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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/getting_here_yacht.htmlfor 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 westernci@pulau.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.

Customs Requirements

All vessels planning to visit Christmas Island must provide at least 96 hours notice of their impending arrival to Customs. The pre-arrival report must include:

  • Name of vessel
  • Nationality and port of registry of vessel
  • Last 10 ports of call (if not from Australia)
  • Name, nationality, visa details and passport number and role of all aboard

These details may be forwarded by email to DMWACI@customs.gov.au or by fax on +61 8 9164 7205.

All appropriate information should be made available to Customs on arrival including:

  • Passports
  • Incoming passenger cards (will be supplied if not held on vessel)
  • Last port clearance
  • Vessel registration papers

Requirements for departure will be discussed during inwards processing.


On arrival, contact Customs either by phone +61 8 9164 7228 or mobile on +61 439215125 or on VHF Channel 16 to arrange a suitable time for Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Checks. No person is permitted to disembark prior to contact being made.

Quarantine Requirements

AQIS Requirements – Vessels arriving at Christmas Island are subject to Quarantine as they would be on the Australian mainland. This includes vessels arriving from the mainland or from Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

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 – Raw crabmeat or crabmeat products are prohibited on Christmas Island. Eggs and uncooked poultry/ bird products from countries other than Australia are prohibited. Fresh fruit and vegetables are permitted if free from pest, disease and soil contamination. All food must remain onboard the vessel.

Animals and Plants – No live animals including cats, dogs, birds or fish will be allowed off the vessel. The animals will have control or confinement requirements placed on them. Failure to comply will result in the destruction of the animal and prosecution of the Master. Plants are to be kept below deck at all time.

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 by phone on +61 8 9164 7456 or by email at Christmas.Island@aqis.gov.au

Bunkering

Gaseng Petroleum has 19 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, Bailey's Marine Fuels in Fremantle, 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 < 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 secured to the commercial moorings. 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 secured to the commercial moorings. 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.