India - Restrictions
India Restrictions for Yachts
Many restricted areas in India require special permits to visit. See a full list at https://boi.gov.in/boi/public/pages/ea8303e5-a167-48cb-857a-31b475fe7575
Satellite Phone:
The use of any type of satellite telephone in India is permitted only after obtaining a license from the Department of Telecommunications.
Persons caught using a satellite phone without a license will be prosecuted, and any unauthorized satellite phones found in their possession will be confiscated.
Drones:
The Government of India has issued guidelines for the use of drones in India, and it is important to comply with them to avoid any legal issues.
A Unique Identification Number (UIN) and an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP) for your drone must be obtained from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is required for all commercial and non-commercial drone operations in India. For more information, visit the webpage of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
For application and procedure for registration: https://digitalsky.dgca.gov.in/home
Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
Foreign tourists are permitted to visit the 30 Islands in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands without the need for a Restricted Area Permit (RAP).
Visit the official website for Andaman & Nicobar Tourism website for more details.
Lakshadweep Islands:
https://lakshadweep.gov.in/
For foreign tourists, possessing a valid passport and an Indian visa is mandatory for entry into India, including Lakshadweep. An Entry Permit is required and must be obtained in advance.
The entry permit form is available online and requires submission to the administrator. Visitors can create an account, fill out the form with the relevant information, select the preferred island and travel dates, upload the required documents, and pay. The permission is usually sent via email 15 days before the trip.
Entry Permit Portal: https://epermit.utl.gov.in/
Alternatively, you can download the application form from the Lakshadweep Administration website or obtain it from the District Collector’s office in Kavaratti. The completed form, along with the required documents, should be submitted to the Collector’s office.
Note: The offline process may take longer, so make your plans well in advance.
Navigation:
India’s coastal waters are teeming with small craft and great care must be taken especially when sailing at night, as most of them do not carry lights; collisions are frequent.
Last updated: February 2024
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We cleared in at Kochi after sending pre-arrival notification (PANS). First Port (Harbor) Control came to see us, but they asked questions without coming on board. Then Health, who came on board, did a temperature check but no masks required (and he did not ask about our vaccination status) and finally Port Marina and Immigration.
They all had 3 copies of questionnaires and wanted to know the last 10 ports visited(one wanted to know the last 10 countries visited). They wanted to see the ships papers, number, port registration, etc. etc. They wrote everything down on all 3 copies.
The day after the visits on board, we had to visit the office of immigration. They entered some of the data into a computer. Then we had to go to the Port Marina office and answer some more questions. We had to pay (me and 1 crew) around 1200 rupies (approx. $15). We got a statement that we would be allowed to leave the anchorage and move to the marina. Then we had to go to customs .. which by mistake were not informed. A questionnaire was prepared and a Customs officer went with us in the dinghy back to the boat. He inspected the boat and put the Iridium Go phone in a compartment and sealed it. Then he wrote down some food we had .. white beans 3 cans, red beans 2 cans, fruit peach 2 cans … and so forth.
Back at the Customs office he guided us to another Customs department where my ships papers were taken as a deposit. We then had to wait around 30 minutes while that guy then got some other departments informed. Then we could leave.
There is a local guy that helps you. He and his brother took over the “service” from their father. He contacts sailors and offers help. He is not a clearing agent nor an approved importer, but he knows his way around all the offices. He’s called Nisam – phone +91 97464 62686.
27 hours after arrival we could proceed to the marina.
In general India (or at least the state of Kerala), probably doesn’t understand the cash / income they could make with yachts visiting. Maitenance of the marina is bad.
What comes first? Infrastructure for boats or the boats? I would not recommend others to stop here.
E-Visa normally processed in 72hours not 60days. Took 12 hours for our visas to be granted.
Lakshadweep Islands: Update received from Indian boat owner who was granted a permit to visit these islands for a period of 9 days in February 2015. He reports that the process is difficult and one must push to get an answer from the Island Administrator. See RESTRICTIONS above in the Formalities section for details of how to apply for a permit.
Posted on behalf of Brian Thurlow from Cochin, India:
It is difficult, or nearly impossible for foreign boats to visit the Lakshadweep Islands. We have one Indian owned catamaran in the marina who did the trip last year with at least one European crew. I will contact him for details. He said it was difficult, but not impossible. Waiting for an update.
Does anyone have any info on visiting the Lakshadweep islands?
Was in Kochi (Cochin) at the end of February 2014 on s/y Anima. Stay in International Marina. You must anchor off near Port Control for clearance. Port security comes onboard to check the boat, after that you will go ashore with a security officer for customs and immigration. Be ready to spend a whole day (or more, if you come on Sunday). After clearance, you’ll go to the Harbourmaster office to take permission to go to Marina. Channel to the marina is good markered, but not so good dragged – there was 1.8 minimal depth at MHWS, take care! Marina is empty but still works. Maybe you will meet Bebe – tuk-tuk driver. You can solve almost any problem with his assistance.