Streamlined
Port Clearance Center Opens in Ensenada
text
by connie ellig; photo by david hopps
first
published in baja times newspaper
 Recreational
boaters visiting Mexico can now take advantage of streamlined yacht documentation
processing services at Ensenada’s new Centro Integral
de Servicios (CIS). Located just north of the harbor on Blvd.
Teniente Azueta #101-1 next to the main SCT Port Captain’s office, the
newly constructed Integral Services Center features walk-up windows for
harbormaster (Capitanía de Puerto), customs (Aduana),
immigration (Migración), fishing (CONAPESCA), and banking
services. Nautical visitors can pay many of the required fees with credit
cards such as Visa, MasterCard, Visa Election and Banamex.
In the past, the port clearance procedure was a complicated, time-consuming
process because recreational boaters had to comply with requisites from
diverse offices and banks scattered throughout Ensenada. But now, with
all of the necessary authorities conveniently situated in one building,
visitors will be able to save time and receive improved, faster service.
Office hours are 8am-5pm Monday-Friday and 10am-2pm on Saturday and Sunday.
To contact the Capitanía de Puerto at the CIS, call (646)174-0191.
The Centro Integral de Servicios is a pilot program that the federal
government plans to expand to Cabo San Lucas and Cancún. It is the
first of its kind in all of Mexico, part of a general project called “Mar
de Cortez” that is designed to attract more tourism. As befitting its importance,
the Integral Services Center was officially inaugurated on February 1 by
the President of Mexico, Vicente Fox. President Fox spent time greeting
staff and tourists engaged in conducting business inside the facility,
and then spoke about how the center will benefit nautical tourism and the
port city of Ensenada. Among the other dignitaries who attended the ribbon-cutting
ceremonies were Baja California Governor Eugenio Elorduy Walter, Ensenada
Mayor César Mancillas Amador, Senator Hector Osuna Jaime, and Ports
and Merchant Marine General Coordinator César Reyes Roel.
Located 70 miles south of San Diego, Ensenada is the northernmost port
of entry on the Pacific coast for boaters entering Mexican waters. Ensenada
has been famous for decades as the co-host and finish line for the world’s
largest international yacht race, the Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race, to
be held April 22-24, 2005, and the San Diego-Ensenada International Yacht
Race, scheduled for October 2005.
(left
to right) Ensenada Mayor César Mancillas, Baja California Governor
Eugenio Elorduy, Mexican President Vicente Fox, Ports and Merchant Marine
General Coordinator César Reyes and Senator Hector Osuna. Photo
courtesy of API.
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