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Namibia: Sailing the Skeleton Coast

Namibia is a country on the south-west coast of Africa. It is one of the driest and most sparsely populated countries on earth. Its NW coast is known as the “Skeleton Coast”, for good reason, but it is very scenic and there are many sheltered bays to anchor in provided you keep a watchful eye on the weather. OSASA director John Franklin provided this useful report for anyone considering heading that way.

Published 1 year ago

Source:  OSASA

Covid regulations still stand in Namibia

Currently all borders are open, on the prerequisite that you:

  • Present a COVID PCR test result not older than 72 hours (3 days) from date of test of each crew member of the vessel.

Failing this, you will be tested at your own cost and will be quarantined at your own cost on your vessel until everybody tests negative. If anybody is testing positive, the entire crew will be quarantined at own cost until everyone tests negative. This is in accordance with the Government and Ministry of Health regulations.

Namibia’s Skeleton Coast

West Coast of Namibia

The Northern west coast of Namibia is known as the Skeleton Coast. The coast between Lüderitz in the South and Walvis Bay is scenic and many travellers by boat sometimes drop anchor in sheltered bays like Hottentots Bay and also Spencer Bay [see this yacht’s photo story for pictures]. However, this is an exposed lee shore and one must take into consideration weather and ocean conditions and in rough weather rather stay in deeper waters.

The whole west coast of Namibia from the Orange River up to the Kunene is designated as a  National Park and falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and some areas where mining licences have been allocated by the Ministry of Mines and Energy. Official permission is required to enter these parks and landing from seaward is strictly prohibited, other than in an emergency.  All the Islands on the Namibian coast are declared sanctuaries and the same restrictions apply.

For further information see the website of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.

Port of Luderitz – Check-in/check-out procedures

Contact Port Control on arrival. It is recommended to call Port Control on VHF Channel 16 when passing Diaz Point. They normally will call out the relevant authorities depending on where they allocate berthing space/moorings or anchorage in co-ordination with the vessel skipper.

The anchorage at Luderitz, Namibia.

Port Control:

Port Health:

  • Operating hours:  Monday to Friday – 0800 to 1630.

Call out and standby is:

If the staff driver is not available after hours taxi fee will be applicable.

Immigration:

  • Operating hours:  Monday to Friday – 0800 to 1700.

Call out after hours.

  • Operating hours office number – +264-63-203440,
  • Standby contact Mr Kandume  – +264(0)811278409.

There is also a call-out fee of N$90.00 per person.

Customs:

Operating hours: Monday to Friday – 0800 to 1700.

Call out after hours:

  • Operating hours office number – +264-63-202259,
  • Standby contact Mrs Natasha Coetzee at +264(0) 814079474

Call out fee currently N$ 100.00 per hour (Nambian Dollar one to one with SA Rand.

Facilities

Berthing/mooring/anchoring

Depending on whether or not the diamond vessels are in port, there are two or three private heavy moorings available which can be allocated via Port Control and a person by the name of Andy.

Additional new moorings are expected to be available during 2023 from Lüderitz Yacht Club. An anchorage area is available, but some distance from the yacht club. Using the Waterfront jetty costs N$50/day. Alternatively, use the Yacht Club slipway or beach for dinghy landing.

Fuel and fresh water

No alongside facilities. General fuel service station for diesel, petrol and oils within walking distance of the yacht club. Fresh water is available at the yacht club, but you must provide your own cans.

Repairs

Namport operates a large container crane that is available for emergency lifts, advised by Port Control, Port Captain as well the Port Manager.

For electrical and general repairs I suggest to contact Hydrolec as first point of contact: Hydrolec@heinzvs@iway.na or +624(0)811283024

Hardware shops as well as LPG refilling available.

Grocers and Spar with bakeries and butchery available. Gumat Trading Namibia can also supply provisions in bulk, but only on pre-order.

General information and assistance

Gumat Trading Namibia

Cell phone and data cards

  • Telecom Namibia, Teleshop
  • Ph:  +264-63-207503 (Ask for Johan) or alternatively at the MTC shop.

Lüderitz Yacht Club

Facilities available to visitors including showers, restaurant, take-aways, bar.  Showers available outside hours by arrangement.

  • Open 1600 to 2200 weekdays, 1200 to 2200 weekends.
  • Yacht club Commodore—Mr Norbet Klosta mobile + 264-(0) 811283667
  • Yacht club Manager – Mr Hannes Theron –  +264-(0) 814498123.
  • Yacht club Bar and food services –Paul – +264-(0)817594645

Currency

The Namibian Dollar is at parity with the South African Rand and Rand notes are normally acceptable.

Medical facilities

State hospital with X-ray services, supported by state doctors and dentist as well as private doctors (in case of emergency, call Port control either via radio or landline for advice).

Car rentals

B&B Car Hire – Lüderitz – Namibia

Avis Luderitz(LUD)

  • Bismarck, Street 25, Luderitzbucht, Namibia
  • Tel: +264 63 203968
  • Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 0900 – 1600

Air Freight

DHL Namibia—Express air and sea freight services (Novamarine Lüderitz).

Sight-seeing and tourism

In Town and immediate surroundings.

  1. Famous Felsenkirche (lead glass windows) – walking distance
  2. Goerke House – walking distance
  3. Local Musuem – walking distance
  4. Kolmanskuppe Ghost town – 10 km outside town and local taxi
  5. Old whaling station – On Peninsula and by local tour/car rental
  6. Dias Point (Diaz cross) – On Peninsula and by local tour/car rental
  7. Typical traditional German Architecture and a nice leisure walk in Town while hopping from one coffee shop/Restaurant to the next. Do not forget that Lüderitz is famous for high quality fresh oysters due to the local aquamarine industry.

Within a radius of 450 KM.

  1. Famous Wild horses of the Namib Desert – 90 km outside town.
  2. Fish River Canyon (Second largest canyon in the World) – about 380 km outside town.
  3. Quiver tree forest and giants playground (Quiver trees and large stacked dolomite boulders) – 450 km outside town.
  4. Mesosaurus Fossil Site and Quiver Tree Dolerite Park – 400 km outside town.
  5. Various other unique lodges in Southern Namibia. Canyon Lodge, Hobas, Farm Namtib, KleinAus- Vista, Seeheim lodge to name a few.
  6. Ranch Koimasis — This is a jewel. If one wants to get away from all, included the rat race of social media, then this is a must, also for an amazing desert on horseback experience.

Seven Seas Lüderitz Project.

1. Vision and mission of The Seven Seas Lüderitz Project.

  • A. Promote Namibia and more specifically Lüderitz as a possible stop-over en-route to the Caribbean via St Helena.
  • B. Bring alternative energy options to remote communities on Islands via sail yacht.
  • C. Research in sustainable development for remote islands.
  • D. Add value to the food chain by introducing knowledge/training on fermentation of green produce to last longer while at sea.
  • E. Alternative approaches to tools used on yachts like using air tools powered by a diving cylinder in emergency.
  • F. Research centre with fully operational test biogas centre is based in Lüderitz and open to visitors from yachts.

This document was compiled by the custodian of the Seven Seas Lüderitz Project which is also based in Lüderitz, and edited by OSASA.

Contact details – Mr G.M. Du Toit (Giel)

Port of Walvis Bay

All boats will be at anchor. There is very limited mooring space (swing moorings) and available moorings will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

The Walvis Bay Yacht Club offers temporary membership to visiting yachts, which allows you access to the club facilities while visiting. This will be a blanket cost for the boat, on a scale worked out according to the length of stay and number of crew.

Please contact Antoinette (secretary) beforehand, so she can do the admin and prepare membership cards.

PLEASE NOTE: Any information not provided in official format from Antoinette, the commodore, Theo Schoeman, the Namibian government or port captain, should be regarded as false.

Contact – Antoinette Lambert – Walvis Bay Yacht Club

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club

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