Namibia

If one ever needs an electrician in Luderitz, Heinz Von Schweiness (I hope I spelt it right) fits the bill; tel 0811283024.

The location of the Walvis Bay Yacht club is not readily apparent. The anchorage area is just past the southern end of the commercial harbor. We anchored at 22 57.356 S 14 29.054 E. A bit further south one can see a small touristic center, restaurants, tourist agencies and the like and some docks; those are used by charter boats to on and offload tourists but can be used to tie one’s dinghy. We asked and got permission from the “Oceans” restaurant, took the boat to the northern one, and filled up our water tanks. Depth there was 2.7 meters, which according to my calculation would be 1.2 at low tide.

The WBYC is behind that complex. They have a dock that one can only reach with the dinghy; you can only fill up using jerry-cans.

St. Helena

The local diving club is run by Craig Yon, who is also the manager of the ferry service. We arranged to get fuel through him and it was brought to our boat using 200 liters containers and dispensed by a 12vdc electrical pump. The 1.2-pound price was slightly lower than that at the petrol station(?). Craig’s contact info: “Into the Blue” Dive St. Helena, email:craigiyon@helanta.sh  Tel. 0029023978/23459. He may also be helpful with engine repairs, by himself or by getting another mechanic.

Ascension Island

Regarding the floating pipe – is one enters from 7 55.28 s 14 25.66 w to the anchorage (7 55.2 s 14.24.7 w) one is well clear of the pipe that we saw (no tanker there at the time).

The “dinghy provided” is no longer there and it’s a tricky business tying to the pier when the swell is running. One needs a long line aft to the local mooring line, this should better be done with a sort of loop that will enable pulling the dinghy back after tying to the span, which is a sort of SS bannister.

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

It is expensive! 82$ U.S for each anchoring calendar day plus 20$ per person per day (first day free) for environment preservation tax. If you want to see the sights you want to rent a buggy (150 Reais) and must buy an entry pass for another 150 for each person.

ATMs in the airport and at the Santander bank near Vila Dos Remedios worked intermittently. Another option was changing money at the Atlantis dive club (2.1 R$ for the $ U.S compared to 2.34 bank rate). The local banks don’t change dollars.

Other services, especially restaurants, are very expensive too. The only cheap service is the bus, which goes between the port and the rest of the island at 4 reais a ride. Good WiFi internet at 15 reais for two hours available from a shop near the Flamboyant restaurant (bus driver will help you find it).

Water on the pier not potable; we found a place called “Agua Cacimba do Padre” which sold 20 liters bottles of purified water, delivered to the pier for 10 reais a bottle. To find it go up from the pier, cross the main road, leave a whitewashed wall to starboard and proceed to the right-hand side of the building opposite you.

The Rocas atoll, 85 miles west of Fernando De Noronha is a marine park and one is not allowed to anchor, fish or litter in any way.

Cheers!

Miki Barzam on “Two Ocean”