Dominican Republic - regulation update for bribery prevention

by Sail-World Cruising on 31 Aug 2009 Dominican Republic, that 'other half' of the Caribbean island of Haiti and long infamous for the bribery necessary for cruising sailors to check into the country, has changed its rules to allow local marinas to carry out the procedures.

This has been the result of a long campaign by marine organisations in the country.

In spite of the difficulties of check-in and moving from one port to another, Dominican Republic has become, nevertheless a popular place for cruising sailors, particularly weather-protected Luperon.

This popular cruising meeting place is close enough to Santo Domingo to enable the better provisioning available there, it has a strong cruising community, and is a good base from which to visit the interior. Repairs and other yacht services are available in the port.

Detailed information about cruising in the Dominican Republic can be obtained from Frank Virgintino's comprehensive and free downloadable cruising guide at www.dominicanrepubliccruisingguide.com.

The resume of the new Decree stated in Layman Terms:

1.That any Private Yacht coming to a Private Marina in the Dominican Republic(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:
- 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.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.

6.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.


About the Dominican Republic:

Potted History:
Arawaks were living on the island when Columbus visited it during his first voyage. The island was settled by the Spanish until the French gained control of the western half. In 1804 the independent republic of Haiti was founded in the west and the Haitians plundered the eastern Spanish half of the island. Sovereignty remained in dispute until finally in 1844 the Dominican Republic was founded. With brief periods controlled by the Spaniards and the USA, the country was prone to coup, civil war and ongoing political instability. Since 1996, when international reaction to flawed elections forced the president to relinquish power, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency.

Today's DR:
Economic problems are the dominant political issue, with violent demonstrations occurring in the 1980s against economic hardship. The country has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, but in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. The population is 9.5 million. Most are a mixture of African and Spanish origins, and Spanish is spoken.

Ports of entry:
North coast:, Puerto Plata 19°49’N 70°42’W (Ocean World Marina 19°50 N 70°43'53' W), Luperon (Puerto Blanco) 19°55’N 70°56’W.

South coast: Casa de Campo 18°24'N 68°55'W?, Santo Domingo 18°28’N 69°53’W, Punta Cana 18°32'N 68 °22'W?, Las Salinas 18° 16' N 71° 19' W.

Facilities:
There are good standard marinas in Boca Chica, Casa de Campo, Luperon, Puerto Plata and Punta Cana, with all expected facilites. Santo Domingo is the best for provisioning.
Only basic repair facilities are available at Samaná where there is fuel and water on the dock and a good fresh produce market.