Caribbean Sea outlook - December update

Caribbean Sea © noonsite.com

ED Card Systems: Did you know that you can participate in Digital Online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) Card Systems to replace the paper arrival / departure cards that travelers file when clearing in and out in some countries? While not all countries use these paper forms for arrivals by sea, some countries do require them and as countries continue to move away from paper forms, there is every reason to expect it will become standard for arrivals by private vessels in the future.

The digital ED card system in the BVIs entered an introductory pilot phase on 1 October 2024 and is scheduled to become mandatory on 1 January 2025. The system in Sint Maarten became mandatory on 15 October 2024 for air travelers. In Saint Lucia digital ED cards have been mandatory for air travelers since April 2023, however, Lexi Fisher of Doyle Guides reports that yachties are encouraged to use the digital system as well.

Have you encountered the use of ED forms - hard copy or digital - in your clearance processes? Let us know via email to , especially if we don't mention them on Noonsite.

Yacht Security: As yachts arrive in the Caribbean for the start of the yachting season, so crime reports have increased. Thieves have been very active this month in both St. Martin and Sint Maarten with numerous yacht burglaries and dinghy/outboard thefts reported. A catamaran moored in St. Kitts was boarded at night and burgled and thieves are again active in the Bocas del Toro Marina anchorage in Panama. Another report has come in from yachts transiting offshore Venezuela, this time from a double-handed crew on passage from Los Roques to Grenada who managed to fend off armed pirates at night. All security reports on Noonsite can be seen here.

The Caribbean Safety and Security Net now have a new volunteer addition to their team - thank you to everyone who offered help. CSSN have published security summaries for 2023 - useful reference for areas you are considering visiting this season in and around the Caribbean. See their summary of violent events against cruisers in 2023 and 2023 Annual Report of Crimes in the Caribbean.

Grenada: Deb Eastwood started Get Grenada Swimming 12 years ago when she found out that 90% of the island population didn't know how to swim. They are always looking for volunteers to help teach kids and adults how to swim.

French Antilles: A fond farewell to a long-term contact of Noonsite's in the French Antilles, Richard Bayle. Richard has hung up his oilskins and is moving away from the liveaboard life after many years providing cruisers with local information and support. A huge thankyou Richard for all your efforts over the years.

Panama: The final staged increase in canal transit fees takes place on 1 January, 2025, when small boats will have to pay an additional $195 in toll fees. However, an unexpected additional booking fee was unannounced just a few days before year end that will set back yacht owners a further $500. Called a Vessel Scheduling Fee, it is being implemented to better accommodate vessels that cannot be booked through the regular reservation system, but require coordination with the Canal to be scheduled for transit. Many yachts lined up to transit in January and February will have to accept this new fee, however, it may affect the decisions of many small yacht owners who are still considering whether or not to go through Panama. See a breakdown of all fees at Noonsite's Panama Canal Transit Guide. Our thanks to Erick Gálvez of Centenario Consulting, Panama, for keeping Noonsite advised.

Cruiser Rob Murray from Panama reports that Puerto Armuelles on the Pacific coast of Panama is once again open as a port of entry and exit (it closed during the Pandemic). Unfortunately the derelict pier has not been restored, so beach landings are still required.

Saba: Patrick Catellani recently visited and reports "Overall, Saba is a fantastic spot for scuba diving, boasting beautiful underwater landscapes and diverse marine life. Just be prepared for heavy swells and plan accordingly for communication, as Starlink is blocked here."

This article has been provided by the courtesy of noonsite.com.