British Indian Ocean Territory: Visits

(asked on 24th November 2016) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department takes to monitor the (a) number and (b) behaviour of private visitors to the British Indian Ocean territory.


Answered by
Alan Duncan Portrait
Alan Duncan
This question was answered on 2nd December 2016

The only private visitors to the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) are yachtspeople who stop off in the Outer Islands of the Territory if they have been granted a permit. The masters of vessels which have been issued mooring permits are expected to provide daily updates to British Forces HQ on their position whilst in the waters of the Territory and to ensure compliance with all conditions attached to the permission to enter the Territory. These waters are regularly patrolled and monitored by Visiting Vessels Control Officers and other authorised persons, who are empowered to take all necessary action against those who breach any condition imposed by a mooring permit, or who otherwise act in a way that is contrary to the law.

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