cruise planning and cruising course chapter 9 the formalities of cruising in foreign waters united...
TRANSCRIPT
Cruise Planning and Cruising Course
Chapter 9The Formalities of Cruising in
Foreign Waters
United States Power Squadrons ®
Instructors and Students Please Note:Post-release corrections, notes, and updates are posted at:http://www.usps.org/national/eddept/cp/main.htmPlease check the site in order to have the best available materials.
Slide 2
Summary
Embassies, Consulates, and Consular Agents
Travel Documents Entering and Clearing Foreign Ports US Customs and Border Protection Canada Customs and Border
Protection Customs and Border Protection:
Mexico, Bahamas, and the British Virgin Islands
Boat Book
Embassies, Consulates, and Consular Agents
Every country has customs and border protection
Foreign embassies and consulates can assist the visitor before traveling
US State Department can provide information on required papers and security in the country• Can provide helpful travel information• Provides a security assessment of the country
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Travel Documents
Passport: a must have document• US Department of State issues the document• Applications can be submitted by mail or through the
US Postal Service• Allow ample time to apply and receive your passport
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)• Traveling between Canada, Mexico, Bahamas,
Caribbean Islands or Bermuda• You must have one of the following:
US Passport Booklet: air, land and sea US Passport Card: land and sea Enhanced Drivers License: land or sea; state issued Trusted Traveler Program Cards: NEXUS or SENTRI: land and sea;
pre-approved travel into US from Canada and Mexico
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Travel Documents
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Travel Documents
Foreign Visas• Some countries require visas• Specify reason for travel and length of stay
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Entering and Clearing Foreign Ports
Many variations depending on the country
Chapter will approach the topic in four sections:• General description of the process• US Customs• Canada• Mexico, Bahamas, and British Virgin Islands
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General Process
Upon entering a port in a foreign country for the first time, contact port official via radio
Raise “Q” flag, the international code flag for Request Practique (except Canada)
After clearance is granted to enter the country, lower the Q flag and raise the courtesy flag
Meeting with the Port and Customs officials:• The captain goes ashore alone to meet with the
officials• Discuss travel plans and what is aboard• Examination of documents
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Q Flag
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Our Neighbors’ Courtesy Flags
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General Process
Entry clearance may also involve:• Review of inventory and equipment• Vessel inspection• Medical inspection• Interviewing the crew• Completing more forms (may be in foreign language)• Fees
Ports of Entry• Enter a country only through designated ports of
entry• Know where they are• Others ports are acceptable under an emergency
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General Process
Going ashore in Port of Entry• To go ashore or not to go ashore; that is the
question• Rule of Thumb: Wait 2-4 hours after raising the
Q flag and/or attempting radio contact• ONLY captain goes ashore with all papers
Medical Clearance• Health official visits boat to determine if the
crew is without infectious disease• Health certificates and immunization records
important
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General Process
Pets• Vet and vaccination records• Some countries may quarantine pets: know
before you go!
Foreign Customs Clearance• Schedule arrival• Controlled and restricted items• Secure locker• Searches• Communications
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General Process
Immigration clearance• Your papers, please
After clearing• Free to go ashore
Departure• Can be time consuming; plan ahead• Clear up to a day ahead• Keep all documents relative to clearing the
visited country
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US Customs and Border Protection
Basic US Entry Requirements• Persons: Face to face Inspection• Vessels: Report of Arrival• US Customs User Fee Decal• Pleasure Boat Identification Numbers
Special Border Programs• NEXUS• I-68 Program• Local Boater Option (LBO)• Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS)• OARS
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User Fee Decal
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I-68/NEXUS
Sample
Sample
US Customs
Informal entry• Normal procedure for US citizens• Simple process• Most recreational boats
Formal entry• Complicated and requires posting of bond• Usually for commercial vessels
Narcotics, Food, Plants and Animals Pets
• Vaccinations and documents necessary
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US Customs
Firearms Emergencies Stay onboard
• Customs clearance must be obtained before anyone can go ashore (even for US citizens)
Departures
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Canada
Entry requirements• In person report• No Q flag
In-transit Exception• Proceeding through Canadian waters, originating
in a port outside Canada, going to another port outside of Canada
No landing Cellular Reporting• For boaters weaving in and out of Canadian waters
Designated Telephone Marine Reporting Sites• Reporting through special phone sites
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Canada
Special Border Programs• NEXUS• CANPASS
Clearance Report Number Pleasure Craft Operator Card Customs
• Narcotics, Food, Plants, and Animals• Pets• Firearms
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Mexico
Entry requirements• Port of entry• Q flag and courtesy flag flying• Officials for Immigration, Customs and the Port
Authority (API) (possibly medical)
Documents, por favor.• All documents on vessel and crew must be
presented• Forms for completion will be in Spanish
Firearms• Will cost you several days for clearance
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Bahamas
Entry requirements• Port of entry with Q flag flying• Customs and immigration will board• Entry fees• Immigration cards for all crew
Solvency Temporary cruising permit Controlled movement between harbors Firearms must be in secure locker
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British Virgin Islands
Popular cruising ground for US charterers Usually movement between US Virgin Islands
and BVI Captain can clear all crew at Port offices Q flag flown outside of business hours in Ports
of Entry to await immigration and customs Cruising fee eSeaClear program No firearms aboard; can be stored at entry
port Strict pet regulations
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Boat Book
Organization of documents and papers Vessel documentation or State registration
• Boat data• Inventory
Crew list• Medical information
Radio licenses Permits and transit documents Insurance papers Bank statements (proof of solvency) Emergency protocols
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Inside Front Cover
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Questions ? … Comments