For Great Lakes Sailors, thought I'd pass on this article from the Windsor, Ontario paper regarding the I-68 snafu. Subject: FW: Windsor Star, Monday 25 March 2002 Boaters' passes reinstated U.S. immigration officials say I-68 forms will be used again this boating season By Dave Hall Star Staff Reporter It'll be business as usual for Canadian and U.S. boat owners this summer now that the U.S. immigration department's I-68 forms have been reinstated. The forms, which boat owners fill out prior to each boating season, allow residents on both sides of the border access to each other's waterways, marinas, bars and restaurants without having to report to U.S. immigration stations. That's good news to boat and business owners on both sides of the border. "It would have pretty much devastated our racing program if the forms hadn't been reinstated," said John Murphy, vice-commodore of the Essex County Performance Handicapped Racing Fleet, a sailing organization which represents area clubs. "The vast majority of our events are shared events with U.S. clubs and we race in both Canadian and U.S. waters. Would hurt events "Without the I-68s, our schedule would have been severely compromised," said Murphy. "In fact, I would say that just about everyone in this area who owns a boat spends at least some of their time in U.S. waters." At Sindbad's on Detroit's near-east side, where Canadian boaters make up 25 per cent of the summertime business, co-owner Mark Blancke was relieved that the issue had been resolved. "It's great news and very timely, although I had a feeling that something would be done eventually," said Blancke, a second-generation owner of the riverfront landmark. "I wasn't really concerned in the long term, but I did think it might affect the beginning of our season. "We get a substantial amount of our business from boaters and around here the season isn't much more than a month away, so the timing is perfect." The program had been under review by the U.S. government's Office of Budget and Management to determine if the forms were still valid. SOME CHANGES Different form, same fee As a result of the review, the forms have been modified, but will still cost $16 US per person or $32 per family. They will be available on a U.S. government Web site at www.ins.gov. or by mail later this week, according to a U.S. official. Boat owners are required to fill out the forms and report to a U.S. immigration office where they'll be asked to provide identification, undergo a brief background check and, if approved, pay the fee. Design and contents copyright The Windsor Star ©2000
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Steve
Real Update
The Canadian paper doesn't have it quite right. Offically, INS has not reinstated the I-68 program, which is still suspended. It is know that the fees will stay the same, but the forms and procedures will change considerably. Word is that the program will start up again soon, but not yet. As soon as it becomes official, I will post the info here along with the new procedures.
The Canadian paper doesn't have it quite right. Offically, INS has not reinstated the I-68 program, which is still suspended. It is know that the fees will stay the same, but the forms and procedures will change considerably. Word is that the program will start up again soon, but not yet. As soon as it becomes official, I will post the info here along with the new procedures.
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Ken Palmer
INS letter
The following information was copied from the Lake Ontario Forum of Sailnet: (Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty) ---------------------------------------------- Today, I received a NEWS RELEASE from the United States Immigration & Naturalization Service. I have copied it for this email. The letterhead and seal unfortunately does not copy - I guess because there are graphics involved. However, here is the info verbatim. I hope this will assist in clarifying the issue. However a couple of questions remain unanswered. Such as, "if you go directly to the videophone, does this eliminate the need for the fingerprint/s"? I will attempt to get an answer to that one!!! Well, here it is. It looks as if it is pretty much business as usual with the exception of the addition of your photo and fingerprint/s. Diann April 9, 2002 I-68 Canadian Border Boat Landing Program To Resume WASHINGTON – The Immigration & Naturalization Service’s (INS) District Director, M. Frances Holmes has announced that the Canadian Border Boat Landing Program shall be resumed with additional security enhancements. The INS suspended the Canadian Border Boat Landing Program after the terrorist attacks of September 11. Due to enhanced security measures along our borders, both the Canadian Border Boat Landing Permits (Form I-68) and the Outlying Area Reporting Stations (OARS) programs have been modified for the 2002 boating season. Only the current Form I-68, revised January 31, 2002, will be accepted this season. The Form I-68 will not be renewable by mail. Each applicant must appear in person for inspection, interview, and a name query against the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS). The names and dates of birth of children under 14 years of age must be listed on one or both parents’ Form I-68. If approved, a three-part Form I-68 will be issued to each applicant age 14 years and older. Each part of Form I-68 will bear the photograph and fingerprint of the applicant. The fees for both individuals and families will remain the same. Under the Form I-68 program, applicants for admission into the United States by small pleasure boats are inspected and issued a single boating permit for the entire boating season. This permit enables them to enter the United States from Canada for recreational purposes without the need to report to INS for further inspection. United States citizens or lawful permanent residents and Canadian citizens or landed immigrants of Canada are eligible to apply for Form I-68. For those who are not United States Citizens (USCs) or lawful permanent residents of the United States, Form I-68 authorizes admission within the immediate shore area of the United States for no more than 72 hours at a time. Boaters not in possession of a valid Form I-68 must either report in person for inspection at a port-of-entry or utilize one of the 33 OARS videophone stations each time they apply for admission to the United States. Under the OARS program, videophones installed at public marinas along the Canadian border provide an automated inspection service enabling two-way visual and audio communication between the inspector and the applicant for admission. Any non-USC who does not comply with these procedures will be subject to adverse actions under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. In the Buffalo District, OARS videophones are installed at the following marinas; Buffalo District Videophone Locations Waddington Public town dock Ogdensburg Edwin Dobisky Recreation Building City Marina Morristown Public town dock Thousand Islands Front public dock (facing channel) Sackets Harbor Navy Point Marina Oswego Oswego Marina Olcott Public Dock Building Wilson Tuscarora State Park Youngstown Youngstown Yacht Club Lewiston Near the Riverside Inn North Tonawanda Pinochle Park Clayton Front Public Dock (facing channel) Buffalo Erie Basin Marina Further information on the northern border small boat inspections program may be obtained from the INS internet site located at www.ins.gov or by calling a local port-of-entry. – INS –
The following information was copied from the Lake Ontario Forum of Sailnet: (Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty) ---------------------------------------------- Today, I received a NEWS RELEASE from the United States Immigration & Naturalization Service. I have copied it for this email. The letterhead and seal unfortunately does not copy - I guess because there are graphics involved. However, here is the info verbatim. I hope this will assist in clarifying the issue. However a couple of questions remain unanswered. Such as, "if you go directly to the videophone, does this eliminate the need for the fingerprint/s"? I will attempt to get an answer to that one!!! Well, here it is. It looks as if it is pretty much business as usual with the exception of the addition of your photo and fingerprint/s. Diann April 9, 2002 I-68 Canadian Border Boat Landing Program To Resume WASHINGTON – The Immigration & Naturalization Service’s (INS) District Director, M. Frances Holmes has announced that the Canadian Border Boat Landing Program shall be resumed with additional security enhancements. The INS suspended the Canadian Border Boat Landing Program after the terrorist attacks of September 11. Due to enhanced security measures along our borders, both the Canadian Border Boat Landing Permits (Form I-68) and the Outlying Area Reporting Stations (OARS) programs have been modified for the 2002 boating season. Only the current Form I-68, revised January 31, 2002, will be accepted this season. The Form I-68 will not be renewable by mail. Each applicant must appear in person for inspection, interview, and a name query against the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS). The names and dates of birth of children under 14 years of age must be listed on one or both parents’ Form I-68. If approved, a three-part Form I-68 will be issued to each applicant age 14 years and older. Each part of Form I-68 will bear the photograph and fingerprint of the applicant. The fees for both individuals and families will remain the same. Under the Form I-68 program, applicants for admission into the United States by small pleasure boats are inspected and issued a single boating permit for the entire boating season. This permit enables them to enter the United States from Canada for recreational purposes without the need to report to INS for further inspection. United States citizens or lawful permanent residents and Canadian citizens or landed immigrants of Canada are eligible to apply for Form I-68. For those who are not United States Citizens (USCs) or lawful permanent residents of the United States, Form I-68 authorizes admission within the immediate shore area of the United States for no more than 72 hours at a time. Boaters not in possession of a valid Form I-68 must either report in person for inspection at a port-of-entry or utilize one of the 33 OARS videophone stations each time they apply for admission to the United States. Under the OARS program, videophones installed at public marinas along the Canadian border provide an automated inspection service enabling two-way visual and audio communication between the inspector and the applicant for admission. Any non-USC who does not comply with these procedures will be subject to adverse actions under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. In the Buffalo District, OARS videophones are installed at the following marinas; Buffalo District Videophone Locations Waddington Public town dock Ogdensburg Edwin Dobisky Recreation Building City Marina Morristown Public town dock Thousand Islands Front public dock (facing channel) Sackets Harbor Navy Point Marina Oswego Oswego Marina Olcott Public Dock Building Wilson Tuscarora State Park Youngstown Youngstown Yacht Club Lewiston Near the Riverside Inn North Tonawanda Pinochle Park Clayton Front Public Dock (facing channel) Buffalo Erie Basin Marina Further information on the northern border small boat inspections program may be obtained from the INS internet site located at www.ins.gov or by calling a local port-of-entry. – INS –
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Michael O'
Fingerprint Info 4.15.02
Boaters facing tighter security 04/15/02 Molly Kavanaugh/Plain Dealer Reporter People traveling on recreational boats to Canadian ports, even for a day, face stricter immigration requirements because of increased concerns about national security. The government now requires boaters 14 and older to be fingerprinted and to submit three identical photographs annually at one of three offices along Lake Erie.In the past, they could apply for the permit once and renew the form by mail. The change could affect thousands of boaters like Bill Bechstein of Sandusky. He is not happy about it. "What is it going to accomplish? I will definitely go get one - it's the right thing to do," said Bechstein, who visits Pelee Island and Leamington, Ontario, every summer. "[But] if they're doing it for security reasons, I think they're just kidding themselves." The program is currently known as the Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit program, or Form I-68. It began in 1963 in Minnesota to facilitate boating and fishing in boundary waters. The program expanded nationally, and a fee was attached in 1995. "The program is really designed to accommodate legitimate boaters," said Frank Pangas, area port director with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service office in Cleveland. Under the changes, the form will still be valid for one year, and the annual cost, $16 per individual or $32 per family, has not changed. Boaters who do not wish to apply for an I-68 still can report in at one of the eight 24-hour videophone stations in the Cleveland area each time they return from Canada. Those sites are: Ashtabula City Public Dock; Fairport Harbor, Grand River Marina; Mentor Lagoons Marina; Chagrin River Yacht Club in Eastlake; East 55th Street Marina in Cleveland; Cedar Point Marina in Sandusky; Brand's Drydock Marina in Port Clinton; and Put-in-Bay dockmaster's office on South Bass Island. Terry Jackson, manager of Leamington Municipal Marina, said 8,000 to 10,000 Ohio guests visit the marina every year. When the I-68 program first began, Jackson was worried that it would start to keep U.S. boaters away. Those worries were unfounded. He's not sure what to make of the new requirements. "I don't think it will hurt us, but if [INS] got real bad with this, it could be major problems for us," Jackson said. Letters about the changes are being mailed to the 2,000 boaters currently listed with Cleveland's INS office as having an I-68 form. Pangas said that, based on his conversations with boaters at the Cleveland boat show in January, he suspects many visit Canada without the form. U.S. boaters who fail to comply do not face a penalty per se, but they may be inconvenienced by having to produce documents, said INS spokeswoman Kimberly Weissman. Border patrol inspections and enforcement will be enhanced this year, Weissman said. Contact Molly Kavanaugh at: mkavanaugh@plaind.com, 800-767-2821 © 2002 The Plain Dealer. Used with permission
Boaters facing tighter security 04/15/02 Molly Kavanaugh/Plain Dealer Reporter People traveling on recreational boats to Canadian ports, even for a day, face stricter immigration requirements because of increased concerns about national security. The government now requires boaters 14 and older to be fingerprinted and to submit three identical photographs annually at one of three offices along Lake Erie.In the past, they could apply for the permit once and renew the form by mail. The change could affect thousands of boaters like Bill Bechstein of Sandusky. He is not happy about it. "What is it going to accomplish? I will definitely go get one - it's the right thing to do," said Bechstein, who visits Pelee Island and Leamington, Ontario, every summer. "[But] if they're doing it for security reasons, I think they're just kidding themselves." The program is currently known as the Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit program, or Form I-68. It began in 1963 in Minnesota to facilitate boating and fishing in boundary waters. The program expanded nationally, and a fee was attached in 1995. "The program is really designed to accommodate legitimate boaters," said Frank Pangas, area port director with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service office in Cleveland. Under the changes, the form will still be valid for one year, and the annual cost, $16 per individual or $32 per family, has not changed. Boaters who do not wish to apply for an I-68 still can report in at one of the eight 24-hour videophone stations in the Cleveland area each time they return from Canada. Those sites are: Ashtabula City Public Dock; Fairport Harbor, Grand River Marina; Mentor Lagoons Marina; Chagrin River Yacht Club in Eastlake; East 55th Street Marina in Cleveland; Cedar Point Marina in Sandusky; Brand's Drydock Marina in Port Clinton; and Put-in-Bay dockmaster's office on South Bass Island. Terry Jackson, manager of Leamington Municipal Marina, said 8,000 to 10,000 Ohio guests visit the marina every year. When the I-68 program first began, Jackson was worried that it would start to keep U.S. boaters away. Those worries were unfounded. He's not sure what to make of the new requirements. "I don't think it will hurt us, but if [INS] got real bad with this, it could be major problems for us," Jackson said. Letters about the changes are being mailed to the 2,000 boaters currently listed with Cleveland's INS office as having an I-68 form. Pangas said that, based on his conversations with boaters at the Cleveland boat show in January, he suspects many visit Canada without the form. U.S. boaters who fail to comply do not face a penalty per se, but they may be inconvenienced by having to produce documents, said INS spokeswoman Kimberly Weissman. Border patrol inspections and enforcement will be enhanced this year, Weissman said. Contact Molly Kavanaugh at: mkavanaugh@plaind.com, 800-767-2821 © 2002 The Plain Dealer. Used with permission
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Steve
Another update...
Even though the newpapers keep reporting that the I-68 program is up and running, in truth, it is not. The forms are established, but the rules pertaining to fingerprints and photos are yet to be determined by Washington for the local offices to follow. Until that time, and they provide the forms to the local offices, the program is alive but not functioning. I will keep all informed as soon as I hear something. Steve
Even though the newpapers keep reporting that the I-68 program is up and running, in truth, it is not. The forms are established, but the rules pertaining to fingerprints and photos are yet to be determined by Washington for the local offices to follow. Until that time, and they provide the forms to the local offices, the program is alive but not functioning. I will keep all informed as soon as I hear something. Steve
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Michael O'
INS News Release 4.9.02
April 9, 2002 I-68 Canadian Border Boat Landing Program To Resume WASHINGTON – The Immigration & Naturalization Service’s (INS) has announced that the Canadian Border Boat Landing Program shall be resumed with additional security enhancements. The INS suspended the Canadian Border Boat Landing Program after the terrorist attacks of September 11. Due to enhanced security measures along our borders, both the Canadian Border Boat Landing Permits (Form I-68) and the Outlying Area Reporting Stations (OARS) programs have been modified for the 2002 boating season. Only the current Form I-68, revised January 31, 2002, will be accepted this season. The Form I-68 will not be renewable by mail. Each applicant must appear in person for inspection, interview, and a name query against the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS). The names and dates of birth of children less than 14 years of age must be listed on one or both parents’ Form I-68. If approved, a three-part Form I-68 will be issued to each applicant age 14 years and older. Each part of Form I-68 will bear the photograph and fingerprint of the applicant. The fees for both individuals and families will remain the same. Under the Form I-68 program, applicants for admission into the United States by small pleasure boats are inspected and issued a single boating permit for the entire boating season. This permit enables them to enter the United States from Canada for recreational purposes without the need to report to INS for further inspection. United States citizens or lawful permanent residents and Canadian citizens or landed immigrants of Canada are eligible to apply for Form I-68. For those who are not United States Citizens (USCs) or lawful permanent residents of the United States, Form I-68 authorizes admission within the immediate shore area of the United States for no more than 72 hours at a time. Boaters not in possession of a valid Form I-68 must either report in person for inspection at a port-of-entry or utilize one of the 33 OARS videophone stations each time they apply for admission to the United States. Under the OARS program, videophones installed at public marinas along the Canadian border provide an automated inspection service enabling two-way visual and audio communication between the inspector and the applicant for admission. Any non-USC who does not comply with these procedures will be subject to adverse actions under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Further information on the northern border small boat inspections program may be obtained from the INS Internet site located at http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/lawenfor/bmgmt/inspect/oars.htm or by calling a local port-of-entry
April 9, 2002 I-68 Canadian Border Boat Landing Program To Resume WASHINGTON – The Immigration & Naturalization Service’s (INS) has announced that the Canadian Border Boat Landing Program shall be resumed with additional security enhancements. The INS suspended the Canadian Border Boat Landing Program after the terrorist attacks of September 11. Due to enhanced security measures along our borders, both the Canadian Border Boat Landing Permits (Form I-68) and the Outlying Area Reporting Stations (OARS) programs have been modified for the 2002 boating season. Only the current Form I-68, revised January 31, 2002, will be accepted this season. The Form I-68 will not be renewable by mail. Each applicant must appear in person for inspection, interview, and a name query against the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS). The names and dates of birth of children less than 14 years of age must be listed on one or both parents’ Form I-68. If approved, a three-part Form I-68 will be issued to each applicant age 14 years and older. Each part of Form I-68 will bear the photograph and fingerprint of the applicant. The fees for both individuals and families will remain the same. Under the Form I-68 program, applicants for admission into the United States by small pleasure boats are inspected and issued a single boating permit for the entire boating season. This permit enables them to enter the United States from Canada for recreational purposes without the need to report to INS for further inspection. United States citizens or lawful permanent residents and Canadian citizens or landed immigrants of Canada are eligible to apply for Form I-68. For those who are not United States Citizens (USCs) or lawful permanent residents of the United States, Form I-68 authorizes admission within the immediate shore area of the United States for no more than 72 hours at a time. Boaters not in possession of a valid Form I-68 must either report in person for inspection at a port-of-entry or utilize one of the 33 OARS videophone stations each time they apply for admission to the United States. Under the OARS program, videophones installed at public marinas along the Canadian border provide an automated inspection service enabling two-way visual and audio communication between the inspector and the applicant for admission. Any non-USC who does not comply with these procedures will be subject to adverse actions under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Further information on the northern border small boat inspections program may be obtained from the INS Internet site located at http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/lawenfor/bmgmt/inspect/oars.htm or by calling a local port-of-entry
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Steve
Washington VS local port-of-entry
Once again, political annoucments of the program in operation at the local level are a little premature. In my area, the local port was provided less than 2 dozen forms (over 2000 were issued last year prior to 9/11). The photo and finger print questions have been answered, but without forms, it is kind of tough to issue them. I am told that specific information on a local level will be available by late this week or early next week. When available, I will post it here. Steve
Once again, political annoucments of the program in operation at the local level are a little premature. In my area, the local port was provided less than 2 dozen forms (over 2000 were issued last year prior to 9/11). The photo and finger print questions have been answered, but without forms, it is kind of tough to issue them. I am told that specific information on a local level will be available by late this week or early next week. When available, I will post it here. Steve
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Steve
Final Update
I have been informed this afternoon by my local contact at my local port (my wife, the port director), that they have been provided with more forms. The specifications for the photos are as follows: l inch x 1 inch color photo frontal view. You will need three nearly identical photos. Show up with proof of citizenship (passport, or birth certificate with photo ID), $16 per person, and your 3 photos. It would be good to call the local port of entry first to make sure they have the manpower available at the time you want to visit, and they have all the materials they need. Remember, the I-68 will take care of the immigration portion of the law. If your boat is 30' or longer, you will also need to obtain the Customs decal. Good luck and safe boating. Steve
I have been informed this afternoon by my local contact at my local port (my wife, the port director), that they have been provided with more forms. The specifications for the photos are as follows: l inch x 1 inch color photo frontal view. You will need three nearly identical photos. Show up with proof of citizenship (passport, or birth certificate with photo ID), $16 per person, and your 3 photos. It would be good to call the local port of entry first to make sure they have the manpower available at the time you want to visit, and they have all the materials they need. Remember, the I-68 will take care of the immigration portion of the law. If your boat is 30' or longer, you will also need to obtain the Customs decal. Good luck and safe boating. Steve
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Ken Palmer
Steve, please ask your wife...
I couldn't pass that one up. You could have told us earlier that she is the Port Director. Anyway, does she have any information on any changes for Americans visiting Canada? Thanks, Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
I couldn't pass that one up. You could have told us earlier that she is the Port Director. Anyway, does she have any information on any changes for Americans visiting Canada? Thanks, Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
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Steve
US Immigration
Ken, She is US Immigration, not Canadian. From what I understand, the Canadian Immigration & Customs is the same as last year. Call the single 800 number for check-in, and they give you a number to put in your log book (or tell you to come to a port of entry, or tell you to stay on the boat and they come down. I guess they could also tell you to go away.) The Canadian's have a much better system than the US, which by law requires a face-to-face with immigration AND a customs inspection and declaration. Customs and Immigration officers can perform each other's duty on a land border crossing, but for boats it requires the I-68 for immigration and a call to Customs (and a decal for $30 if your boat is 30' or greater.) The video screens work on Lake Erie for immigration, but it is up to the local port-of-entry if they will do the Customs at the same time. I guess it depends on the working relationship of the two agencies at the port. Although nothing official being said around here, there will most likely be more enforcement on the water this year. Look for more Border Patrol, Marine Sheriff, local police, and Coast Guard activity and inspections that will most likely include asking for I-68's. Also a guess strickly on my part: Look for the price of the I-68's to go up at some point because of the increase in workload to issue them at the local ports. Another mandate by Congress, everything must pay for itself. I have heard that the Coast Guard will be putting out an 800 number to call if any boater or those along shore see something out of the ordinary. More eyes...more enforcement. It should be a fun season, I hope the weather cooperates. Happy boating. Steve
Ken, She is US Immigration, not Canadian. From what I understand, the Canadian Immigration & Customs is the same as last year. Call the single 800 number for check-in, and they give you a number to put in your log book (or tell you to come to a port of entry, or tell you to stay on the boat and they come down. I guess they could also tell you to go away.) The Canadian's have a much better system than the US, which by law requires a face-to-face with immigration AND a customs inspection and declaration. Customs and Immigration officers can perform each other's duty on a land border crossing, but for boats it requires the I-68 for immigration and a call to Customs (and a decal for $30 if your boat is 30' or greater.) The video screens work on Lake Erie for immigration, but it is up to the local port-of-entry if they will do the Customs at the same time. I guess it depends on the working relationship of the two agencies at the port. Although nothing official being said around here, there will most likely be more enforcement on the water this year. Look for more Border Patrol, Marine Sheriff, local police, and Coast Guard activity and inspections that will most likely include asking for I-68's. Also a guess strickly on my part: Look for the price of the I-68's to go up at some point because of the increase in workload to issue them at the local ports. Another mandate by Congress, everything must pay for itself. I have heard that the Coast Guard will be putting out an 800 number to call if any boater or those along shore see something out of the ordinary. More eyes...more enforcement. It should be a fun season, I hope the weather cooperates. Happy boating. Steve
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Ken Palmer
Happy boating...SURE
We really make it tough. The INS website states that if you are not a US citizen or lawful residents of the United Staes, Form I-68 authorizes admission within the immediate shore area of the US for no more than 72 hours at a time. (WOW, THREE WHOLE DAYS!) Now, I am a US citizen, and have never purchased a Form I-68. When returning from Canada by boat, I have always called the 800 number from the phone at our marina to be checked in. This is no videophone, and I have never had a problem. The INS web page says that boaters not in pocession of a valid Form I-68 must either report in person for inspection at a port-of-entry or utilize on of the 33 OARS videophones each time they apply for admission to the US. I believe the closest OARS to Rochester is located in Wilson, a 1-day sail from here. The CG Chief here indicated that most boaters don't even bother checking in. I wonder why. I know that September 11 is the reason given for these tough rules, but most of these rules have been in place before 9-11. All that I can say is that I enjoy sailing to Canada and back for my summer vacation, and now I wonder if I will ever go again. Have a nice stay in Canada, the United States, or whatever. Go to the site linked below for rules on boarder crossing written in easy to understand English
We really make it tough. The INS website states that if you are not a US citizen or lawful residents of the United Staes, Form I-68 authorizes admission within the immediate shore area of the US for no more than 72 hours at a time. (WOW, THREE WHOLE DAYS!) Now, I am a US citizen, and have never purchased a Form I-68. When returning from Canada by boat, I have always called the 800 number from the phone at our marina to be checked in. This is no videophone, and I have never had a problem. The INS web page says that boaters not in pocession of a valid Form I-68 must either report in person for inspection at a port-of-entry or utilize on of the 33 OARS videophones each time they apply for admission to the US. I believe the closest OARS to Rochester is located in Wilson, a 1-day sail from here. The CG Chief here indicated that most boaters don't even bother checking in. I wonder why. I know that September 11 is the reason given for these tough rules, but most of these rules have been in place before 9-11. All that I can say is that I enjoy sailing to Canada and back for my summer vacation, and now I wonder if I will ever go again. Have a nice stay in Canada, the United States, or whatever. Go to the site linked below for rules on boarder crossing written in easy to understand English
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Steve
Location, Location, Location
Ken, When we leave the Black River and head into the St. Clair River, we enter Canadian waters here. No choice if you want to get to Lake Huron. The catch is that you don't have to land in Cananda to need the I-68, just enter their waters. The burdon of proof is on the boater to prove that they did not enter those waters. And guess what: You cannot prove that you didn't. The penalties can be rather stiff, but they haven't enforced them in the past. Are they going to in the future? Who knows? We will get our I-68s and comply just because it isn't worth the hassle of not having them. I guess it comes down to choice and how lucky you feel, or how fast you can talk. As far as the three days for a non-resident, that is part of the program. I don't think it would be too big of a problem to plan a little ahead and present yourself for inspection at a port sometime in that 3 days to be able to extend the stay. I splash in 10 days, and I do hope to have some happy boating. I hope you do the same. Steve
Ken, When we leave the Black River and head into the St. Clair River, we enter Canadian waters here. No choice if you want to get to Lake Huron. The catch is that you don't have to land in Cananda to need the I-68, just enter their waters. The burdon of proof is on the boater to prove that they did not enter those waters. And guess what: You cannot prove that you didn't. The penalties can be rather stiff, but they haven't enforced them in the past. Are they going to in the future? Who knows? We will get our I-68s and comply just because it isn't worth the hassle of not having them. I guess it comes down to choice and how lucky you feel, or how fast you can talk. As far as the three days for a non-resident, that is part of the program. I don't think it would be too big of a problem to plan a little ahead and present yourself for inspection at a port sometime in that 3 days to be able to extend the stay. I splash in 10 days, and I do hope to have some happy boating. I hope you do the same. Steve
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Ken Palmer
I have this soap box thing
Whenever I hear or read about something that doesn't make sense, I dwell on it. I can't tell you how many letters I have written to the editor of the Rochester D&C about the New York State budget being late for 18 years. We keep voting for the same legislators though. We also have a proposed fast ferry going into Rochester that will travel between Rochester and Toronto. It has been in the process of gathering funds for a couple years now, and they are still trying to get money out of the government. This time it's the Canadian government, and Ontario doesn't seem to want to move on it. See what I mean? I just get going and start editorializing. I DO plan on having a happy boating season this year. I hope you do the same. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty Visit my website at the link below.
Whenever I hear or read about something that doesn't make sense, I dwell on it. I can't tell you how many letters I have written to the editor of the Rochester D&C about the New York State budget being late for 18 years. We keep voting for the same legislators though. We also have a proposed fast ferry going into Rochester that will travel between Rochester and Toronto. It has been in the process of gathering funds for a couple years now, and they are still trying to get money out of the government. This time it's the Canadian government, and Ontario doesn't seem to want to move on it. See what I mean? I just get going and start editorializing. I DO plan on having a happy boating season this year. I hope you do the same. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty Visit my website at the link below.
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