Cruise Planning and Cruising Course Chapter 9 The Formalities of Cruising in Foreign Waters United States Power Squadrons ® Instructors and Students Please Note: Post-release corrections, notes, and updates are posted at: Please 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 Slide 3

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 Slide 4

Travel Documents Slide 5

Travel Documents  Foreign Visas Some countries require visas Specify reason for travel and length of stay Slide 6

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 Slide 7

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 Slide 8

Q Flag Slide 9

Our Neighbors’ Courtesy Flags Slide 10

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 Slide 11

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 Slide 12

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 Slide 13

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 Slide 14

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 Slide 15

User Fee Decal Slide 16

I-68/NEXUS 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 Slide 18

US Customs  Firearms  Emergencies  Stay onboard Customs clearance must be obtained before anyone can go ashore (even for US citizens)  Departures Slide 19

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 Slide 20

Canada  Special Border Programs NEXUS CANPASS  Clearance Report Number  Pleasure Craft Operator Card  Customs Narcotics, Food, Plants, and Animals Pets Firearms Slide 21

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 Slide 22

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 Slide 23

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 Slide 24

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 Slide 25

Inside Front Cover

Slide 27 Questions ? … Comments