Just got back from our little 4 day trip to Bimini from Miami. We left out of the Marina at 4am and pulled into the Bimini Big Game marina before noon. We had a great time sailing, catching a few fish, snorkeling, and free diving for lobster..we were able to get 12 over the 3 day period. Spent the last night at Honeymoon Harbour at the north end of Gun Cay. It was gorgeous and very calm with the light south-easterlies and.... the girls loved it. We pulled anchor at 3am and were in our home slip at 10:15.. all in all a great trip... But did you know.. (I didn't).... We got back and called the customs 800# and held for about 30 minutes. When we finally got through, the person on the other end saild I needed to call "INS" and that this was a new procedure. Sooo, I called INS and they said that we all needed to come over and declare ourselves as US citizens. I thought this must be some kind of random check since I had never done this before. We got in out cars drove around for 30 minutes and finally located the INS office. We had to have our customs clearance number, passports and bsaic vessel information. We questiond the INS officer and he told us "this was not a new procedure" and "that many people just don't do it." The problem is that if you get caught, you face a fine of $500 and they take your boat. He did say that with enough notice, they would try and meet you at the dock. I am posting this because I have never seen this information posted int he cruising guides. I have only ever seen information regarding customs. Hopefully this will save somebody some hassle in the future. Brian C. S/V CREW REST
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Ken Koons
Compleat Angler
Brian, Did you make it down to the Compleat Angler? Bimini is a fun little place. My friends and I caught a lot of fish anchored in the flats between Gun Cay and another little spit of land one night. We had chartered a nice Hunter from Florida Yacht Charters at Miami Beach and crossed over. The mosquitos were unbearable at Honeymoon harbor so we moved off. Apparently we anchored in the middle of fish I-95. We were pulling in BIG red snapper, barracuda, and 4 or 5 sharks.
Brian, Did you make it down to the Compleat Angler? Bimini is a fun little place. My friends and I caught a lot of fish anchored in the flats between Gun Cay and another little spit of land one night. We had chartered a nice Hunter from Florida Yacht Charters at Miami Beach and crossed over. The mosquitos were unbearable at Honeymoon harbor so we moved off. Apparently we anchored in the middle of fish I-95. We were pulling in BIG red snapper, barracuda, and 4 or 5 sharks.
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Brian c.
Yes
We hit pretty much all the watering holes in Bimini..including the "compleat angler." Lot of neat stuff to look at with all the Hemingway pictures etc. Brian s/v CREW REST
We hit pretty much all the watering holes in Bimini..including the "compleat angler." Lot of neat stuff to look at with all the Hemingway pictures etc. Brian s/v CREW REST
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Paul Mieszczenski
Thanks Brian
Brian, Thanks for that little gem of info. IN all the times that I've sailed to the Bahamas I have never heard of that one. I agree that it must be a new procedure. Soooo what if I sail back into Key Largo, home port, do I have to drive all the way to Miami to check in? Leave it to Uncle to make life difficult. Glad you had a nice trip, PM
Brian, Thanks for that little gem of info. IN all the times that I've sailed to the Bahamas I have never heard of that one. I agree that it must be a new procedure. Soooo what if I sail back into Key Largo, home port, do I have to drive all the way to Miami to check in? Leave it to Uncle to make life difficult. Glad you had a nice trip, PM
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Brian C.
Actually...
Actually the INS guy said this has always been on the books, but it just isn't followed/enforced much of the time... He did say that with enough notice that someone could meet you in your dock in Key largo or wherever. He said he even had a guy call him at the last minute in marathon recently and he was willing to meet him half way... I really wonder how many people actually follow the procedure... Brian C. s/v CREW REST
Actually the INS guy said this has always been on the books, but it just isn't followed/enforced much of the time... He did say that with enough notice that someone could meet you in your dock in Key largo or wherever. He said he even had a guy call him at the last minute in marathon recently and he was willing to meet him half way... I really wonder how many people actually follow the procedure... Brian C. s/v CREW REST
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Brian D
User Fee ?
Dosnt the user fee decal and the number on it cover you when you call customs? We have been in thru this procedure many times.
Dosnt the user fee decal and the number on it cover you when you call customs? We have been in thru this procedure many times.
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Marc
INS
Maybe in these times, the INS is trying to do the right thing and keep track of people entering our country. Marc
Maybe in these times, the INS is trying to do the right thing and keep track of people entering our country. Marc
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steven f.
INS
Wouldn't it be nice if the INS actually kept up with who's coming and going in the country? We returned from Cuba in 1999 and Customs advised us we had to clear INS in Key West (after we arrived in Boot Key Harbor), INS said we didn't have to. The government doesn't seen to know what one hand is doing to the other, they just seem to take it on a case-by-case basis I guess.
Wouldn't it be nice if the INS actually kept up with who's coming and going in the country? We returned from Cuba in 1999 and Customs advised us we had to clear INS in Key West (after we arrived in Boot Key Harbor), INS said we didn't have to. The government doesn't seen to know what one hand is doing to the other, they just seem to take it on a case-by-case basis I guess.
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Steve
User Fee = Customs, INS is people
The decal that is purchased from Customs is to pay for the person at the other end of the phone when you call in (boats 30' and larger pay, 30' and under don't). You still must call Customs each time you return. This only deals with "things" brought back. INS deals with the people on board. You must also clear INS each time your return from a another country. The laws have been on the books for a long time, but enforcement has not been a priority. The law says it must be a face-to-face inspection for INS. With Canada, we have our I-68's to comply, as well as a few video check-in stations. How it is accomplished in other areas is most likely at the discretion of the INS district. Your best bet is to call and find out before you go. Steve
The decal that is purchased from Customs is to pay for the person at the other end of the phone when you call in (boats 30' and larger pay, 30' and under don't). You still must call Customs each time you return. This only deals with "things" brought back. INS deals with the people on board. You must also clear INS each time your return from a another country. The laws have been on the books for a long time, but enforcement has not been a priority. The law says it must be a face-to-face inspection for INS. With Canada, we have our I-68's to comply, as well as a few video check-in stations. How it is accomplished in other areas is most likely at the discretion of the INS district. Your best bet is to call and find out before you go. Steve
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