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.

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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