BIOT (Chagos) - Bio-Security
With the continual change in protocols due to the pandemic, we outline the last-known situation below for yacht arrivals. Skippers should follow the recommended links in “resources” to confirm the latest protocols. Always check with your intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required. Please e-mail editor@noonsite.com if you find protocols have changed.
COVID-19: OPEN
Yachting Protocols:
- BIOT re-opened to visiting yachts 1 February 2021.
- Normal permit rules apply.
- See Clearance for full details.
- Only three vessels are permitted to be in the Territory at any one time. Permits are issued on a first-come-first-served basis from the point at which your application has been approved and payment has been received.
- You will need to provide both a primary destination and a secondary destination, to be used in the event that COVID restrictions limit access to your preferred port of call.
- Whilst you are in BIOT you must obey the following protocols to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus:
– You must not board a vessel other than your own, either at anchor or at sea;
– You must not transfer equipment or supplies between vessels except in case of serious mechanical failure or medical necessity;
– You must maintain a distance of six feet (two metres) from members of other crews whilst in anchorages.
Resources:
History:
- From mid-March 2020 new permits were no longer issued. Issued permits remained valid and these vessels were allowed to moor as planned.
- On 30 November, 2020, permit applications re-opened for vessels wanting to enter BIOT from 1 February, 2021.
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
Next Section: Formalities: Documents
Related to following destinations: BIOT (Chagos)
Country Navigation
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What is the vessel name responsible for the vandalism?
Reported by Kara Sewell, Assistant Administrator, British Indian Ocean Territory Administration:A member of the public applied for a mooring permit. I had assessed their application form and insurance documents and was satisfied with these. I had then provided a mooring permit to the individual. The individual was accompanied by his family. During their stay in British Indian Ocean Territory, they had carved the name of their yacht into one of the pine trees. This vandalism was later discovered by one of my colleagues who is located in the Territory. By the time my colleague discovered this, the individual and his family had departed the territory so we were unfortunately unable to prosecute them. I had confronted him about the vandalism via email but he refused to respond.
We wish to remind vessels that moor in BIOT, that vandalism is unacceptable and legal action will be taken for anyone found vandalising BIOT’s natural resources.[Editor’s Note: See https://nsocl.wccstaging.com/place/biot-chagos/formalities#restrictions-section
for what is and isn’t permitted in BIOT].
This infuriates me! It would be nice if the next country to see this boat was to deny them entry. Unbelievable!
Posted on behalf of SY Adina – currently in BIOT:
Really beautiful in BIOT/Chagos. They are now using spotter planes to check on us! The pilot called us up on VHF16 and I read all the boat names to him – clearly had a list and he quickly recalled them. Very polite and wished us well.
Posted on behalf of Katja Verheul:
At the moment I am doing research for a 20-min documentary about the Chagos Archipelago, which will be finished in July 2016 as part of my research as a Master at Goldsmiths University in London. A part of the documentary will be based on stories of sailors who visited the island, preferably in the ’80s and the ’90s.
I was hoping that through noonsite I could get in touch with some cruisers who have been here and ask them some questions about their stay and experience of the islands. Please e-mail me at va301kv(at)gold.ac.uk if you are able to assist.