Above: St Lucia

By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Lucia will be requiring yachters to complete immigration cards upon entry to the island, the government announced Friday.

The new policy will take effect on Sep. 1, 2014.

In a statement, the Ministry of Tourism said the move would help “accurately account for yachting and stay-over arrivals and better serve the needs of our valued tourists.”

The new card must be completed by every individual on board a vessel, the Ministry said, disembarking at Rodney Bay, Marigot Bay, Vieux Fort, Soufriere and Ganter’s Bays.

“Saint Lucia is fast becoming the yachting destination of choice for many,” the Ministry said. “The added value which the yachting sector brings to the island’s tourism industry is evidenced by the range of employment opportunities available, economic benefits and linkages formed with other sectors.”

The government said the move was a reintroduction of a prior policy.