Mexican Bureaucracy.....

Delezynski · Feb 9, 2014

koolfrog,

Our experience is not all that recent. we spent about 5 years in Mexico. I can say without a doubt, it was GREAT in the Sea of Cortez!

And ask, why would you not have all of the items you asked about?

They are ALL simple and for the most part low cost.

Greg

caguy · Feb 9, 2014

koolfrog said:
An article in last week "THE LOG" , published in SoCal got me a little worried , since I had plan to go cruising down there in the near future ; it states that the followings are required for any vessels entering mexican waters :
Mexican VISA
Temporary Vessel import Permit
Mandatory fishing license
Proof of Insurance
International Ship Radio License
Individual Radio operator license

Would anyone with recent personal experience confirm that all that *&%#@ is really required ?

Thanks in advance ,

Do you have a link to that article? I couldn't find it in The Log online.

atpjim · Feb 9, 2014

Latest from Mexico

There has been a huge issue in Mexico lately about foreign owned boats.
For all the latest news check out Latitude 38. The publishers boat was impounded and he has first hand experience with the current situation.
He loves Mexico and it's people but is less than thrilled with their government.
I would think if you are going there and are not willing to comply with all the B/S and have a smile on your face while doing it, don't go.

Delezynski · Feb 9, 2014

koolfrog said:
FCC License : $ 160 ( unnecessary in the U.S)
Cheap Insurance !!!!! Please , be kind enough to let me know where you can purchase Insurance Coverage , south of Ensenada at " low cost"

Thanks in advance

True, the HAM reciprocal was about the most objectionable fee. :cry: BUT, you NEED one in EVERY foreign country you use your HAM radio in!

For insurance, contact DeAnne at Rowcliffe's Insurance 619-698-1849.
I have no connection to them other than a good service I received on not only our boat, but also a car and all done by internet/email.

Mexico is NOT a fee for all or the old west. It's another country. And as was said, if you don't want to abide by there laws, don't go, or accept the consequences. As the captain of your own boat, YOU are responsible.

Greg

Old Skool Neil · Feb 9, 2014

Further, in the recent developments in some cases it didn't matter if all the required paperwork was in order. Boats were impounded for months anyway.

Here are a couple of threads on the topic with links to latitude 38 articles and comments from members who are actually there.

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=159072
and
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=159578

justsomeguy · Feb 9, 2014

koolfrog said:
An article in last week "THE LOG" , published in SoCal got me a little worried , since I had plan to go cruising down there in the near future ; it states that the followings are required for any vessels entering mexican waters :
Mexican VISA
Temporary Vessel import Permit
Mandatory fishing license
Proof of Insurance
International Ship Radio License
Individual Radio operator license

Would anyone with recent personal experience confirm that all that *&%#@ is really required ?

Thanks in advance ,

I wonder what is required of foreign-flagged cruisers entering US ports?

Rick D · Feb 9, 2014

You Need Them for Mexico

This is what I learned from my trips, but with a new administration, things are changing, so don't rely on this. Rather, do some research before you go. BTW, it sounds much worse than it is.

Mexican VISA Sure. You can get it in Ensenada. Easy. Hotel Coral & Marina will act as an agent (for a fee) and provide transportation and assistance; highly recommended. May be available on line now. About $25

Temporary Vessel import Permit This is supposed to be available on-line now or you can get it in Ensenada. Good for ten years; about $50. You definitely need it.

Mandatory fishing license This is only required of each person if you have any fishing hardware aboard. Generally recommended. I have none and don't get them. $42 for an annual license. Was available on line, but the site went down. Maybe back up now. Available in Ensenada.

Proof of Insurance This is kinda complicated. I have never purchased insurance specifically for Mexico, rather relying upon my BUS policy which provided adequate coverage. It was accepted for entry. However, Mexico does technically require a policy through a Mexican-domiciled insurance company. Usually, they are liability-only and require an underlying insurance policy from a specialty yacht carrier. You can get one on line. I got one last year since I was spending a month there and wanted to be proper.

International Ship Radio License Yes. Get one from the FCC. Required in foreign waters. I think it's good for ten years.

Individual Radio operator license Ditto.

Don't forget to have fun!

Stu Jackson · Feb 9, 2014

The "conclusions" from both Latitude 38 and those "in the know" who are in Mexico is that the Mexican website for a TIP simply doesn't work, in many cases because the boat type options don't include most types of boats!!! How helpful is that?!? Recommendations are to get them when you arrive rather than trying to get them before you go online.

Picflight · Feb 9, 2014

When enough people stop catering to these b/s requirements, the bureaucracy MIGHT get the message. Go to Thailand, where tourists are welcomed

Just my 2 cents.

RECESS · Feb 9, 2014

Latitude also reported that a new law was passed that will require all recreational boaters to have a captain's license. They said it probably won't be enforced by many port officials, but that does leave you in limbo depending on the if it is a law and you do not possess a captain's license.

capta · Feb 9, 2014

What a bunch of whiners and cry babies

.
I remember when going to Mexico on a nice boat was a pretty risky thing. If some relative of a local official fancied your boat, your boat would be impounded in a heart beat and sailing with her new "owner" the very next day while you sat on your suitcase on the dock, and tried to figure out how you were going to get home.
The US Consulate was pretty helpful with a "Well, you must have done something wrong for them to impound your boat."
Ah, now those were the good old days......
Just sayin'

Rick D · Feb 9, 2014

Wait A Bit...

koolfrog said:
What is a captain license ? How do you obtain one ?

...my understanding is that this was intended for commercial operators & charter boats but, like in the USA, sometimes those are not properly delineated in the reg's. I personally believe this is a stretch and will go away pretty quickly. I think it was just unearthed after people started doing a more thorough review of Mexican maritime regulations and had not been enforced as to pleasure vessels. I am not considering getting one for my trip this year. Of course, that's easy for me to say :naughty:

Delezynski · Feb 9, 2014

koolfrog said:
I do not want to be misunderstood !!!! I am a responsible captain and a law abiding citizen !
However , as French born and used to the overbearing bureaucracy of this country , I just want to make sure that , although I can cruise legally all over the Marquesas and the Society island , without , as far as I know , any requirement for insurance , or a license to operate my VHF , or a cruising permit , I still need to acquire all this paraphernalia , just for a month long stopover in Mexico !

IF, you are sure you are only going to stay a month or so, insurance can be pro-rated. You DO need radio license any other place you go. If you do not have the international radio (from the FCC, NOT Boat US) you are NOT legal.

ALL foreign countries REQUIRE a visa! For Mexico, it's a few dollars and can be done at the border (or Ensenada).Try China!!! It took 2 weeks and over $200.00 to get ours. :cry:

As to cruising permit, NONE is required in Mexico. You do need a TIP (Temporary Import Permit). They just want to make sure you are not selling the boat there,and at $50 or what ever, that is cheep! Try the Bahamas, you do need a cruising permit at $200.00 A YEAR.

Also, if you are not staying in Mexico for more than a couple of months, just don't use the transmit on your HAM or SSB until you are in international waters.

When we stopped in Ensenada, there was a one-stop office, we went in there and got it ALL (except our HAM rec.) taken care of in an hour or so.It's was close to a GREAT pizza place..

Greg

Sandy Stone · Feb 10, 2014

Delezynski said:
ALL foreign countries REQUIRE a visa!

Um, we have traveled through several countries in Europe (unfortunately, not by sailboat) and I don't remember anybody asking about a visa.

woodster · Feb 10, 2014

when i went to Australia i flew united an they said i needed a visa but they handled that for me it was a 90 day visa iirc i think a vise is like a permission slip that goes along with you passport.....but all i cared about was getting there and seeing that country it was a great trip and was the only thing that i had on my bucket list at the time lol...

regards

woody

Captn TJ · Feb 10, 2014

Sandy Stone said:
Um, we have traveled through several countries in Europe (unfortunately, not by sailboat) and I don't remember anybody asking about a visa.

That is correct for Europe. Visa's can be as simple as Australia or as complex as Russia. A lot depends on your country of citizenship