Report by SY Gryphon 2, based on a visit February 2015

There is an excellent PDF available online with more information at the St Helena tourist board website www.sthelenatourism.com

Approach and Mooring

Easy. The moorings are just north of…15 55.4S 05 43.05 W. They are large, secure and reasonably yacht friendly. Anchoring would not be easy and the moorings are charged at only £2 a day for the yellow ones (up to 20 tonnes) and the red ones £3 a day (up to 50 tonnes). There is also a one-off charge of £40.

The ferry service is reliable and prompt (£2 p.p. return) responding on VHF Ch 08. However, it does not run after about 18:30. Leaving a dinghy afloat would not be easy, nor would lifting the dinghy out if using an outboard. Otherwise, the landing was OK when we were there, although we did not have much of a swell. The landing clearly has the potential to be very dangerous or even impossible, but by then you would not want to be on the moorings either!

Formalities

Easy… see Pdf mentioned at top of the report.

Facilities

Jamestown is a very attractive small town reminiscent of Lymington, with Georgian buildings climbing the hill. There is a good range of shops which have a good choice of food except for fresh fruit and veg unless the RMS St Helena has been in. There is some veg grown on the island including potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, leeks, and cabbage when we were there. The best local produce is available in the old market building, but you need to be there early! There were also beetroot, onions, and garlic available but no salad. If there appear to be no eggs available ask at Solomons Supermarket, they can probably get some for you. There are a couple of reasonable hardware shops.

Shoreside showers, loos and deep sinks for laundry are provided in one of the harborside buildings beside the yacht club. The code for this facility is available from the Harbour Master or Deputy Harbour Master. There are also public cold showers and loos at the pier head.

Money

There are no ATMs but it is easy to withdraw cash on a card at the bank …for a 5% charge, or exchange $, Euros or Rand. Some places will take cards but again at 5%. Do not get left with St Helena £ as these are not legal tender anywhere else except Ascension and cannot be exchanged either. Generally, shopkeepers will try to give you the UK £ if you ask.

Water

Available free at the landing stage.

Diesel

A barge will come and fill your tanks or your cans for £1.08 a liter which is cheaper than at the garage for some reason. The office is in one of the stone buildings on the pier. Petrol from the garage.

Gas refills

Available at the garage and at Annie’s Shop, but you may have to wait as they only usually make the trip to the gas depot out in the hills once a week. Best to check with them on arrival which day they will be making a trip to the depot.

Wifi

Available at The Consulate Hotel and Anna’s Restaurant for about £3.80 a half hour.

Repairs

The local people are very helpful and it seems likely you would be able to find some expertise locally. The crane on the pier looks as if it could pick up most yachts with ease, but I have no idea if this could be an option in an emergency.

Laundry

Annie’s Laundry is at the top of Napoleon Street, last building on the left-hand side. Usually ready later the same day if taken in early; excellent job and not expensive. She will arrange to leave it at Anna’s restaurant down in the small park at the bottom of the main street if you ask, saves a walk.

Sights

The tourist office at the top of the Main Road can organize a hire car cheaply (£45 for 3 days for us). They also have details of guides if you want one. Some places such as Plantation House, the Governor’s residence, are only open 1 day per week. If visiting Longwood, Napoleon’s prison house and his tomb, you need to make prior arrangement. Three days is plenty to see the island, although there are good walks in the hills if you want to spend longer.

Contacts

The harbormaster and his deputy are very helpful and respond to emails on asst.harbourmaster1@hmrc.gov.sh

The Tourist Office can be contacted at enquiries@tourism.co.sh

Chris & Lorraine

SY Gryphon 2

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