Within the framework of the permanent inspections carried out by public services to verify compliance with current regulations, personnel from the Maritime Police of the Puerto Natales Harbor Master’s Office, together with officials from the National Customs Service and the Chilean Investigative Police (PDI), carried out an inspection and ordered the seizure of a British-flagged yacht anchored in the Señoret Channel.
The procedure, carried out on board the Rescue Service Boat LSR-4431 Kawesqar, made it possible to verify the administrative situation of the vessel and notify those responsible of the measure, after detecting background information associated with the use of the temporary admission regime for foreign vessels for non-commercial purposes for the carrying out of paid tourist activities.
The regional director of the Punta Arenas Customs Office, Reinhold Andronoff, commented that “again, and after meticulous analytical work by our officials, another yacht was detected that was being used to carry out tourist trips illegally in our Region, something that constitutes a clear violation of customs regulations. For this reason, and as in the previous cases we have inspected regarding this type of commerce, we work jointly with PDI and the Navy, which reinforces interagency efforts by focusing on protecting the Magallanes region and its citizens.”
Likewise, during the procedure, the crew members of the vessel were inspected, detecting infractions of Law No. 21.325 on Migration and Foreign Nationals, upon verifying that foreign citizens had allegedly carried out paid activities while maintaining the migratory status of tourists.
In this regard, Deputy Prefect Lautaro Guajardo, head of the Puerto Natales Migration and International Police Department, indicated that “within the framework of interagency work, detectives from Migration and International Police Puerto Natales, together with personnel from Customs and the Maritime Police, carried out the inspection of a yacht that was off the coast of Puerto Natales. During the procedure, it was established that two foreign citizens, of Italian and British nationality, with tourist migratory status, were working without having the authorization to carry out paid activities, infringing the Migration and Foreign Nationals Law. For this reason, both were reported to the National Migration Service.”
At the time of the procedure, the vessel remained anchored in the Señoret Channel with five crew members on board, of British, Italian and Chilean nationality.
On the other hand, the Harbor Master of Puerto Natales, Lieutenant Commander Rafael González, stated that “this procedure reflects the importance of coordinated work between the Chilean Navy, the Investigative Police and the National Customs Service. Interagency inspection allows strengthening compliance with maritime, customs and migration regulations, contributing to ensuring that activities carried out in our jurisdiction conform to the current legal framework.”
The Maritime Authority reiterated that it will continue carrying out joint inspections with the competent agencies, aimed at safeguarding compliance with national legislation and promoting safe and regulated development of maritime activities in the Magallanes Region.
