Country Check List

Prepared by Maryanne aboard Begonia

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For every country we are planning to visit, I go through the following list to help prepare myself for what to expect. It helps to research and be prepared well before departure, and especially while you have good internet access. There are a host of things that I identify, record, download and purchase before heading off for a new area.

• Check for any warning issued by your government that possibly advise AGAINST travelling to certain areas (or issues cautions or warnings) - you should at least be aware. Consider registering yourself with the local Embassy so they know you are 'in country' in the event of any emergency
• Boat insurance - Unless self-insured check/update your insurance to be sure you are covered for the area/time you plan to be cruising and any exclusions, etc. Also be sure your insurance covers you during the passage (often a minimum number of crew is required). Be sure to actually read your policy rules and exceptions (often there are extra rigging rules).
• Identify and make/acquire appropriate courtesy flag
• Formalities and legal stuff (for departure from current country and entry/exit into potential destinations)
  • Know the Official ports of entry/exit (don't arrive anywhere else first unless permitted)
  • Understand the General working days and non-working days (e.g. is Sunday 'closed' for clearing in or an charge extra?).
  • Official formalities/paperwork to pre-complete/submit (Noonsite, and official government websites are helpful here)
  • Entry/exit Rules, Biosecurity, expected fees (Noonsite, and official government websites)
  • Visa Requirements
  • Passport requirements (most expect at least 6 months remaining on your passport)
  • Duty free regulations (alcohol, mail packages, spares, etc)
  • Import regulations - what you are NOT allowed to bring in, what must you declare? Every country has different rules and you should know them before you head off (e.g. some prescription meds, guns, pepper spray, eggs, vegetables, honey, etc can all be confiscated or even get you fined if found aboard in some countries - espcially if not declared)
  • Special Pet rules, know what is permitted/required if you carry any pets aboard.
  • Undestand how long you can keep your boat in the country before you must officially import it (at which point large duties are likely to be involved).
• VHF - What Mode do I need to use for my VHF Radio (including handheld)? What channels/frequencies are in use? Note Canada, USA and 'International' standards use different frequencies and channel numbers
• Legalities within country
  • Driving regulations
    • What side do they drive?
    • Driving license requirements for rentals (do I need an international license, and if so, does it have a translation to the correct language?).
    • Bicycle rules - Do I need a helmet? Lights? Can I ride on the pavement/side-walks?
  • Dinghy usage requirements/restrictions. Many countries (and states) have rules about the size of the outboard, use of life-jackets, etc - know the rules, fines can be heavy. After a certain period you may no longer be considered a visitor, but a resident and rules can then change. Rules may also be different for just going back and forth between your boat and shore, or for using your dinghy to explore further afield.
  • Understand Pollution/Biosecurity regulations - expectations for dealing with trash/holding-tank etc.
  • Identify any areas where park fees are required (may be worth purchasing an annual pass in advance)
  • Understand fishing regulations (find maps/apps if useful)
  • Identify protected and military areas - where you may not anchor or even traverse.
  • Medical insurance requirements or paperwork needed for any reciprocal arrangements
  • Cruising permits and posiiton reporting requirements. In some countries you will be required to report all/major movement at fixed intervals or even present yourself to officialdom before departing every port for internal travels - know the rules.
• Weather / general at sea safety
  • Identify sources for weather VHF channels / Apps / Websites / SailDocs / etc - your cruising guides can help here
  • Tsunami risks and warnings e.g. http://ptwc.weather.gov/
  • Weather subscription services - research how best to get weather reports (and warnings) - Along side the local providers for each region, we also use FollowingSea.net (free) that allows you to subscribe to regular email weather reports, among a host of other great tools (especially good on a passage), Saildocs has similar options.
• Gather any Cruiser specific information and guides
  • Downloadable cruising guides / save/print Info (While you have internet be sure to dig deep into any external links you might need to also access and save).
    • Noonsite Info for country/area/ports
    • Cruising Wiki - http://www.cruiserswiki.org/
    • SSCA info for area / ports
    • RCC - https://rccpf.org.uk/Free-Downloads
    • Cornell: https://cornellsailing.com/voyage-preparation/cruising-guides-for-all-sailing-destinations/
    • Soggy Paws - http://www.svsoggypaws.com/files/
    • Hacking Family - http://hackingfamily.com/Cruise_Info/cruising_info.htm
    • https://www.zuluwaterways.com/map - I download the offline app and sync the data
    • https://www.venturefarther.com/
    • http://yachtvalhalla.net/navigation/terrystopics.htm
    • Blogs from other cruisers
    • https://sites.google.com/site/nauticalfree/ <- anything useful?
    • Others ??
  • Cruising apps/tourist apps for region(s) visiting
  • Traditional Cruising Guides
    • Research paper (book) cruising guides for area too - acquire as applicable
  • Are there cruising rallies for this area - research the itineraries/areas/dates (to either avoid, join or mimic as you prefer)
  • Identify/source the area tourist guidebooks (I like Lonely Planet, and if you buy direct you also get the digital version for free). Take a trip to your local library and scan through a bunch of different guides to see which you like best.
• Digital Charts/Maps/Data to download
  • Acquire and load chart chips for Chart Plotter.
  • OvitalMap/Google Earth/Satellite Images for ports, entrances, anchorages, reefs, etc (formatted for use in OpenCPN etc)
  • Download/refresh area maps for POCKET EARTH App (or your equivalent app)
  • Subscribe to and Download/refresh area charts for Navionics App (or your equivalent app)
  • Search specifically for uncharted reef information.. (Especially in areas rarely cruised, or of high volcanic activity)
  • Download/refresh any suitable language apps/dictionaries
• Navigation
  • Identify Know which IALA Buoyage System region that the country uses
  • Understand expected tidal ranges for areas of interest
  • Be sure you have suitable charts for the area (Paper and/or electronic downloaded with backups)
  • Source/download Sailing directions for area
  • Source/download Coast Pilots for area
  • Source/download List of Lights applicable for region - downloadable from the The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) see www.nga.mil (e.g. Publication 111 - covers most of pacific and Australian waters)
  • Source/download World Ports List
  • Identify Where to find Notice to Mariner info. etc.
  • Identify Where to find chart updates
• Understand where in the region you can find boat services and haul out options for your boat. Often these are very limited (or not available at all), and even more sparse for catamarans with their wider beam. In the event of an emergency you are going to want to know where to head for.
• Time zone(s) that the area/country uses (and any daylight saving rules)
  • Note it may be sensible to setup your phone to refuse calls or silence messages/notification during the hours you are normally asleep. As friends and family attempt to contact you from abroad, they won't necessarily have any idea that it is 3am where you are!
• Working weekdays and Public Holidays (both for celebrations and when services might be closed) - Country and region specific
• Local Language(s) - and any translation guides/dictionaries/apps that might be helpful - Apps like DuoLingo even check your pronunciation (if on-line)
  • Consider also Cruiser specific Translation Books - If you are not totally fluent and are travelling to countries that don't necessarily speak English widely, these boat repair and maintenance phrase books are so useful! They translates both ways, with pictures, all those strange bits you won't find in a standard dictionary (like engine parts, rigging parts, even medical emergencies, etc...), they even help with pronunciation so you don't need to know ANYTHING of the language. You can take them with you to the hardware store, chandlers, hospital, etc. - see Useful Book List
• Local Currency
  • Official currency and alternative accepted/preferred currencies
  • Exchange rate
  • ATM availability?
  • Are credit cards widely accepted or will I need cash?
  • Do I need to order cash in advance (before I depart)?
  • Notify banks/credit card companies?
• Identify/record International dialing code(s), e.g. UK = +44
• Identify/record Emergency phone number (e.g. UK: 999, USA 911, Australia 000, worldwide - 211?)
• Identify/record search and rescue contacts for country - program in phone, etc. https://sarcontacts.info/
• Identify/record any local cruiser contacts/resources for any clubs you are a member of (e.g. SSCA)
• Local Phone usage?
  • Cell phone coverage (phone, and data speeds) you can expect
  • Identify the various providers, plans and costs to determine what SIM you might want to purchase
  • Identify how to top up your plan - do you need to purchase tokens at a store (what stores?) is there an app? can it charge to your credit card directly?
  • Identify if it is possible (or worth it) to keeping your existing SIM active on roaming in the countries you plan to visit (normally it is way too expensive).
  • Research best SIM card / system to use (if possible get two different ones, divided among crew, for max coverage)
  • Phone APN stuff (may be required to setup connection to local data usage) - http://wiki.apnchanger.org/. I haven't needed this information in years, but when I purchase a SIM in a new location, I get the store clerk to insert it and setup the phone for data use before I leave.
• Expected temperatures and rainfall for areas/time traveling
• If very far North or South - be aware of any Aurora opportunities? - For forecasts see Aurora Forecast
• Likelihood of various deadly, venomous, poisonous or otherwise annoying things to avoid/protect against (from sandflies to jelly fish)
• Refilling options - how easy to find, what adaptors (or extra capacity) might we need.
  • Potable water availability (be prepared if you need to treat/filter water)
  • Propane
  • Diesel
  • Gasoline (if needed for your outboard/generator/etc)
  • CO2/sodastream
  • etc.
• Tourist Guides
  • Wiki Voyage entries
  • Research tourist information and apps for area
  • Guidebooks to purchase/source? - I like Lonely Planet, and if you buy direct you also get the digital version for free. Take a trip to your local library and scan through a bunch of different guides to see which you like best.
• Gifts for the locals (or for trading/bartering) - T-shirs, fishing equipment, pens, make-up, etc...
• Citizen Science Opportunities? (for passage and/or in areas intended to cruise).
• Local Biology (apps? Pre-download info, pre-purchase books?)
  • Birds of the area (see Birds.Com)
  • Fish of the area
  • Marine Mammals of the area
  • Plants of the area
  • If you plan to visit any national parks, these often have their own apps with useful maps and wildlife info.
• General Interest
  • Identify and source any Novels / Books / Movies for general history and insight for area of travel
  • Identify the local news sources (TV, Newspapers) and where possible download the app for that source so I can keep informed
• Before leaving any country
  • Cancel any subscriptions, phone plans, etc that you no longer wish to keep active. I keep a list of such things as I go, so it is easier to recall by the end.
  • Inspect and Review spares aboard - be sure we have sufficient for our planned maintenance and replacement needs (and know when we can next source) - from zincs to filters, flares, etc.. all boat systems. Purchase as necessary.
  • Triple check expiry dates for any critical stuff (passports, visas, bank and credit cards, insurance, radio licenses, EPIRB registration, flares, etc and have a plan regarding how to renew these on your travels as necessary)
  • Any key dates for your boat insurance requirements? - are you expected to provide rigging inspection (sometimes every year) or boat survey (sometimes every 4 or 5 years? depending on age of boat and policy details) during this period? How will you achieve that?
  • Triple check expiry dates and supplies for any medications (general, prescription or emergency) and have a plan regarding how to renew/replace them as necessary.
  • As for any passage, create and share your FLOAT PLAN, have a system to report your location/progress and changes of plan, etc.
  • Understand what supplies/equipment you have aboard (produce, alcohol, guns, etc) that are NOT PERMITTED on your arrival in your next country - make a plan to use-up, sell, or give away such items.
  • Switch to doing any government required tax returns online and/or consider how you will manage such obligations while cruising.

See all our tip lists | Read our Blog | Where are we now?