Attention Lake Ontario South Shore

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Ken Palmer

American Boaters who expect to cruise to Canada this summer must have a valid I-68 form to reenter the United States without being personally inspected at a Port of Entry, or using one of the videophones of the INS. Immigration officers will be available to issue I-68 forms in Rochester on Saturday, June 8, and Saturday, June 15, from 10 AM to 4 PM at the customs office at the Rochester International Airport. Customs decals for boats greater than 30 feet can be purchased at the same time. I-68 applicants should bring proof of citizenship, three passport-style photos and a fee of $16 per person (maximum per family charge of $32) for each person age 14 or older. Children under age 14 must be listed on one or both parents' I-68 forms. The Customs office is located in the "International Arrival Hall" on the lower level as you enter the airport. Park in the short-term parking lot. Those who do not take advantage of this opportunity may get their I-68 from the INS office at the Lewiston Bridge or Alexandria Bay. For more information call the Rochester Customs Office, 263-6293. Submitted to HOW by Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
 
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craig shaw

Not just U.S. sailers

Ken I understand its not just U.S. sailers the canadan sailers I talked to arnt happy they need the I68 also fingerprints and all. Craig
 
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Ken Palmer

Just got mine

Boaters from the U.S. side of Lake Ontario were given some slack by the INS. They set up a temporary office to obtain I-68 forms at the Rochester airport Saturday, and will do the same thing next Saturday (6-15-02) from 10:00 to 16:00. I heard that when they opened yesterday at 10:00, there were over 100 people in line. A friend of mine waited 2-hours to get his form. My wife and I went at 2 PM, and spent a total of 15 minutes in the airport getting the form. No wait at all. It was pretty painless. We had passports, driver's license, and birth certificates. The passports were all they looked at, and the photos that go on the form are taken digitally from the passport photos and placed on the forms. The fingerprint is only the right hand index finger, not what I expected. You do not need the I-68 form to visit the U.S. from Canada if your first stop is a port with a videophone. There will be three new videophones installed on the south shore of Lake Ontario within a month. This will make it as easy as crossing a boarder by car. Be aware that the I-68 is for Immigration (INS), and you still need to call US Customs at their 800 number. I have also applied for a CANPASS, and found out Friday that the process takes 10 weeks! This delay is caused by the security search at the US side according to the Canadian official I talked with. I realize that the Canadians also have a videophone check-in procedure making the CANPASS not necessary. I tell myself that September 11 changed everything. I am happy that boarder officials on both sides of the lake are taking this whole thing seriously. Are they picking on pleasure boaters? I don't think so. Buying the passes means that you only fill out forms once a year. If you travel by car, they get to interview you every time you cross. Anyway, I will be taking my summer cruise to Canada in July, and will sail without worrying about getting across the boarder now. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
 
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Tony Wilcox

New Video Phones

Hi Ken, I hope your visit in July will let you get to the Rendezvous in Toronto. You mentioned 3 new phone locations shortly. When they are up and running please post message with there location Tony Wilcox
 
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