This is great news. via a Public Decree, the DR will pass legislation that will regulate marinas and authorities that control port of entry fees and procedures. Due to the high amount of corruption and unbelievable beauracracy previously experienced in this sector of the economy, it is great progress. Here are the main points:
Effective May 15th:
No more authorities board any boats during port of entry, unless there is suspicion of some kind that requires boarding. Captain will take boat documents and passports to officials land side.
There will be a fee of 5% charged on all dockage fees to all marinas, which will cover all fees for authorities like Marina de Guerra, Immigration, Immigration Tourism, Drug Control, Min. of Agriculture (animals), Ministry of Agriculture (Plants), Drug Control. (Previously, these authorities, or a combination of them, used to board boats and ask for various fees that they made up on the spot).
These authorities will no longer be allowed to collect any fees from boaters.
Port Authority will collect these fees from the marinas and distribute them to the relevant agencies.
Boaters clearing at their port of entry in the DR will receive a 'cruising permit' which will allow free entry and departure from all dominican ports.
Theoretically, if this works, it would be a huge improvement over the current situation which causes many boaters to skip the DR as a 'recreational' destination.
Practically, I don't see how the different authorities will be able to split up the money without fighting, but this will be their problem.
Its possible that some authorities will not respect the Port Authority's authority here, and try to collect fees anyhow. Also, I am sure they will find other ways to 'fleece' the boaters but it will be much harder now, especially since they plan to publish the new regulations on the internet and on signs in all marinas.
overall, great news for the boating industry in the DR!
Like anything else in this country, I will believe it when I see it, but we (Ocean World Marina) had a meeting with the Port Authority this morning, along with other marinas, where this was confirmed.
Previous versions of this legislation (quite scary ones actually, that would have killed all marinas in the country) had been floating around for the last few months.
Effective May 15th:
No more authorities board any boats during port of entry, unless there is suspicion of some kind that requires boarding. Captain will take boat documents and passports to officials land side.
There will be a fee of 5% charged on all dockage fees to all marinas, which will cover all fees for authorities like Marina de Guerra, Immigration, Immigration Tourism, Drug Control, Min. of Agriculture (animals), Ministry of Agriculture (Plants), Drug Control. (Previously, these authorities, or a combination of them, used to board boats and ask for various fees that they made up on the spot).
These authorities will no longer be allowed to collect any fees from boaters.
Port Authority will collect these fees from the marinas and distribute them to the relevant agencies.
Boaters clearing at their port of entry in the DR will receive a 'cruising permit' which will allow free entry and departure from all dominican ports.
Theoretically, if this works, it would be a huge improvement over the current situation which causes many boaters to skip the DR as a 'recreational' destination.
Practically, I don't see how the different authorities will be able to split up the money without fighting, but this will be their problem.
Its possible that some authorities will not respect the Port Authority's authority here, and try to collect fees anyhow. Also, I am sure they will find other ways to 'fleece' the boaters but it will be much harder now, especially since they plan to publish the new regulations on the internet and on signs in all marinas.
overall, great news for the boating industry in the DR!
Like anything else in this country, I will believe it when I see it, but we (Ocean World Marina) had a meeting with the Port Authority this morning, along with other marinas, where this was confirmed.
Previous versions of this legislation (quite scary ones actually, that would have killed all marinas in the country) had been floating around for the last few months.
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