New Clearance Regulations in the DR Go Long Way to Solve Legacy of Problems

DECREE No. 280-09

The President of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernandez signed a new Decree (No. 280-09) amending already existing Law regarding pleasure yachts. The Decree has been a result of almost a year long efforts of privately owned marinas in the Dominican Republic, Ocean World Marina, among others, to overcome existing challenges that many vessels’ owners, passengers and crew had experienced in Dominican ports that has as consequence given the Dominican Republic bad publicity in yachting magazines and websites.  Early in May of this year the General Supervisor of the Dominican ports informed privately owned Marinas that the President had signed a new Decree in order to regulate the marine industry simplify the procedure and improve the image the Dominican Republic as yachting destination. The President has reinforced that the yacht industry is a very important part of the Dominican tourism.  The Port Authority would be overseeing the implementation of the new Decree and the Dominican Navy would be in charge of policing.
The resume of the new Decree stated in Layman Terms:

1. That any Private Yacht coming to a Private Marina in the DR from a foreign port will not be boarded by all the different governmental officials, but only one Navy representative with one other official can search the vessel if there has been a report of suspicious activity on the vessel.
2. That all other Governmental forms are to be filled out in the marina offices by the Captain of the vessel.
3. Transparency of Payments: All monetary payments are to be made to the marinas directly and will show on the receipt given to the yacht when they leave the particular marina.
4. The following fees will be charged by the Dominican Port Authority, Dominican Navy and Immigration:
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   Five percent (5%) of the vessel’s dockage before tax charged by Dominican Port Authority.
   –
   Ten (10) USD or equivalent in Dominican Pesos to the Dominican Navy for a Dispatch Letter only when departing to a foreign port.
   –
   Ten (10) USD for each passenger on the vessel (excluding the crew of the Vessel) paid to Immigration.
   –
   Sixteen (16) USD (or DOP 500) for each crew or passenger that leaves the Dominican Republic or arrives to the country by plane and is desenrolling or enrolling on a vessel.
5. Dominican Port Authority was going to charge two (2) percent of all fuel invoices. This has being put on hold until further notice due to it unpopularity with all the marinas.
6. Vessels traveling in Dominican waters from one marina to another do not pay any fees regarding the Dispatch Letter. The Captain of the vessel must inform the marina with his name, vessel’s name and the number of passengers on board of the vessel any time the vessel leaves the marina. The 5% of the dockage fee in the marinas covers cruising permits up to 90 days.
7. There is going to be a new vessel entrance form that will be filled out with the vessel, crew and passenger information. This will be given to all governmental authorities and one copy to the captain of the vessel as proof of entry and clearance when traveling between marinas in the DR. This document is still being made by the marinas and needs to be approved by the Dominican Port Authority.

As mentioned above, Ocean World Marina has, along with other privately owned marinas in the Dominican Republic, persevered in its efforts to demand from governmental authorities the new regulations of the marine industry that would simplify the procedure and give the Dominican Republic the place it deserves as yachting destination. Ocean World Marina, Casino and Adventure Park (www.oceanworldmarina.com) have welcomed many different yachts and owners, crew and passengers have been impressed by the diversity of the Ocean World facilities, along with Dominican friendly people, breath taking beaches and pristine country sides.