Approach

The Port of Christmas Island is situated near the northern tip of Christmas Island at coordinates Latitude 10 25’S and Longitude 105 40’ E. The Christmas Island community welcomes yachts to call at Flying Fish Cove and make use of the deep water moorings installed in 30 metres of water. Visit www.christmas.net.au/yachts.htm for information useful to visiting yachts and other vessels.

Approach Instructions

Masters to be aware that vessels In excess of 150GRT will require Pilotage. Contact the Harbour Master by phone +61 8 9164 8434 or mobile +61 439215225 or on VHF Channel 16. Contact can also be made by email at ciport@dotars.gov.cx

All vessels arriving at Christmas Island from overseas (including Australia and Cocos (Keelings) islands) are required to undergo Quarantine, Customs and Immigration clearance before any person is permitted to disembark.

On arrival, contact Customs either by phone +61 8 9164 7228 or mobile on +61 439215225 or on VHF Channel 16 to arrange a suitable time for Customs and Immigration Checks. Contact can be made by email on dmwaci@customs.gov.au

Vessels arriving during the night are requested to advise Police/Customs of their arrival at 08:00 the following morning.

Please be prepared to provide the following information:

• Name and flag of vessel
• Number of crew including:
  • Nationality & visa status
  • Last port of call
  • Any illness of passengers or crew
  • Any animals on board

Vessels, either arriving or departing, are subject to full Australian Immigration requirements. All appropriate documentation should be made available to Customs. This includes:

• Passport/visa (all foreign nationals, except New Zealanders) must have a valid visa)
• Incoming/outgoing Immigration cards
• Port clearance
• Firearm/drug declarations
• CTRA declaration (carrying more than A$10,000 cash)

Quarantine Requirements

Vessels arriving at Christmas Island are subject to Quarantine as they would be on the Australian mainland. This includes vessels arriving from the Australian mainland.

Yellow Quarantine Flag – On arrival vessels must display the yellow quarantine Flag. No one is to board or leave the vessel until cleared by Quarantine and Customs.

Prohibited Goods – Some restrictions apply to egg and poultry products if sourced from outside Australia. Insect infested material may also require intervention.

Animals and Plants – All live animals and plants including cats, dogs, birds, fish and plants must be confined on board the vessel. The Quarantine Officer may choose to place animals and plants under bond. The same must not come into contact with other humans and animals on Christmas Island or they will have to be destroyed.

Waste Disposal – No garbage or galley waste is to be dumped into the sea while in port. All garbage and/or galley waste from a vessel is considered quarantine waste and must not be removed without written permission from a quarantine Officer. If the Quarantine Office orders the waste to be disposed under quarantine conditions, the vessel crew will be liable for any fees levied by the local shire in respect of that waste.

For more information on quarantine requirements on Christmas Island, please contact the CI Quarantine Service on Christmas.Island@aqis.gov.au

Bunkering

Gaseng Petroleum has 12 years experience supplying gasoil and lubricants to vessels.

Deliveries can be pre-arranged through international bunkers companies such as Rossmare International (see their site at www.rossmare.com),Scandinavian Bunkering AS, Major Yacht Services in Sydney, Trinity Petroleum in Cairns or direct through Gaseng Petroleum.

The gasoil supplied by Gaseng Petroleum complies with the latest Australian Fuel Standards set out by Environment Australia. Typical specifications of the product include a < 0.05% sulphur and FBT of 1.1 max. Full specifications can be made available on request.

Shore to vessel bunkering takes place a Smith Point west of Flying Fish Cove where there is a system of buoys and chains.

Vessels under 200 tonnes requiring less than 20,000 litres will be moored at a single mooring and anchored to cliff face. Fuel will be supplied via a 100 metre 32mm diesel transfer hose at a flow rate of 110 litres per minute. We have available a variety of nozzle sizes and quick acting fittings.

Vessels over 200 tonnes and requiring in excess of 20,000 litres will be moored between buoys with lines to the cliff face. Fuel will be supplied via a combination of 100 metre and a 50 metre 100mm or 50mm diesel transfer hoses at a flow maximum rate of 1450 litre per minute. The flow rate can be controlled to suit the vessel fuel tank breathing system and pipe work. We have a variety of adaptors and fittings to cater for a number of different size requirements.

The deployment and recovery of the 100mm hoses will require support from the CI Marine Department. The cost of this deployment will be borne by the owner of vessel.

The payment for fuel purchases can be pre-arranged. Alternatively payment can be made by cash or all major credit cards except Diners and American Express. Westpac Banking Corporation operates a branch on Christmas Island, but there is no ATM facilities. The branch offers full banking services and will exchange foreign currencies. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.30am – 3pm.

The Christmas Island Post office is a Commonwealth Bank Agency and provides services for many other banks including Citibank, Statewest, Bankwest, Metway, Hong Kong Bank of Australia & Adelaide Bank. EFTPOS and EPOS are available as well as cash advances from credit cards of up to A$800 per day.