Welcome, to
the National Rescue and Maritime Safety Organisation of the Venezuelan Aquatic Spaces [ONSA A.C.]

Sorry, but for now this is the only information page for the non-Spanish speaking waterways community members. We look forward to include other languages in this site soon.

Thank you for entering into our site and contacting Us...
[info@onsa.org.ve]

Maritime Safety Information

1. MARITIME AUTHORITY

a. By law, the maritime authority is the PORT's CAPTAIN. Each region has one [i.e. La Guaira, Guanta Pto La Cruz, Margarita]. Foreign vessels have to contact the PORT's CAPTAIN OFFICE [Capitanía de Puerto] to request Customs & Immigration.

b. The Venezuelan COAST GUARD is a support entity for control and inspections. Their ships are grey painted, mostly because they are military boats. The CG should be on VHF channel 16, 24hours a day , but not all the time you can get a response. No English speaking is reported by radio operators.

c. There are other entities that are also related with the control and inspections of boats, like the NATIONAL GUARD that has a maritime division called VIGILANCIA COSTERA particularly for Drug and Customs inspections.

2. COMMUNICATIONS

a. VHF Channel 16 for maritime emergencies: Some times this channel is NOT the STBY channel of some areas or marinas, particularly in the Eastern regions of Venezuela [i.e. Puerto La Cruz]. The coastal radio stations are working only from 8am to 5pm weekdays and from 8am to 7pm weekends; unless private / marinas radios stations upon request.

Eastern Region Marinas..... Channel VHF 71
Central Region Marinas...... Channel VHF 68

b. VHF Channel 78 International: This Channel is a duplex channel on the international radio mode. The antennas and the system is mostly supported by the voluntary Corps of MSAR called CASMAR VENEZUELA. Can be contacted by this channel mostly on weekends.

c. On HF frequencies of the Single Side Band [SSB] Venezuelan marinas are used to stay tune on: 2638.0 , 2738.0 & 8291.0

3. PROCEDURES

a. When sailing from one maritime circumscription to the next, you may need to get a document named the ZARPE [recreational vessel are not to request but via radio] which requires visiting the PORT CAPTAIN's office and in some cases customs and immigration. Everyone is friendly but can be a time consuming operation.

b. Local agents [GESTORES] can be found. Mostly all are diligent and for a reasonable fee can take care of the paperwork that might take you sometimes a hole day of done by yourself. This guys can be found at the PORT OF CAPTAIN's OFFICE.

c. The Venezuelan Officials are very conservative. Be forewarned that when going to a government office, you should be sure to wear shoes, a decent shirt and trousers; otherwise officials might be inexplicably unavailable.

4. PORTS & MARINAS

a. There are many different marinas all over Central & Eastern part of the Venezuelan Coast. They you may find friendly and diligent people that will take care about your needs. Private marinas are most recommended when arriving first time into an area.

b. In general, public marinas does not have private security personnel, due tu minor robbery that can affect your boat during your stay. We highly recommended to dock in private marinas that can advise about local security measures & in the surroundings.

5. SAILING DIRECTIONS

a. Water temperatures are between 68ºF and 77ºF. Air temperatures are between 65º to 100ºF. The water along the coast is clean but murky with a visibility normally limited to about 10 feet; thus eyeball navigation is out. The current is normally to the W. The wind is normally to from the ENE.

b. Due to a nature phenomenon [deslave] occurred on December, 2000 on the coastal areas of La Guaira, the soundings and coastal lines there have dramatically change in some particular points of the coast, so is recommended to keep nearly one (1) nautical mile away from the chart guidelines until updated. Eyeball navigation and digital sounding should be use when entering from a mile off coast while in this area. Also, request the marina a confirmation of any danger area on the approach to it.

6. EMERGENCY

a. In case of an emergency, you can activate a private auxiliary and altern emergency communication net for Venezuela & the Caribbean, thru the email [sar@onsa.org.ve] wich is attended by many voluntary and governmental entities related with Maritime Search & Rescue Operations in the region. This email activate an alarm over more than 20 related organizations Caribbean wide that will open a MSAR mission on your call.

b. Officially, there is the RESCUE CENTER COORDINATOR MAIQUETÍA [RCC-MIQ] that can be contacted by phone: +58 - 212 - 355 1518, 355 1920. It should have an operational VHF comunication radio on channel 16 but for now is not confirmed. The Venezuelan COASTGUARD should be on VHF radio channel 16 and HF radio on frequency 2182.0 [no English speaking operator reported]. The PORT OF CAPTAIN OFFICE should be on VHF Channel 16, not all are 24hours confirmed. On HF frequencies of the Single Side Band [SSB] Venezuelan marinas are used to stay tune on: 2638.0 , 2738.0 & 8291.0

c. Emergency Position Indicator Radio Beacons [EPIRBs] are not detected by Venezuelan authorities but RCC-SJU [Coast Guard San Juan, PR] in any emergency signal detection, generates the call thru official channels like TELEX/FAX/PHONE and as an alternative communication tool they can use the Private Auxiliary and altern Emegency communication Net for Venezuela & the Caribbean thru the email [sar@onsa.org.ve] if is within Venezuelan almost 500.000 sq. km., of MSAR responsibility in the Eastern Caribbean & the Atlantic.

7. PIRACY / ARMED ROBBERY

a. We have received time to time reports of Piracy / Armed Robbery on yachts, anchored at night near fishermen's areas. Mostly this reports are related with drunk or drugged fishermen looking for money and/or personal belongings like towels, shirts, etc. We do recommend to keep always somebody at night around the boat in any case.

b. Even when friendly & good people is the rule, some others are looking for trouble. In some way, having good relationship with the locals - giving them some fruits, batteries or goods that are not easily findable on their place - helps in keeping the good people at your side wich won't let trouble ones to bader you.

c. To Avoid dangerous areas you MUST see the Boater's Risk Zone Map HERE!. Other Security information regarding this issue is publish at our Sécurité Report webpage.

d. In case of an attack, you should contact immediately the PORT OF CAPTAIN and the National Investigative Police Corp [CICPC] office near you, to declare the incident. Don't hesitate to contact Us to help you & recommend further actions. If you require further assistance or want to denounce any incident, please contact Us thru the email [securite@onsa.org.ve] indicating your request.

Don't hesitate to contact Us for further related information thru the email [info@onsa.org.ve], and willing you to have a nice & pleasant stay while in the Venezuelan waterways,

Wishing you a good weather & calm seas,

ONSA A.C.
Secretary General