Cruz bay customs dock

Hello fine people,

We are chartering a 48 ft mono 6/27 - 7/7 from Dream Yachts, Maya Cove. Thinking about going to St John, clearing out of Jost. The issue is clearing in at Cruz Bay, St John. I did this 2 years ago. Following the advice obtained on this site, we picked up mooring between Caneel Bay and Lind point. Then the 6 of us took the dinghy around the point to Cruz Bay. It worked out OK but this time there will be 8 in the dinghy. I'm concerned it could be dicey if the conditions aren't great. My question is why not tie up to the customs dock? Isn't that what its for?

Thanks,

Peter

My understanding is that the Custom's Dock is for use by the Ferries.

You can tie up at the customs dock. That is our normal approach. Ferries take precedence but once you are tied up the ferry will need to wait. With that said try to avoid Sunday afternoon due to the day boats from the USIC and scheduled ferry arrival times.

The more I think about it, the more I seem to remember that it's CYOA that has Cruz Bay red-lined for charters, and that's the main reason we don't go in there.

So... you should check with your charter company on their policy.

I believe it's redlined for anchoring not entry. Tried to anchor there once and could not get it to hold.

It's not really a good idea to tie up to the customs dock and there is a surcharge. This is a very small busy area and a 48' mono will be difficult, especially if there is any wind. As far as anchoring in Cruz Bay, it's pretty shallow but the hold is very good, it's mud. It was harder getting the anchor up and shaking off the mud. In normal weather conditions the dinghy ride is doable, but it might be wet.

We have checked in twice this year. Both times we tied our dingy at the "regular" dingy dock just to the left of customs. From there just a short walk to customs and you don't need to worry about your dingy if you want to spent time in Cruz Bay, I'd never tie up at customs and worry about ferries and charges. Customs doesn't care where you tie up your dingy.

Navionics shows room to anchor just north of "1C" marker coming into ferry dock. Anyone ever used that area for anchoring while clearing customs.

all the time, soft mud, sticks like glue

Used that area many times. It is shallow but good holding. It is actually in the National Parks Service zone, but they allow anchoring for up to three hours for Customs purposes. Do NOT stay there overnight or you will be fined by the National Parks Service.....

Following up on Yachtmaster's comments, the NPS allows vessels less than 60' LOA to anchor from 6 am to 6 pm for up to 3 hours. I've anchored a catamaran near the old seaplane ramp with no problem and I've seen monohulls anchored in there. As mentioned, the anchorage is red-lined for some charter companies.

I brought a catamaran to the Customs dock about 10 years ago and was charged $0.30/foot wharfage fee. The VI Port Authority Marine Tariff schedule shows the fee is now $0.60/foot.

Just curious - do you know of anyone who has been stopped by the USCG in USVI waters for operating an overloaded dinghy (most likely without lifejackets, signaling device, etc)? I think most 11'-12' RIB dinghies are rated for 4-6 persons, not the 8+ persons often seen riding in these dinghies in the BVIs.

Thanks everyone. Baardj's comments go back to my concern getting from Lind pt to Cruz Bay. Our dinghy is 12 ft with 10 hp. I spec'd out a bunch of 12 ft RBs online. Average capacity appears 5 - 6 people, 1350 - 1650 lbs. We are 7 weighing in at 1200 lbs, so not too bad. I always carry a light and handheld VHF and would also take the life vests for longer rides like this one. For very short swimmable jaunts, probably not. Good to remember most bareboat accidents are in the dinghy, not the yacht.

That anchorage looks too shallow for my 7 ft draft. Better for cats I guess. Deeper water looks to be in front of bouys that mark the ferry channel. Also customs requires everyone be present. I usually don't leave a boat at anchor without someone aboard. I guess some do for short periods?

A $30 docking surcharge is annoying but not prohibitive given the total trip cost.

Agree also that maneuvering a large unfamiliar yacht in close quarters could be tricky, but is it that much different at the customs dock than at the marinas?

Everyone must be present you are correct, but using a mooring should be a safer feel than anchoring, you always can make 2 trips to the dinghy dock if you feel overloaded or the weather dictates.
It would be a sad commentary if sailors couldn't leave a vessel unattended at anchor once the Captain feels the hook is securely set and someone would miss out on a lot of fine dinners ashore with the rest of the crew.

Go to Lind Pount/Caneel Bay get a mooring and take two trips by tender. That creek is busy and shallow in spots. The dock area can be a zoo depending on the day. The draft and length of that boat can get you in trouble in a hurry.

I agree with local sailor, how would you go out to eat an anchor. I have many friends in VI who live on anchor, go to work all day.

In response to Baardj: We were stopped 2 years ago while on our dinghy by the Coast Guard. Not overloaded, but they gave us a warning for not having life vests. They said it was a safety check. We were headed into Cruz Bay from Caneel.

[quote]sail2wind said:
how would you go out to eat an anchor. [quote]

One tiny bite at a time?

We have old time charter boat friends who have called and requested to dock at the bulkhead and been granted permission.