight Services Post comes in from overseas twice a week. There is no delivery service - collect from the Post office in the centre of town. DHL is the only international courier, arriving on Saturdays. They also do not deliver - collect from DHL office at the Chamber of Commerce. There is a regular shipping service to and from the UK on a monthly basis.
Information still to be collected
Information still to be collected
These waters extend up to 12 miles off the Falkland Islands baselines The following co-ordinates are supplied to assist Masters in establishing the Territorial base lines. Points between CAPE CARYSFORT (East Falkland), CAPE PERCIVAL (West Falkland) and MACBRIDE HEAD (East Falkland) are joined to form the 'base lines'.
The above positions are on Falkland Islands Datum (1943).
Tidal Range in the Harbours is a maximum of 2 metres at Springs. Tidal Streams in Stanley Harbour Entrance (The Narrows) are approximately Link to Tide Predictions
Time Zone UTC - 04 hours
Located in the centre of town by the Public Jetty. Hosts all tourist information. More details on Falkland Islands Tourism Website.
Good quality clean drinking water is available, but you may need to have a long hose of your own.
The Shipping Weather Forecast for FICZ (Falkland Islands Conservation Zone) open waters is broadcast each day at 0830 Lt. on MF Frequency 4066.1 Khz by the Fisheries Department, preceded by any local Navigational Warnings. Whenever possible the Shipping Forecast & Navigation Warnings will also be broadcast in Spanish. The Shipping Forecast can also be heard on 530 Khz MW in English only at: Monday to Friday:- 0715, 1003, 1615, 1815 & 2030 Lt. Saturday & Sunday:- 1800 Lt.
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