Bermuda Pilot Notes
Public Holidays 410, 603, 817, 1220, and 1618 but a listening watch
New Year’s Day, January 1 is not maintained on these channels.
Bermuda Day, May 24 In addition, they issue navigation warnings, broadcast
Queen’s Official Birthday, 3rd Monday in June weather forecasts and can provide assistance on most
Cup Match Day, Thursday before the first Monday in navigation and boating related issues.
August Telephone, 441-297-1010; fax, 441-297-1530; E-mail:
Somers Day, day after Cup Match Day operations@ rccbermuda.bm.
Labour Day, 1st Monday in September
Remembrance Day, November 11 Weather Reports
Christmas Day, December 25 Available from the Bermuda Yacht Reporting Service on
Boxing Day, December 26. Ordnance Island in St. George’s. Services include: display
of the latest weather and wind forecast charts, marine
Bermuda Harbour Radio advisories, Gulf Stream temperature analysis, and weather
Bermuda Harbour Radio/Rescue Co-ordination Centre (call satellite photos. Recorded reports are available from the
sign ZBM) is the only radio communications facility on the Bermuda Weather Service via dedicated phone lines: from
island and offers a wealth of information and services. overseas, dial 441-297-7977; from within Bermuda, for
Watchstanders monitor distress frequencies 2182 kHz, public forecast, dial 9770; for current weather, 9771; for
4125 kHz, VHF 16, and respond to Digital Selective Calling the marine forecast, 9772; and for weather warnings,
on 2187.5 kHz and VHF 70 (MMSI: 003100001). 9773 or go to www.weather.bm.
The station’s working frequencies are ITU HF channels
Customs Clearance Visitors must present passports and these
All visiting pleasure craft must contact will be required upon return to U.S. waters.
Bermuda Harbour Radio (BHR), call sign Visas are not required of most nationals to
ZBM, on VHF channel 16 prior to arrival. enter Bermuda. The vessel’s master should
Bermuda Harbour Radio is operated by the have two copies of the crew list and stores
Bermuda government and is the rescue coor- list. All firearms must be declared and will
dination center for the Bermuda area and is be held or sealed by officials until the vessel
in constant contact with U.S. and Caribbean leaves Bermuda. This regulation includes
rescue centers. You should attempt to contact flare guns. A fee of $15 is levied for each per-
BHR 30nm from the island. son aboard (the fee is waived for sail-training
BHR will help you obtain customs, im- vessels and yachts entered in official races).
migration, and health clearance forms when Customs may issue permits for foreign
you clear in at St. George’s Harbour. All visit- yachts to stay in Bermudan waters for ex-
ing yachts are required to obtain these forms tended stays. During the hurricane season,
in St. George before proceeding elsewhere in from June 1 to November 30, you may receive
Bermuda. The clearance facility is located at permission to stay up to 5 months for safety.
the eastern end of Ordnance Island. Yachts This is a separate permit from the immigra-
entering the harbor between midnight and tion permits required of all individuals stay-
0800 Atlantic Standard Time must anchor in ing more than 21 days. To apply for a permit
Powder Hole, a quarantine anchorage in the you must submit to the Department of Im-
SE area of St. George’s Harbour. If you an- migration proof of citizenship; proof that you
chor overnight at Powder Hole, you may not can afford to fly home should the need arise;
come ashore or make physical contact with proof of health insurance and a commitment
other vessels until clearing in. You must go in writing that you won’t try to get work on
to the Yacht Reporting Centre at Ordnance the island. Note: Bermuda work visas are
Island at 0800 to clear in. All vessels should vigorously enforced. Even cruisers accepting
enter St. George’s Harbour flying code flag cash for performing odd jobs and services
Q. Bermuda Harbor Radio. Website: www. amongst each other have been known to raise
rccbermuda.bm the ire of the Immigration Department.
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