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Bermuda Logistics

Bermuda Race Headquarters


The RBYC is the centre of activity for racers and their families while in Bermuda. With ample dockage for nearly all visiting yachts (by arrangement), a well stocked bar and restaurant and duty officer, the RBYC is a capable generous race host.

Bermuda Related Documents & Forms


Note that Customs and Immigration forms are not available for download. These may be secured at Race Headquarters in Newport before departure.

Important Information


Getting from St. Georges to Hamilton after finishing

Yachts proceeding between St. George’s and Hamilton.

After finishing the race, and PRIOR TO ENTERING the ship channel proceeding to Hamilton, yachts are requested to contact Marine Operations on VHF Channel 16 or 27 to receive an update on shipping traffic.

The Swing Bridge at Ferry Reach is currently closed for extensive repair work. All boats proceeding to Hamilton Harbour will need to sail around Fort St. Catherine and up the North Shore.

IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT VESSELS CROSSING THE FINISH LINE AFTER DARK REMAIN IN ST. GEORGE’S HARBOUR UNTIL DAY LIGHT, SO AS NOT TO UNECESSARILY PUT AT RISK THE SAFETY OF THE VESSEL, THOSE ON BOARD AND EMERGENCY SERVICES PERSONNEL.

Yachts entering St. George's Harbour at night shall anchor in the quarantine area to the south of the town identified on the charts as Powder Hole. They will remain under quarantine, and crews must remain onboard until proceeding to the Customs Department at RBYC in Hamilton at daybreak.

YACHTS TRANSITING THE CHANNELS AT NIGHT DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK. ANY TOW ASSISTANCE REQUIRED, AND ASSOCIATED COSTS, DUE TO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS OR GROUNDING WILL BE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE VESSEL OWNER.

Vessels with serious mechanical, rigging or medical problems onboard that are unable to proceed to Hamilton in the normal manner should contact Maritime Operations for further guidance on Customs Department clearance.

Anchoring/ Berthing at RBYC

Yachts, when anchoring, are warned to be careful of the submarine cable between Albuoy’s Point, the western end of White’s Island and Hodson’s Ferry Landing. All yachts at anchor should berth, for their own safety, WELL CLEAR of the Main Ship Channel (making due allowances for Southerly winds) as outlined in the charts and, if their anchor berth is temporarily vacated, are recommended to leave a mark buoy.

The RBYC has reserved moorings in their marina for class winners and those with pre-arranged reservations. Yachts should contact the RBYC Marina Manager on VHF Channel 74 once they have passed through Two Rock Passage and are proceeding down Hamilton Harbour. The RHADC will monitor VHF Channel 73. The Finish Line Committee will monitor VHF Channel 72.

All vessels must have sufficient fenders, dock lines and anchor ready on arrival at RBYC. Please be patient when it comes to docking as the Marina Manager cannot be everywhere at once and will be working to get everyone docked as quickly and efficiently as possible. Our Marina Team actively follows YB Tracking and AIS.

It would be appreciated if yachts could fly dress colours and flags after berthing for the duration of their stay.

Hours for Berthing:

6am – 12midnight. There will be no berthing available outside of these times. Yachts are requested to anchor in the Harbour between the hours of 12am and 6am. PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE MARINA ON YOUR OWN.

Shore Power:

The RBYC cannot guarantee that there will be a shore power outlet available for all yachts due to the large number of yachts in this event; therefore, shore power electricity will be available at the RBYC Marina on a first come / first served basis. Yachts are required to bring their own shore power leads plus adaptors if they would like power. Shore power options are 120v 30 amp or 120/240v 50 amp. Electricity use will be charged at $25/day per connection connected to shore power.

The RBYC Marina Manager, [email protected] or 441-294-6710.

OTHER BERTHING:

Yachts intending to berth off the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club (Tel: 441-295-3000), or off the RHADC (Tel: 441-236-2250) are requested to inform their Dock Master well in advance. Owners and skippers of yachts using the facilities of Hamilton Harbour during Bermuda Race Week are warned to expect heavy shipping traffic and to be guided accordingly.

Checking In/Clearing In at RBYC

Pre-Race: 

Bermuda Department of Border Control officers will be posted at Race Headquarters in Newport to provide pre-clearance services. In order to take advantage of this each individual crew member must apply in person with passport in hand (and return flight confirmation if applicable – see below), as well as the completed Maritime Travel Authorization and Customs Traveller Declaration (a single form may be presented for immediate family members sharing a common household). Skippers must also provide the completed Bermuda Customs Clearance and Additional Crew

and Passenger list. All forms will be provided in Newport. Pre-clearing will help avoid long waits to clear in at RBYC and put you closer to that first post-race Dark ’n Stormy. The Border Control officers will process and return all crew-forms to skippers (boat representative). Upon arrival in Bermuda these forms are to be presented to Border Control desk at the RBYC.

Bermuda Department of Border Control Officers will be at registration in the Newport Pre-race Headquarters at Sail Newport, in Fort Adams State Park for pre-clearance during the following dates and hours: 

Tuesday, June 18th 8:00 am to 7:00 pm

Wednesday, June 19th 8:00 am to 7:00 pm

Thursday, June 20th 8:00 am to 6:00 pm 

Racing crew returning by air: If you’re racing to Bermuda but flying home, you’ll need to present your return ticket, boarding pass or airline confirmation to Bermuda Department of Border Control during your in-person pre-clearance interview at Sail Newport. E-tickets are acceptable BUT documentary proof of ticket MUST be shown, i.e. printout showing Locator ID and confirmation of flight itinerary. 

Return crew arriving by air: In order to clear Border Control at Bermuda’s airport, you’ll need a letter from your skipper confirming you’re a part of the boat’s return trip crew and an anticipated departure date. You’ll also need your passport and a completed Bermuda Customs form (they are supplied by your airline, in flight), , along with a completed Bermuda Travel Authorization

Racing crew returning on a different boat: In these circumstances you’ll also need a letter from your return boat skipper confirming you’re a part of the boat’s return trip crew and an anticipated departure date. 

Border Control Officers will be stationed in the Trophy Lounge at the RBYC. This office will be manned during the following periods: 

Saturday, June 18th TBD as Required

Sunday, June 19th TBD as Required

Monday, June 20th 8:00am to 8:00pm **

Tuesday, June 21st 8:00am to 8:00pm **

Wednesday, June 22nd 8:00am to 7:00pm

Thursday, June 23rd 8:00am to 4:00pm

Friday, June 24th If required **

Saturday, June 25th 8:00am to 3:00pm

Sunday, June 26th 8:00am to 3:00pm 

** Hours may be extended depending upon number of boats expected to dock 

Boats that Pre-Cleared in Newport: Only the skipper needs to report to Border Control officers to submit, for all crew who sailed: 

• Customs Traveller Declarations for each crew 

• Bermuda Customs Clearance and Additional Crew and Passenger List 

• Declaration of Health for the yacht. 

Boats that did NOT Pre-Clear in Newport

All boats that did not take advantage of pre-clearing in Newport MUST clear at the Yacht Reporting Centre in St. George’s. Only boats that pre-cleared in Newport may clear at the RBYC. Crew that did not pre-clear in Newport must accompany their skipper to the Border Control Officers in Bermuda with their passport and all paperwork outlined above.

Yachts must fly their Quarantine Flag (Yellow Code Flag ‘Q’) until papers have been cleared by the Customs Department at the RBYC.

If any crew member has a contagious disease, the quarantine flag must remain hoisted and all crew members must remain aboard until a Medical Officer clears the yacht. 

Boats not pre-cleared in Newport: For those not using pre-clearance of Border Control formalities in Newport, the skipper will have to present, in addition to the above, for all crew members

• Maritime Travel Authorization 

• Valid passports to the Customs Officers at the RBYC

• Completed Custom's forms

There are no Port charges as the customary passenger tax has been waived for the event. Documentation requirements are as for pre-clearance set out above. 

Customs Clearance for Boats Berthed At Other Marinas: All yachts must clear H. M. Customs at RBYC.

IMMIGRATION DETAILS

PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP AND IDENTIFICATION

All travelers must carry with them proof of citizenship and personal identification (including government issued photo ID) relevant to a return to their own country or for re-entry through another foreign country, as required by Bermuda Immigration authorities. This applies to adults and children traveling alone or with their parents. 

Visitors from the United States of America must present a valid, machine-readable U.S. passport. Persons born outside of the USA, who are landed immigrants in the USA, must be in possession of a valid, machine- readable passport in addition to their landed Immigrations Status card (green card) 

Visitors from Canada must present a valid, machine-readable Canadian Passport. Citizens born outside of Canada who are landed immigrants in Canada must be in possession of a valid, machine-readable passport in addition to their landed Immigrations Status card.

Visitors from the U.K. and Western Europe must present a valid, machine-readable passport from their country. 

Whatever the visitor’s country of origin, several things should be stressed: 

- Driver’s licenses are not acceptable as proof of citizenship.

- Foreign citizens not bearing one of the listed documents may be refused entry into Bermuda. Specific requirements can be obtained from your own Immigration Department.

- Neither Bermuda nor U.S. Immigration Authorities accept a notarized copy of birth certificate, or similar non-governmental document as proof of citizenship (must present a machine readable passport).

- Married women whose identification documents are in their maiden name, but who are traveling under their married name, should also carry their marriage certificate, or a certified copy, as further proof of identify.

- -       

All bona fide visitors are allowed to remain in Bermuda for (180 days) unless restricted by an Immigration Officer. Due to Legislation, there is no opportunity to extend the length of stay for a yachtsman beyond the aforementioned length of time. For any questions, please contact the Department of Immigration’s Compliance Section at (441)-293-2542.



VISAS & VISA CONTROLLED NATIONALS (VCN)

With effect at March 1, 2014, Bermuda entry visas and visa waivers are no longer required for tourists. To be landed in Bermuda as a Visa Controlled National, the following requirements must be met: 

• all travelers who require a multi re-entry visa (MRV) for the UK, US or Canada must present this visa- type upon application to land in Bermuda; 

• the MRV for the UK, US or Canada must be valid for 45 days beyond the expiration of a visitor’s intended stay; 

• all travelers must possess a passport that is valid for 45 days past the expiration of their intended stay in Bermuda; and 

• arranged accommodation in Bermuda. 

Persons whose MRV and passport validity is less than 45 days will not be landed. 

Bottom line is the traveler does not need a Bermuda Entry visa but if a VCN arrives without a multiple re- entry visa (MRV) they will not be permitted to leave the vessel for departure by air, they will have to leave onboard that vessel and may be confined to that vessel until it departs Bermuda waters. Of course each case will be judged based on its merits. 

BERMUDA DUTY DESK CHECK IN AND REQUIREMENTS

As per SIs skippers are reminded that the following must be handed in to the Duty Officers’ Desk at the RBYC, after clearing Customs: 

1. Certificate of Compliance

2. Onboard Training Certificate signed by all participating crew. Yachts will not be scored without submissions of this document.

3. YellowBrick Position Transponder: Boats will not be officially scored unless the tracker is turned in.

4. Bermuda Tourism Survey Completion

5. Maritime Health Form

6. Any protest or redress forms.

RBYC Duty Desk is located in the Calabash Lounge to assist you with any inquiries at the following times **: 

Sunday, June 19th 2:00pm – 8:00pm

Monday, June 20thj – Wednesday, June 22nd 7:30am – 9:00pm

Thursday, June 23rd & Friday, June 24th 7:30am – 5:30pm

Saturday, June 25th 9:00am – 5:00pm

Sunday, June 26th 9:00am – 3:00pm 

**Opening hours may be adjusted depending upon the speed of the race 

Duty Desk: [email protected]

Participation plaques and participation ties will be available for collected and signed for at the Duty Desk.

Internet, Fax, Telephone

Telephone, Faxes, Photocopies and Email to RBYC

Duty Desk: (441) 703-3753 or [email protected]

Telephone: (441) 295-2214

Facsimile: (441) 295-6361

MOBILE PHONES

Bermuda supports world-class cellular communications. Both mobile operators on Island have relationships with all the major carriers around the world, which will allow you to use your phone while in Bermuda. All support 4G/LTE Networks. Roaming rates can be high. 

One Communication is the proud provider of mobile services for the Bermuda Newport race organisers for the Bermuda based team. There will be various types of SIM cards are available for purchase at the Duty Desk in the Trophy Lounge at the RBYC which will allow competitors to have a local number. 

One Communications: +1 441 700-7000 www.onecomm.bm. 

Digicel: +1.441.500.5000 https://www.digicelgroup.com/bm/en.html

COURIER/MAIL SERVICES

Mailboxes Unlimited on Bermudian Road

Guests will find a full range of facilities for faxing, photocopying and courier services at Mailboxes. Open Monday to Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm and Saturday 9:00pm – 5:30pm. For more information call (441) 292- 6563. 

INTERNET FACILITIES

Wi-Fi access will be available at RBYC during the event dependent upon volume of usage: 

Network Name: RBYC

Password: RBYC1844!

Due to the heavy usage, it would be appreciated if you could disable Wi-Fi when not in use. 

Laundry

Pickup/Drop Off Laundry

Arrangements have been made for a laundry service from Tuesday 25th to Friday 29th June from the Especially For You Laundry (phone 441-297-5555 or 441-338-8343). Prior arrangement can be made at www.efylaundry.com

Laundry will be collected from the RBYC Flagpole at 09:30am starting on Tuesday, June 25th. The last pickup will be Friday, June 29th at 09:30am, and the last delivery will be Saturday, June 29th at 9:00pm. 

Please note that delivery of laundry back to RBYC will be made on a cash basis only at $2.00 per pound. 

Laundry should be placed in bags clearly marked with the name of the yacht. Laundry tags can be found in your competitors’ packs upon arrival.

 

Yachtsmen are responsible for being at the Club to RECEIVE AND PAY for their laundry. 

Card operated washer/dryer machines are also available at:

Quickie Lickie Laundromat, 74 Serpentine Road (441-295-6097), a 5 minutes walk from RBYC. Monday to Saturday 6am – 10pm, Sunday 6am – 6pm.

Shore Services - Water, Fuel, Propane, Ice, and Garbage

GARBAGE COLLECTION

Garbage will be collected twice daily. Please put regular bagged garbage in the large dumpsters provided at the rear of the Club. Recyclable items (glass and cans only) should be placed in blue recycling bags.  

DIESEL, GASOLINE & PROPANE

The information below was for the 2022 race, and we expect a similar arrangement for 2024. Please stay tuned:

Upon checkin up in Newport all boats will receive (1) numbered voucher for a one-time purchase of duty-free fuel the assigned RUBIS fuel depot. These vouchers are non-transferable and will be assigned by the Customs Department officer on duty at the RBYC.  NB: Vouchers cannot be accepted at a regular marina fueling station. Please see details in your skipper pack.

Regular fuel is available at the PW’s Rubis Marine Filling Station (Tel: 441-295-3185) just west of the RBYC Marina. Note that the maximum draft at low tide is 10 ́. This service station is open from 8:00am to 6:00pm Monday through Saturday and 8:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday. Bagged ice is also available. Fuel can be purchased by credit card 24/7. 

For deeper water, fuel can be purchased by appointment at Rubis Dockyard where the maximum draft is 32 ́. (Howard Williams at 441-234-0233/441-299-7019 or [email protected]). 

Fuel is also available by prior appointment with Sol at Tiger Bay in St. George’s. (Chris Gibbons at 294-5236). 

Propane refills are available from any Gas/Petrol station, the closest being Esso Tiger Mart at the top of Bermudian Road, a 5-minute walk from the RBYC or RUBIS East Broadway, which is a 5 minute drive by bike at the East End of Hamilton City (stay on Front Street to city limits). 

Alternative, propane can be delivered by Atlantic Gas- (Arnel) +1-441-534-0404.

ICE

There will be a daily delivery of both block and bag ice from Monday, June 20th between the times of 10:00am and 11:00am and again between 3:00pm and 4:00pm. Contact K.C. Daniels Ltd. Tel: 441-236-3189/441-535-1627. $1:00 for delivery

Ice prices are as follows: 

• Whole 25 lbs block ice: $11.00 

• 25lb Block Divided Up: $12.50 

• 12.5 lbs bag cubed ice: $7.00 

• 25 lbs bag cubed ice: $10.00 

RBYC has large 25 lbs bags available on site for $12. Please see the bartenders to purchase. 

Departing from Bermuda

CLEARANCE & DEPARTURE FROM BERMUDA

All skippers must present their VESSEL CLEARANCE FORM (YELLOW COPY) to the Customs Officer at RBYC for outward clearance. It is required that immediately before departure from Bermuda, skippers provide a statement giving the name of the yacht, estimated time of departure, names, nationality and address of all people on board and proposed port of entry. 

Once Customs Department Officers are no longer stationed at the RBYC, which will be after Saturday 29th June 1700 (note a previous version of this page said Sunday at 1000), skippers must clear out at the Yacht Reporting Centre, in St. George telephone 441-297-1226. Participants should advise Customs Department that they are Newport to Bermuda Race competitors.

Skippers of yachts returning to the US with any aliens on board should ensure that the aliens present themselves to the US Immigration Officer at the US Consulate, “Crown Hill”, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, telephone 441-295-1342, fax 441-295-1592 and if their passports are in order, they will be issued an immigration permit and clearance to enter the US. This will avoid embarrassment and unnecessary delay at the yacht’s port of entry. 

DEPARTURE FROM BERMUDA

Prior to departure from Bermuda, all yachts are required to notify Maritime Operations on VHF Channel 16, to give them a departure time, Persons On Board, and next port of call in the event of an incident after they leave. Skippers are recommended to call on the way up from Hamilton as you approach the Narrows Channel. 

MARITIME OPERATIONS CONTACT DETAILS

Tel: (441) 297-1010 Fax: (441) 297-1530

Inmarsat C: 581 431010110 RCCB X or 584 431010120 RCCB X

E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Website: www.marops.bm

SSB: 4,125 kHz and 2,182 kHz

VHF: Channels 16 and 27

Bermuda Border Control


Participants in the 2024 Newport Bermuda Race can make their lives and those of Bermuda Department of Border Control officials easier by reading and following the following customs and immigration instructions.

Before Departing Newport: Pre-clear into Bermuda

Bermuda Department of Border Control officers will be posted at Race Headquarters in Newport (follow link for Race HQ hours and location) to provide pre-clearance services.  Pre-clearing will help avoid long waits to clear in at RBYC and put you closer to that first post-race Dark ’n Stormy. The Border Control officers will process and return all forms, which are then expected to be collected by captains and turned in to Border Control for the crew at RBYC check-in upon arrival in Bermuda.

Upon Arrival in Bermuda

When you arrive in Bermuda, captains will need to bring all customs paperwork for the vessel and pre-cleared crew to the duty desk when they check in. Crew not pre-cleared will need to accompany the captain with their paperwork. See above Clearing In/ Checking In at RBYC.

Clearance from Bermuda before sailing home

Captains departing Bermuda before 1200 ADT on Sunday 30 June must clear out with the Bermuda Customs Officers at RBYC between 0800 ADT on Friday 28 June and 1600 ADT on Saturday 29 June.


Captains departing Bermuda after 1200 ADT June 30th must clear out with Customs Department at the Yacht Reporting Center in St. Georges.


The Customs Department Desk at RBYC will close at 1700 ADT on Saturday 29 June


As of Thursday, June 27, vessels departing before Sunday at noon that have a full complement of crew currently on island, can start checking out now.


All captains must present their:

  • Bermuda Customs Clearance
  • Additional Crew and Passenger List – Private Yachts
  • Immigration Passenger Form and Passport for crew joining in Bermuda for the return trip

H.M. Customs will require confirmation of accommodations if crew are arriving early or staying beyond the departure of the yacht.

Delivery Crews: Flying In, Sail Out

Visitors entering Bermuda are normally expected to have a return ticket. However, those who wish to fly into Bermuda and depart by yacht should follow this procedure. The Captain of the yacht should give a letter to each crewmember who will be arriving in Bermuda by air on one-way ticket and leaving on the vessel. The letter should include the full name, date of birth, address and nationality of the crewmember, as well as the name of the vessel he or she will be joining. The Landing Permit fee of $23 must be paid on arrival to an Immigration Officer in either U.S. or Bermuda dollars. Cheques should be made payable to the Accountant General.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR CLEARING CUSTOMS:

For Captains and Crew

Each individual crew member must apply in person with:

Passport (and return flight confirmation if applicable)

  • All US, Canadian, UK and Western Europe passports must be machine readable and all passports must be valid for at least 45 days after the traveler’s expected date of departure from Bermuda.
  • Married persons travelling using their married name but whose identification is in their birth name must also present their marriage certificate or a certified copy thereof.
  • Landed immigrants in the USA or Canada must also present their landed Immigration Status card (the “green card” in the US).
  • All travelers who require a multi re-entry visa (MRV) for the US, UK or Canada must also present this visa as well, and that visa must be valid for at least 45 days after the traveler’s expected date of departure from Bermuda. 

Completed Immigration Passenger Form (Form available in Newport)

Completed Customs Traveller Declaration Form (Form available in Newport; single form may be presented for immediate family members sharing a common household).  

For Captains:

Bermuda Customs Clearance – Vessel (Form available in Newport; captains should note that this form requires crew member’s names, birth dates, and passport numbers)

Additional Crew and Passenger List – Private Yachts (Form available in Newport)

Vessel Documentation (e.g. US Documentation Certificate, state Registration Certificate or similar vessel documentation for foreign-flagged vessels)

Additional Documents:

Racing crew returning by air:  If you’re racing to Bermuda but flying home, you’ll need to present your return ticket, boarding pass or airline confirmation to Bermuda Department of Border Control during your in-person pre-clearance interview at Harbour Court or, if not pre-cleared, at your in-person interview at RBYC.

Delivery crew arriving by air into Bermuda:  In order to clear Border Control at Bermuda’s airport, you’ll need a letter from your captain confirming you’re a part of the boat’s return trip crew and an anticipated departure date. You’ll also need your passport and completed Bermuda Immigration Passenger and Customs Traveller Declaration forms (they are supplied by your airline, in flight).

Racing crew returning on a different boat:  In these circumstances you’ll also need a letter from your return boat captain confirming you’re a part of the boat’s return trip crew and an anticipated departure date.

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