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General

Last Updated on Saturday, 10 April 2010 18:35

The Sail Timor-Leste Darwin Dili Yacht Rally is a yacht rally that leaves Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia and finishes in Dili, Timor-Leste. 
 
The event has a rich history going back to 1973 when authorities in then Portuguese Timor and the CYANT (Cruising Yacht Association NT) organised the first ever international yacht race to leave Australian and Darwin shores.  The 6 competitors in the 1973 event took 4-5 days to reach Dili.  The event was so popular that in 1974 the fleet increased four-fold and a total of 24 yachts participated in the 1974 Darwin Dili Yacht Race.  The record holder for line honours in the Darwin Dili race was set by the yacht Kingo in 1974 with a total time of 91:37 hours. 

Unfortunately the Indonesian incorporation of East Timor in 1975 caused subsequent events to be cancelled.  It was with pleasure that in 2002, CYANT members assisted with the organising of a yacht race to Dili to coincide with the celebrations of Timor-Leste’s independence and creation as the world’s youngest nation. Eight yachts from Darwin made the voyage.
 

2010 Rally

In 2010, the Government of Timor-Leste is re-instating the Darwin Dili Yacht Rally as an annual fixture on the yachting calendar.  This event seeks to recreate the many sporting, social and historical ties between the yachting fraternity of the Northern Territory and people of Timor-Leste and offers the opportunity to Australian and international sailors and yachts to visit this unique and beautiful part of the world. Timor-Leste offers visitors spectacular scenery and an array of traditional cultures and for the sailor, the added benefit is a range of pristine reefs and unique marine ecosystems in clear and unpolluted water.

The Rally is open to the following yachts, which have completed a non-stop passage of at least 200 miles across open sea and comply with the SOLAS regulations:

  • Monohull yachts having a waterline length of not less than 7.3 metres and
  • Multihull yachts with a waterline length of not less than 8.0 metres.

The 2010 Entry Fee is AUD250 which is fully refundable on arrival in Dili or if your yacht needs to withdraw from the event for unforseen reasons beforehand. Participation in the Rally includes:

  • A complimentary Rally Barbeque at the Darwin Sailing Club for all crew members on Sunday 27 June 2010 at 1800 hours,
  • A Technical Briefing on the Rally and what to expect in Timor-Leste on Tuesday 29 June 2010. Representatives from Timor-Leste will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding your travel, the latest information will be given out, rally radio scheds will be finalised and the details for your arrival in Timor Leste will also be explained,
  • A Presentation and welcome function on arrival in Dili, and
  • The opportunity to cruise along the Timor-Leste coastline at your leisure.

Details of all functions in Darwin and Dili and arrangements for CIQ (Customs Immigration and Quarantine) clearance from Australia will be provided to all confirmed entrants in an Information Booklet.  Yachts wishing to depart Australia from ports other than Darwin, eg Nhulunbuy, can do so by special arrangement with the organisers.

On arrival in Dili, participants are expected to pay the costs of Visas on Arrival (USD30 for a thirty (30) day stay. Visa extension applications must be submitted directly to the Immigration Department in Dili, Timor-Leste. Extensions cost USD35 for each extension of 30 days.  A Departure Tax of USD10 also applies to passengers departing by air, but this is not applicable to people departing by sea. 

All foreigners seeking to enter Timor-Leste on a temporary visa are required to have a valid national passport with an expiry date not less than 6 months from the date of entry into Timor-Leste.  For further information regarding visa regulations go to the Timor-Leste Immigration Department website at  www.migracao.gov.tl 

If your yacht is not yet in Australia, for information go to the Australian Customs web site at www.customs.gov.au, also see the regulations page www.customs.gov.au/site/page4358.asp. Australian Customs and Quarantine regulations require that yachts arriving in Australia must give notice of arrival at least 96 hours before arrival at their first port in Australia.

The Australian Quarantine web site  www.daffa.gov.au/aqis details all information regarding Australia's quarantine laws including the regulations regarding importation of any organic material, foods, cats, dogs or other pets you may have on board.  Also when you arrive in Australia, the Quarantine Service may want inspect the hull of your yacht for unwanted marine organisms, please see Yacht Arrival Quarantine Regulations  www.daff.gov.au/aqis/avm/vessels/guidelines-under25 for all details.

If your yacht is not yet in Darwin, please note that there are Northern Territory Government regulations regarding the entry of yachts into Darwin's marinas to prevent the spread of marine pests. For all information see visit the Northern Territory Government Fisheries web site at www.nt.gov.au/d/Fisheries/index.cfm

Important Matters

Guns, firearms and ammunition - are strictly prohibited imports into Timor-Leste.  DO NOT CARRY ANY GUNS ABOARD YOUR VESSEL.

Travel Warnings - It is most important that you check the latest information on travel advice and the security situation for the countries and places you propose to visit. This information is available from a number of government websites including www.dfat.gov.au and www.smartraveller.gov.au and from most embassies in Australia.

Medical Advice - Timor-Leste is affected by Malaria, Polio, Typhoid Fever, Hepatitis as well as other diseases and you are strongly advised to seek medical advice regarding the prevention and treatment of these diseases. A detailed health overview for travellers in Timor-Leste can be found at the following websites: www.traveldoctor.com.au/  and www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/asia/east_timor.php 

Indonesian Waters - Any yachts wishing to travel into Indonesian waters or ports after the Darwin Dili Rally require appropriate Indonesia cruising and security permits. These must be obtained prior to departure from Darwin.  For more information go to www.sailindonesia.net  Entrants in the Sail Timor-Leste Darwin Dili Yacht Rally are able to enter the Sail Indonesia event, joining up with the Sail Indonesia fleet in Kupang in West Timor after departing Dili. For more information on this option including relevant conditions, contact Sail Indonesia on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Before you leave Darwin/Australia

  • Obtain relevant travel advice and special advisories from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (www.dfat.gov.au) or from your national embassy.
     
  • Obtain medical/travel insurance in the event you require medical evacuation from Dili. 
     
  • Consider international roaming for your mobile.
     
  • Obtain the necessary amount of US dollars or travellers cheques. The ANZ Bank and a number of other foreign banks operate in Dili but it is always advisable to arrange cash or travellers cheques prior to arrival. 
     
  • Obtain any necessary prescription medicines.
     
  • Obtain any necessary vaccinations and anti-malarial treatments.
     
  • Obtain a Timor-Leste travel guide eg Lonely Planet or equivalent
     
  •  Take supplies of second hand children's clothes, notepads and pens etc to give away in return for the hospitality you will receive at small villages and communities.
     
  • Learn a few words of Tetum! A smile and a few local words can take you a long way.