Genvisec advises that all travel can continue to St Helena, Ascension and Tristan de Cunha; ensuring personnel are trained and aware of climatic conditions.

 

 

Crime  

 

Crime levels are low.

 

 

Local travel

 

St Helena

Many roads on St Helena are single lanes. Vehicles travelling downhill must give way to those travelling uphill. Driving is on the left. Drink drive laws are strictly applied with a limit of 50 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

 

Ascension

There is no public transport on Ascension Island, but bus tours with a driver can be arranged. A small number of hire cars are available and the local hotel is usually able to offer transport to and from the airfield on flight days for a reasonable fee. The speed limit is 20 mph in Georgetown and Two Boats Village, and when passing the US Base. It is either 30mph or 40 mph elsewhere. There is only one petrol/diesel station on the island, next to ‘One Boat’ settlement. Opening times are limited. Wild sheep and donkeys can gather on the roads, especially during wet weather.

 

Tristan da Cunha

You are not allowed to hike up the Base or to Marys Peak unless accompanied by a Tristan guide. Trips to areas away from the main settlement on Tristan, including to Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands, must be made with a guide for safety reasons. A fee is payable and an indemnity declaration must be signed. You need prior approval from the Administrator to visit Gough Island, which is 200 miles away by sea to the south. Permission to land will rarely be granted as Gough is a World Heritage Site. If you intend to hill walk, fish or undertake any pursuit away from the Settlement, seek the advice of a local guide and let others know where you are going and when you intend to return. This especially applies if you intend to climb The Peak, which requires a high level of fitness and an early start.

 

Getting to St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

 

St Helena

Travel to St Helena is by sea only. The Royal Mail Ship (RMS) St Helena is the only means of access. For further information contact Andrew Weir Shipping, who run the shipping service. Contact details: Andrew Weir Shipping Ltd, Dexter House, 2 Royal Mint Court, London. EC3N 4XX.Telephone: 020 7575 6480; Fax: 020 7575 6200. at Due to limited harbour facilities the RMS has to anchor offshore and passengers are ferried by smaller local boats to the landing steps. In heavy swells or bad weather, this transfer can be hazardous.

 

Ascension

Travel to Ascension Island is via RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. The RAF operates a limited fare paying service twice weekly from RAF Brize Norton to Ascension Island, returning at similar intervals. Information on the availability of tickets can be found on the Ascension Island Flights website. The RMS St Helena operates a regular service to Ascension from Cape Town via St Helena. Information on sailings can be found on the RMS St Helena website.

 

Tristan da Cunha

Travel to the Island is by sea only. Fishing vessels from Cape Town visit the Island nine times a year, and there is one annual visit made by a South African research vessel in September/October. Due to the limited harbour facilities, vessels have to anchor offshore and passengers are ferried by smaller local boats. This can be hazardous in bad weather. Approaching bad weather can mean that you have to return to your ship ahead of schedule. Fishing requirements may mean that ships need to depart Tristan ahead of schedule.

 

Consular assistance

 

Ascension

The Ascension Island Police Detachment handles all consular protection services. There is no facility for issuing replacement UK passports or UK entry visas.

 

Tristan da Cunha

If you need  assistance, contact the local police (telephone 2010). If you need a replacement or emergency passport, contact the Administrator’s office at the Government offices in the Settlement.

 

Contact details

 

UK - Representative for St Helena

 

Mrs Kedell Worboys MBE St Helena Government UK Representative 16 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP

 

Telephone: 0203 170 8705 or 0203 170 8706

 

Fax: 0203 159 5151

 

Mobile: 07989 404 654

 

Email: shgukrep@sthelenagov.com

 

South Africa – Project Administrator Manager

 

Mr John Scipio

 

Enterprise St Helena

 

1st Floor

 

Convention Towers

 

Cnr of Heerengracht and Coen Steytler Street

 

Cape Town

 

8001

 

Telephone: + 27 21 403 6366

 

Fax + 27 21 403 6301

 

Mobile + 27 72 877 9571

 

Email: john.scipio@esh.co.sh

 

Office of Tourism

 

The Canister, Jamestown, St Helena Island, South Atlantic Ocean, STHL 1ZZ

 

Telephone: 00 290 22158

 

Fax: 00 290 22159

 

Email: enquiries@tourism.gov.sh

 

Website

 

Office Hours: GMT: (Local Time = GMT) Mon-Fri: 08:30-12:30 and 13:00-16:00.

 

Local laws and customs

 

Don’t become involved with drugs of any kind. There are severe penalties for possession or importation of even small quantities. 

 

Drink/drive laws and speed restrictions are strictly enforced.

 

Drinking alcohol in public in the Jamestown area of St Helena is not allowed.

 

There are strict rules about importing alcohol into Tristan da Cunha. You need a licence to import more than two bottles of spirits.

 

Money

 

St Helena

 

The local currency is the Saint Helena Pound which is linked at parity to the British Pound (Sterling). Notes and coins are similar in denomination and appearance to their UK counterparts. Banking services on St Helena and Ascension Island are provided by the Bank of St. Helena.

 

Credit cards are not widely used, although a few outlets and business will accept them. You will be charged a commission for using your credit card. Bank of St. Helena can advance cash against credit or debit cards. All cash advances are subject to charges and you will need identification bearing a photograph and signature. The Bank of St. Helena also offers foreign exchange facilities.

 

Travellers’ cheques can be cashed at the Bank. You will need to change back any surplus local currency before leaving, as it is not possible to exchange St Helenian notes or coins once back in the UK. St Helena currency is accepted on Ascension Island and on the RMS St Helena.

 

Ascension

 

Credit cards are accepted at the local hotel, Cable & Wireless and the NAAFI shop on Travellers Hill, but otherwise are not in general use. There is one bank - the Bank of St Helena - but no cash machines. Travellers’ cheques are accepted. While the official currency is the St Helena pound, sterling bank notes are accepted in all shops and bars and the US base will accept US dollars, sterling or St Helena currency. The St Helena pound is fixed at a rate of one pound Sterling. Foreign currency (including Euros) can be exchanged at the bank, which also cashes UK cheques with proof of identify and a cheque guarantee card.   The Bank can also accept debit and credit cards. Charges may apply.

 

Tristan da Cunha

 

Tristan does not have the facilities to accept credit cards, only hard currency (British Sterling). Sterling is the currency used on the Island. There is a small bank that can exchange currency but supply is limited.

 

Camping is not allowed in Tristan da Cunha.