In a series of articles focusing on entry and exit formalities and logistics for superyachts in various destinations, SuperyachtNews speaks to Gyða Guðmundsdóttir, project manager at the North Atlantic Agency about the pertinent issues that superyachts should consider when visiting Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

Q: What do superyachts need to know with regards to arrival procedures in the region?

In Iceland, an online pre-arrival clearance is made through SafeSeaNet and has to be sent at least 24 hours in advance. The clearance includes waste declaration, ISPS for yachts over 500gt, crew lists and passenger lists.

In Greenland, the ship reporting system is called ‘Greenpos’, but this is not mandatory for private yachts. Many yachts are afraid of using it, especially if they have famous people on board. However, we always recommend that they make use of it as, in case of an accident, the response time may be shorter.

The Faroe Islands do not have a public reporting system, so all reporting is done via the port agent. The agent will need to receive passenger and crew lists, a ship’s stores declaration and a declaration of health and ship sanitation control exemption certificate. In addition, a pilot is compulsory for the first three calls to the Faroe Islands within one year. After this the captain can apply for a pilot exemptions certificate.

Q: When are yachts likely to encounter problems during the customs process in the region?

There are very rarely any problems in Iceland, Greenland or the Faroe Islands. The customs officials run crew and passenger lists through an international database of people wanted for criminal activity and, as long as no one is wanted, everything should be fine.

It is important that the yachts are aware that their guests, if they come from visa-obliged countries, have to obtain visas for Greenland and the Faroe Islands before arriving. Visas cannot be issued on arrival and Greenland is not part of Schengen. A Schengen visa has to be marked ‘valid for Faroe Islands or/and Greenland’.

Q: How can a more constructive relationship between crew and yacht agent improve the efficiency of the process?

At NAA, our main philosophy is ‘one point of contact’ meaning that we will take care of every need and request that might come from owner, captain or crew. Once contact has been made with the crew, we can immediately start the planning process by sending all relevant customs clearance information to the relevant parties.

The next issue of The Crew Report features a focus on yacht agents, and how best they can work with superyachts in different locations. To sign up for your VIP copy, click here. 

Image credit: North Atlantic Agency

Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here.