PUERTO PLATA.- “The Dominican Republic has a bad reputation as maritime destination due to the inconvenience of its ports, the problematic entry procedures and the regulations for tourist boats,” the vice-president of the company Ocean World Marina & Casino Stefan Meister, affirmed Wednesday.
He said more than eight agencies or authorities receive a boat when it arrives in the country, Customs, Immigration, Animal Health, the Navy, and Drugs Control (DNCD) among others.
The hotelier said those boats must again obtain special permits from the authorities so can it can leave Dominican territory.
The Ocean World executive speaking in Cofresí, to participants of Puerto Plata’s 1st Journalistic Summit of media directors, journalists specialized in tourism, private sector representatives and Tourism Ministry officials, said the media must support the region and the tourism sector to identify and solve its main problems.
Meister noted that in most countries once a boat enters a port, an arrival permit is issued, with which it can use all other ports, and regrets that the Dominican authorities don’t provide that facility.
He added that Ocean World’s marina has been empty because foreign boats which arrive to dock must pay a US$50.00 per week tax.
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
For years the DR was famous for bad services corrupt officials and armed boardings ....the leisure yachting class does not like that it will take a few years to get a good reputation but it will be worth it ....these guys leave a lot of money behind ......The DR is not the Somalia of the Caribbean
From: United States
As a boater in the DR you have to understand that the Dominican Navy is full of pigs that want propina to enter, leave and enjoy dominican waters. You will be harrassed to no end.
It is highly recommended by all boaters in the international community to stay clear of Dominican waters unless they want their vacation destroyed by corrupt navy officals.
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
having lived in the past around the yachting community in the lesser Antilles the word down island is .........The Dom Rep ??? .........Get in and get out if you have to ....but only if you have to
Written by: anthonyC, 3 Dec 2009 9:08 AM
From: United States
It has been like that for decades and only now people are noticing?
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
They are realizing they can make more money by cultivating this business and by reigning in the corrupt officials .....the aviation program to welcome commuters and dispense with parking and landing is working .........now they have to encourage the Yachting community
Written by: Juango, 3 Dec 2009 9:32 AM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
The DR is "Not Boater Friendly" and never has been (visiting vessels). It boils down to the lowest common denominator, lack of education of the authorities, combined with greed. Samana is the worst port, from dock boys to the resident pot-bellied Comandante of MG all wanting a few dollars/euros/pesos. Add to that the mysterious dissapearance of deck shoes, dive gear, towels, lines, small outboards, ect. left out. If Ocean World, Cap Cana, & Casa de Campo Marinas cannot influence the necessary change required, no one can. The nitwits in-charge are useless...Sad indeed..
From: United States
The DR is such a ripoff to the boating community that it is not worth the agrivation of even trying to go there.
The ports are filthy with sewage and corrupt officials trying to get the last cent they can squeeze out of you.
The new marinas may be a bit better but no way will they ever be able to compete with the Bahamas with its pristine waters and friendly countrymen.
Punta Cana for example as a private marina is clean however it is an unfavorable marina due to its high cross currents that make a stay rocky.
Written by: juanb, 3 Dec 2009 9:38 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Who knows how to kill the golden goose better than we do?
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
there are many private marinas coming on line they will have to establish themselves for service and activities to the transiting yachting community on their way down island or returning to the US
From: United States
As yes yachting to the Isle of Monos.......nope NUNCA.......
Until the chimps realize that 20 peso propina is not the way out of poverty, until the chimps get a handle on how to treat people with respect instead of how to steal, until the chimps find some talent (as mechanics), until the chimps learn to SWIM.....until the chimps quit watching MTV and acting like wanna-be gangstas
...the DR will be bypassed for place like CUBA and other boater friendly islands......
From: United States
Ouch.
I think the only thing you left out was their mindlessness for littering.
If a garbage can was next to them they will still throw a paper food wrapper on the ground.
Written by: Juango, 3 Dec 2009 10:38 AM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
Dogg, you mean Chumps, not Chimps...don't you? Don't insult the chimpanzee ...
Written by: rsosua, 3 Dec 2009 11:02 AM
From: Canada
so a reach person who sails from miami to enjoy our beaches/women/food/alcohol ects
don;t want to come to our island because they don;t want to pay $50.00us per week?????
so how much they have to pay in Miami/st-tomas/greece/france ects and the protistutes are more expense too lol, who is the fool who wrote or said that or this is a joke or something.
thanks
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
the charter boat industry in the Virgin Islands is equal to 10.000 extra hotel rooms and they spend a lot of money .............For many reasons that will never happen here .....this is a transit area not a sailing area
Written by: xwill7, 3 Dec 2009 11:19 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
juango,
but DR is illegals friendly
Written by: CaptRob, 3 Dec 2009 11:28 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
Well I just renewed my Matricula last year it was 900 pesos. This year 1,200 no problem every thing goes up. this is always done with a certified check issued by Banco Resevras. This year I had to pay an EXTRA 1,200 pesos in CASH. When I asked for a receipt I was looked at like I was CRAZY. I have had my boat here for over 10 years. Have never giving any one CASH. I know if I say something they will take my boat. Guess the General needs a new Jeep or his girlfriend just gave birth.
From: Dominican Republic
When our company decided to bring our ship here to work we had many private people and churches in the states donate 12,000 lbs of relief supplies for hurricane victims. Food ,Shoes, building materials, Clothes you name it we had it all for donations to the needy. The port Authorities in Puerto Plata charge our company SIX THOUSAND US DOLLARS to offload these supplies. And as the Captain and first time user of the port i asked to stay the night to better navigate in the daylight hours i was told no you need to leave now. So i left that night but never will i ever return to that Port.
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
those are the stinking little thief bureaucrats that go into politics after they have sucked all the life out of something.....they are dirty filthy swine and ruin the country
Written by: abc200, 3 Dec 2009 2:36 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
Floating gin palace people can well afford to pay - beautiful arinas in DR.
Beautiful sailing too well away from the flotilla merchants and crowded seas.....
S.
Written by: anthonyC, 3 Dec 2009 3:12 PM
From: United States
The only sailing ABC know about is what he saw on a Popeye Cartoon.
Written by: danny00, 3 Dec 2009 6:35 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
The DR is not the Somalia of the Caribbean , no but not far from it......
the least thing that will happen to you is they will steal your gas from your boat when your not on it..
AND THATS THE LEAST OF ALL EVILS THAT WILL HAPPEN AT ANY PORT IN THE DR.
CAPT DANNY
KEY WEST FLORIDA.
HAVE A NICE DAY ON THE OCEAN.....
Written by: danny00, 3 Dec 2009 6:36 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
like the popeye cartoon, u must be talking about the dominican navy i guess.
capt danny
key west florida.
Written by: danny00, 3 Dec 2009 6:40 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
did u ever see any navy ships trying to dock thier vessel?
really it like watching one cartoon on tv. really it is...., one day in pop at the port saw one dr navy vessel trying to dock for about 3 hours. well long story made short they took half of the dock down when they smashed into it.... really one joke it was to see this, good thing the port is fallinf apart in pop anyway.... so big loss.
Written by: danny00, 3 Dec 2009 6:44 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
dont have time to tell u about one general in the dr. navy that took a new vessel over to sousa for him and his family to swim problem was no one on board {all dr navy personal} knew how to set the anchor, so they thought they where at anchor but the boat washed up on the rocks, and this was the end to one very expensive boat the navy bought for this "general" happen about 5 years ago in the sousa area..... as i said one cartoon., all live the dr navy........
Written by: danny00, 3 Dec 2009 6:48 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
hey! you where luck yto get away with the six thousand dollars....., be happy they did not take your shoes and underwear......
u know they will steal or take what ever is worth any thing dont u?
Written by: danny00, 3 Dec 2009 6:50 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
hurricane victims what a joke they dont get any thing...... the police and army guys sell it to them if anything......
stop giving anything to the bullsh-t government in the land made of "smoke and mirrors"
Written by: abc200, 3 Dec 2009 7:25 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
You don't get an invitation to the launch of my new boat......
Yes, I'm sure the people here do not want their waters invaded by rogues and bandits from Miami.
S.
Written by: Botemon, 3 Dec 2009 10:37 PM
From: Dominican Republic, La Isabella
There are plenty of horror stories from the cruising community while in the DR. For the most part, the DR is not a permanent destination for cruisers as Blutarsky expressed. Just an important transit area to continue down island and beyond. I for one cruised into Luperon (see picture above) for a hurricane season a couple years ago and have been here ever since. (We love it here and now call it our home). The problems are with the lack of uniformity between ports and anchorages with respect to local fees, customs, tourism, and other local “so-called regulations”.
A while back written in the DT, an article dedicated to the “private and tourist aviation community”, indicated that the DR government had “opened the doors” and made things easy and “fee free” for folks to come here and travel around easily. Fantastico! It would be nice to have a similar arrangement for the cruising community!
The cruising folks have been around the DR for a very long time and the stati
Written by: Botemon, 3 Dec 2009 10:38 PM
From: Dominican Republic, La Isabella
The cruising folks have been around the DR for a very long time and the statistics show we do contribute to the local economy(s), not to mention the non-monetary personal contributions to the local community(s) from those of us who hang around and / or “move on”. Come to Luperon and ask the local folks for yourself.
Most of us cruisers are not rich. We worked hard for what we have, have a dream, and are trying to live that dream. Yup, there are some that come through that have mucho money, and they move on for the most part (with nose in air), cause the DR is not “the place” for them. Glad to see um go! But most of us are good folks and genuinely love this country.
We want standard uniformity of fees and procedures between ALL ports throughout the country, no shakedowns, and a little security and politeness in exchange for our harbor fees. Not all these local bureaucracies stumbling all over themselves arguing amongst each other for power position and…...a few pesos.
Written by: anthonyC, 3 Dec 2009 11:48 PM
From: United States
"Written by: abc200, 3 Dec 2009 7:25 PM
From: United Kingdom
You don't get an invitation to the launch of my new boat...... "
Boat?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Written by: manolin, 4 Dec 2009 1:35 AM
From: Dominican Republic
sorry but all that is true, i am dominican, but the chimps here do all that for worse tourism, they makes wonderfull brochures for intl promotion, but when you come is a lot of shit, is a lot of steal, extortion, bad installations, no clear rules, each port command do they want, like or need instead you are in rule they bother you for further ask for money to solve the problem they invented.
Written by: pelaut, 4 Dec 2009 9:07 AM
From: United States
".....this is a transit area not a sailing area" TRUE, but because of the lousy sea conditions, not just the lousy officials.
"DR is not Somalia" FALSE, it sure IS Somalia for everything but the nature and the women.
Tourists in AI Hotels leave 3% of spending in country, the rest in their home countries.
Tourists in boats leave 100% of spending in local communities (avg. $800-1200 per month).
Final fact: Nautical tourism here will get killed 100% by Cuba shortly, so fuhgeddaboudit.
Written by: abc200, 4 Dec 2009 7:15 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
aC you have really blown your chances now -
Sail your ship across the water,
Spread your wings across the sky,
you will drift alone....
S.
apologies WS
S.
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
you should apologize you loser from Leeds or wherever in the UK you are from ........you were the original fairy across the Mersey .....{not that there is anything wrong with that}
Written by: abc200, 4 Dec 2009 8:49 PM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
Apologies what are they - you should bow towards me the guru of all gurus!
when you are suitably supplanted I will honor you with details of the exact form this bow should take.
S.
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
Written by: abc200, 5 Dec 2009 8:51 AM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
Being a film extra is exciting - but never had the particular urge .... stage I found better as there your can speak lines.... Now doubt you will be getting ready for Dracula's ball so some film director can discover you and you can start your celluloid career as an extra.
http://www.draculasball.com/gallery.htmS.
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
the stage you say ........there is one leaving in 15 minutes be under it......it is going to parts unknown
Written by: abc200, 5 Dec 2009 11:06 AM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
Poor old Blut - he was just getting his artificial fangs ready - but there's no maiden to be found so he's taking it out on me!
The frustration of the man - pop another Valium.....
the frustration of not being another Peter Cushing.
S.
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
he was the best and that series was the best .......now who played the Count ?
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
Written by: josean, 7 Dec 2009 8:23 AM
From: United States, Dedicating 4 more years to fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia
I guess after Cristobal Colon we kind of developed a phobia about boaters!
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
no it was the pinkos on the shore with the pitchforks and the sound of their whining and complaining
Written by: josean, 7 Dec 2009 8:57 AM
From: United States, Dedicating 4 more years to fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia
"the pinkos"
Your so 1950s! The “pinkos” are the ones stocking your Wal-Mart and financing your purchases, so you can the sell the junk you bought at the garage sale in the house who's mortgage they financed for you!
Written by: abc200, 7 Dec 2009 11:00 AM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
always knew that Bluts ambition has all along been to be a capitalist bloodsucker. Now looking for his next meal.
S.
From: Dominican Republic
I have anchored in the bay of Manzanillo, for as long as a year, there was no monthly charge, when I arrived the Commandante he ask for $10us, and gave me a paper stating that I did not have to pay any more to any other port for the temp importation of boat that was good for yrs.
This is a great anchorage to weather any storm and there is no huricanes here. There are few aminities here, but then I never use a marina, just because i have a boat does not mean I am rich.
I always thought that sailing guides were written for couples and pointed out were the nice waterfalls and other stuff was, but not were to get cold beer or the 3 esentials, stewed,screwed, and tatooed.
The anchorage is now under the juristiction of the imegration, and he (yeah there is only one) wants to promote the port as friendly to floating trailer trash (live aboards).
Stop by, check it out.
Written by: abc200, 17 Dec 2009 9:01 AM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
Yes, and Dominican rum for the daily rum ration is not so bad either.
A story involving naval rum is that following his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, Horatio Nelson's body was preserved in a cask of rum to allow transport back to England. Upon arrival, however, the cask was opened and found to be empty of rum. The pickled body was removed and, upon inspection, it was discovered that the sailors had drilled a hole in the bottom of the cask and drunk all the rum, in the process drinking Nelson's blood. Thus, this tale serves as a basis for the term Nelson's Blood being used to describe rum. It also serves as the basis for the term "Tapping the Admiral" being used to describe drinking the daily rum ration.
Sadly the New Zealand Navy is the navly left that has a rum ration........ However lone sailors are known to celebrate the days endevours....
S.
Written by: abc200, 17 Dec 2009 9:22 AM
From: United Kingdom, Dominican Republic
report you .......
S.
From: Dominican Republic, No Spin Zone
you have had enough rum abc control youself
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It is highly recommended by all boaters in the international community to stay clear of Dominican waters unless they want their vacation destroyed by corrupt navy officals.
The ports are filthy with sewage and corrupt officials trying to get the last cent they can squeeze out of you.
The new marinas may be a bit better but no way will they ever be able to compete with the Bahamas with its pristine waters and friendly countrymen.
Punta Cana for example as a private marina is clean however it is an unfavorable marina due to its high cross currents that make a stay rocky.
Until the chimps realize that 20 peso propina is not the way out of poverty, until the chimps get a handle on how to treat people with respect instead of how to steal, until the chimps find some talent (as mechanics), until the chimps learn to SWIM.....until the chimps quit watching MTV and acting like wanna-be gangstas
...the DR will be bypassed for place like CUBA and other boater friendly islands......
Ouch.
I think the only thing you left out was their mindlessness for littering.
If a garbage can was next to them they will still throw a paper food wrapper on the ground.
don;t want to come to our island because they don;t want to pay $50.00us per week?????
so how much they have to pay in Miami/st-tomas/greece/france ects and the protistutes are more expense too lol, who is the fool who wrote or said that or this is a joke or something.
thanks
but DR is illegals friendly
Beautiful sailing too well away from the flotilla merchants and crowded seas.....
S.
the least thing that will happen to you is they will steal your gas from your boat when your not on it..
AND THATS THE LEAST OF ALL EVILS THAT WILL HAPPEN AT ANY PORT IN THE DR.
CAPT DANNY
KEY WEST FLORIDA.
HAVE A NICE DAY ON THE OCEAN.....
capt danny
key west florida.
really it like watching one cartoon on tv. really it is...., one day in pop at the port saw one dr navy vessel trying to dock for about 3 hours. well long story made short they took half of the dock down when they smashed into it.... really one joke it was to see this, good thing the port is fallinf apart in pop anyway.... so big loss.
u know they will steal or take what ever is worth any thing dont u?
stop giving anything to the bullsh-t government in the land made of "smoke and mirrors"
Yes, I'm sure the people here do not want their waters invaded by rogues and bandits from Miami.
S.
A while back written in the DT, an article dedicated to the “private and tourist aviation community”, indicated that the DR government had “opened the doors” and made things easy and “fee free” for folks to come here and travel around easily. Fantastico! It would be nice to have a similar arrangement for the cruising community!
The cruising folks have been around the DR for a very long time and the stati
Most of us cruisers are not rich. We worked hard for what we have, have a dream, and are trying to live that dream. Yup, there are some that come through that have mucho money, and they move on for the most part (with nose in air), cause the DR is not “the place” for them. Glad to see um go! But most of us are good folks and genuinely love this country.
We want standard uniformity of fees and procedures between ALL ports throughout the country, no shakedowns, and a little security and politeness in exchange for our harbor fees. Not all these local bureaucracies stumbling all over themselves arguing amongst each other for power position and…...a few pesos.
From: United Kingdom
You don't get an invitation to the launch of my new boat...... "
Boat?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
"DR is not Somalia" FALSE, it sure IS Somalia for everything but the nature and the women.
Tourists in AI Hotels leave 3% of spending in country, the rest in their home countries.
Tourists in boats leave 100% of spending in local communities (avg. $800-1200 per month).
Final fact: Nautical tourism here will get killed 100% by Cuba shortly, so fuhgeddaboudit.
Sail your ship across the water,
Spread your wings across the sky,
you will drift alone....
S.
apologies WS
S.
when you are suitably supplanted I will honor you with details of the exact form this bow should take.
S.
http://www.draculasball.com/gallery.htm
S.
The frustration of the man - pop another Valium.....
the frustration of not being another Peter Cushing.
S.
Your so 1950s! The “pinkos” are the ones stocking your Wal-Mart and financing your purchases, so you can the sell the junk you bought at the garage sale in the house who's mortgage they financed for you!
S.
This is a great anchorage to weather any storm and there is no huricanes here. There are few aminities here, but then I never use a marina, just because i have a boat does not mean I am rich.
I always thought that sailing guides were written for couples and pointed out were the nice waterfalls and other stuff was, but not were to get cold beer or the 3 esentials, stewed,screwed, and tatooed.
The anchorage is now under the juristiction of the imegration, and he (yeah there is only one) wants to promote the port as friendly to floating trailer trash (live aboards).
Stop by, check it out.
A story involving naval rum is that following his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, Horatio Nelson's body was preserved in a cask of rum to allow transport back to England. Upon arrival, however, the cask was opened and found to be empty of rum. The pickled body was removed and, upon inspection, it was discovered that the sailors had drilled a hole in the bottom of the cask and drunk all the rum, in the process drinking Nelson's blood. Thus, this tale serves as a basis for the term Nelson's Blood being used to describe rum. It also serves as the basis for the term "Tapping the Admiral" being used to describe drinking the daily rum ration.
Sadly the New Zealand Navy is the navly left that has a rum ration........ However lone sailors are known to celebrate the days endevours....
S.
S.