How to Check-In into Andaman Islands, India on your yacht.
The process is not as complicated as it appears to be. You just need too many lists.
Check-In Overview
Welcome to the shores of the spectacular Andaman & Nicobar Islands! To ensure a stress-free transition from the open sea to our vibrant coastline, we’ve outlined a clear, step-by-step check-in journey. Whether you are arriving from international or territorial waters, our guided process helps you navigate Customs, Immigration, and security protocols with ease, ensuring a warm and compliant welcome to our beautiful coastline.
Disclaimer: Please note that this list is intended as a general guide only. While we do our very best to keep you informed and updated, it may not be fully complete or exhaustive. Think of it as a helpful starting point rather than a definitive list!
Documents & Checklists.
-
01
Before your departure towards ANDAMAN ISLANDS, India.
Get the following documents in order to avoid hassels.-
MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL - fill the Pre-Arrival
Notification of Security (PANS) form.
Official document can be found on the
Official Link of
INDIAN
REGISTRAR OF SHIPPING (CLICK
HERE).
Download the
Technical Circular No: 020/2024 PDF.or Click
the Download PDF button.
Fill the Annexure Form 1 or 2 , which ever suits best to your yacht/craft.
Usually if you are a bigger / commercial vessel, possess IMO number Annexure 1 is applicable.
Incase you are smaller a yacht travelling with friends and/or family, have only call sign and MMSI , annexure 2 can be filled.
- Make sure you have a valid visa for India - Official Website for E-Visa Online India
- Valid Passport for all personnel on board.
-
Simple Crew List can be made in an excel
sheet : Include following details in Your
Crew List :
- Vessel name, flag, type (sail / motor yacht)
- Port of Registration, Registration Number, Gross Tonnage, Net Tonnage, LOA in meters, Beam in meters, Draft
- Call Sign & MMSI Number
- Owner's Name & Full Address , Contact Number
- Crew details : First & Last name, M/F, Date of birth, Place of Birth, Passport Number, E-Visa Number
- Copy of Boat/Yacht Registration & Boat Insurance
- List of last 10 Port Of Call
- Last Port Clearance Copy
- A NIL Declaration by Captain for Arms & ammunition & a NIL List. This is an official declaration made by the ship's Master stating that specific restricted or prohibited items are not present on board. (For example list includes NIL declaration of :Plants, animals, Arms & ammunition, narcotics, drugs, stowaway, Thuraya or IRIDIUM satellite phones, dangerous cargo etc., )
- Provisions On Board List.
- Yachts Store Lists : Includes liquor / cigarettes, radio, fuel, lubricant, deck & engine spares.
- Yacht Currency List.
-
MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL - fill the Pre-Arrival
Notification of Security (PANS) form.
Official document can be found on the
Official Link of
INDIAN
REGISTRAR OF SHIPPING (CLICK
HERE).
Download the
Technical Circular No: 020/2024 PDF.or Click
the Download PDF button.
-
02
THE PROCESS OF CHECK-IN : There are just 4 steps to check in. If you keep your documents ready in that order, your process can be very smooth :
-
The Pre-Arrival Documentation
Process
- Email the PANS form + Crew List + Yacht / Ship Registration Copy before your departure towards Andaman Islands, India.
- Send this email to all the following email
addresses:
- Coastguard and Marine rescue Center : mrcc-ptb@indiancoastguard.nic.in
- The Harbour Master : hm.pmb@nic.in
- Security Port Management Board : mgrsecpmb@gmail.com
- Immigration Office Sri Vijaya Puram : sea.portpblair@and.nic.in
- The Customs Office: mch.portblair@gmail.com and mch.port-blair@gov.in
-
From 10-12 nautical miles try reaching out
to port control on VHF in Sri Vijaya Puram.
Have
patience sometimes signals don't reach. Call
On
VHF CH 16 or CH 10 (Sri
Vijaya Puram Port Control Channel)
and ask for permission to enter the
channel.
DO NOT ENTER THE CHANNEL IF YOU DON'T HAVE PERMISSION TO ENTER
You will have to stay on on your boat/yacht untill all the process is complete.
You will be informed by the port control on the radio. Monitor your radio.- ONLY once permitted, move to the Haddo anchorage area next to the green channel marker bouy near by these coordinates 11°41’N, 092°42’E
- Inform the port control that you are waiting for check-in and arrival process.
- Check-in happens in three steps:- Immigration, The Customs, & The Coast Guard Boarding.
-
The Immigration : Required document set &
you might have to pick them up from the
jetty, they will inform you when to to the jetty for pick up, keep your tender ready.
- Copy of ship's / yacht's registration
- Crew Lists with copies of passports and Indian Visa
-
The Customs Department : Required document
set & you might have to pick them up from
the jetty, they will inform you when to to the jetty for pick up, keep your tender ready.
- Provisions List - General List of food items on your yacht.
- Yachts Store List - List of Alcohol, Cigerretts, Electronic navigation & radio equipment, fuel, water , spares etc.
- Yachts Currency List - Currencies that you have on your yacht.
- Pharmacy/Medicine Lists.
- NIL Declaration Letter and NIL List.
- Last 10 port of call list.
- Last Port Clearance.
- Ship Registration Copy.
-
The COAST GUARD Boarding : Required Document
Set and
they arrive on their own boat, and will come
and tie along side your boat. You may just
need to wait on your boat.
- Crew List with copy of crew passport and Indian visa
- List of Communication and Navigation Equipment
- Once all of these processes complete they will inform you that now you are allowed to visit the island and go on land.
-
The Pre-Arrival Documentation
Process
MAKE NOTE : The documents
given to you by the officials please keep them
seperate, due to a lot of paperwork or
print-outs, it's easy to get the original
clearance papers mixed up and
accidently taken by the authorities.
PLEASE MAKE
SURE TO KEEP CLEARANCE PAPERS GIVEN BY CUSTOMS OR
COASTGUARD OR IMMIGRATION SEPERATE AND
SECURE UNTIL YOUR DEPARTURE.
General Information
-
Internet & Indian SIM Card
You can buy an Indian SIM Card only after completion of your check-In process. Carry your passport with you for identification.
Major providers in Andaman islands are Airtel, Jio, and BSNL(govt. provider). Further away islands when you are cruising around may or may not have good reception of mobile network.
-
Major Tourists Island
Three islands Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep, and Shaheed Dweep are the major tourist attractions and are populated with many restaurants, resorts and bars that offer Indian and international cuisine.
Further away islands are more laid back and provide you with an authentic local experience in terms of their vegetable/fish markets, cuisine, culture and usually isolated calm and quiet beaches. Here having expectations will not be of much help in terms of spares and service of any sort.
-
Auto / Tuk-Tuk
Its very difficult to provide with a standard pricing because across different islands and distances they don't work with the meter or have a standard price list. But always consider being a tourists you will be asked for higher prices.
How much you save on your tuk-tuk costs depends on how good your negotiating skills are. Good Luck & Have Fun!
Your best option to save substancial amount of money if you plan to travel multiple days or multiple trips around the island in a day is to rent a scooter - BEST VALUE FOR MONEY! (P.S : Google maps works. Download the area maps in advance, in case you have no network reception.) -
Contacts
In case if you require agents for your Yacht Clearance :
-
Mr. Mohd A Jadwet
DIRECTOR
E-Mail: rajmarinepb@gmail.com
E-Mail: operations@rajmarineservice.com
Ph: +91 993215377, +91 9932082001
Web: rajmarineservice.com
Offered Services : Customs & Immigration Clearance, Berth Arrangements, Crew Support, Technical Support & Maintenance, Supplies/Provisioning -
Mr. R Rathnam
E-Mail: yachtagency@andamanholidays.com
Ph: +91 9932089595
Web: andamanholidays.com
Offered Services : Documentations and Port Clearance, Provisioning, Island excursion
-
TAXI
Ravi - Phone: +91 9933292031