Passport page to Diveop?

[billt4sf]

Hello there,

We received a request -- nay, a directive -- about our upcoming trip with Mermaid that we must send a color copy of our passport page to them a month prior to the trip. This is definitely new as we have not done this in the past.

Does anyone else have this directive from their diveops? Does anyone understand why this is being done?

It seems to me that one needs to be quite careful as sending this type of info could lead to identity theft.

The directive we received is below.

Thanks,

Bill


Due to government regulation we must provide each Harbourmaster with a colour copy of each guest’s picture page of their passport to submit to the harbor master to get boat clearance.

If any guests are not comfortable with sending their passport copy to us, we are sorry but the passport copy is a pre-requisite to boarding and is now required to be forwarded to us no later than 1 month prior to their cruise along with their guest information forms thanks.

If any guest is not comfortable they can send direct to info@mermaid-liveaboards.com , use a passworded PDF file and send us the password separately.

Or send by www.wetransfer.com to info@mermaid-liveaboards.com .

Any emails sent to us should have guest name, vessel name and departure date in the subject line please to reduce the chance of it being spammed.

Please ensure all passport copies are sent to us to meet port clearance procedures for a smooth trip.

 

[CWK]

Indonesia LOB - Required Documents

 

[Snoweman]

Most hotels I've been to outside of the USA will make a copy of our passport picture pages upon arrival. Since this "hotel" is a little different as it can't take just anyone, I don't think it's unreasonable for them to want the color copy ahead of time.

 

[Mike Veitch]

More and more common here yes, especially in Raja. There is a lot of bureaucracy going on behind the scenes

 

[Damselfish]

We've had to do that a couple times. I always email things like that in a password protected file of some sort, even without the suggestion. I suspect they've had many people uncomfortable with the idea, hence the up-front apologetic tone and suggestions on doing it securely.

 

[sefuchs]

We are going to RA in January and our LOB required a copy of our PPs. From there going to Cambodia, booked through a completely different tour operator and they required a copy of our PPs as well. The Cambodia folks suggested a secure email method so I am sure they have received flack over asking for them.

 

[Dan]

FYI, dive resorts / operators in Egypt, Saudi Arabia & UAE have also asked me to send mine. I just took a picture of my PP & sent them through WhatsApp. Nothing bad so far (fingers crossed).

 

[nudisusie]

For Raja definitely as passport info is required to get your park permits, your passport number is printed onto the card you receive.
Harbour masters at each port we went to in Indonesia want to see photocopies/ print outs of all guest passport for the manifest before the boat is allowed out of the dock.

In the Philippines if you go to tubbataha or want to dive balicasag you must provide passport info up front so the boat / dive op can register you beforehand ... otherwise no diving!

 

[billt4sf]

More and more common here yes, especially in Raja. There is a lot of bureaucracy going on behind the scenes

Mike, are they trying to limit the number of divers or boats in RA yet?

- Bill

 

[Dan]

Not yet, according to what I heard from: Dr Mark Erdmann Discusses Raja Ampat

Fortunately, unlike Red Sea, RA is a huge area.