Yachts intending to visit Antarctica must be familiar with the annexes to the Protocol on Environmental Protection as well as the Antarctic Treaty Recommendations XVIII-I (1994), Guidance for Visitors to the Antarctic and Guidance for those Organising and Conducting Tourism and Non-governmental Activities in the Antarctic which are available from the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat website.

The Tourism Guidelines adopted in 1994 were supplemented in 2004 with Guidelines on contingency planning, insurance and other matters. The full text of the guidelines can be read on the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat website. In summary, the 2004 guidelines state that those organising or conducting tourist or other non-governmental activities in the Antarctic Treaty Area should have in place before the visit “appropriate contingency plans and sufficient arrangements for health and safety, search and rescue (SAR), and medical care and evacuation.” Also available from the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat website are specific guidelines for sites most visited by tourists. Although intended more for larger numbers of visitors (12 or more) smaller groups should also abide by these guidelines. More sites will be added in the future. Site-specific guidelines have been developed for the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetlands.

Information is also available from IAATO, International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators

Any U.K. yachts planning to visit Antartica can apply to the U.K. Foreign Office.  Yachts with at least one British national on board are also able to apply. This can also be done even if the yacht is not U.K. flagged.  See www.gov.uk/visits-to-antarctica-how-to-apply-for-a-permit for more information as well as useful data about sailing in Antartica. The forms are now tailored to expeditions by smaller yachts.

Last updated:  May 2018.

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