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dropanchorfor3 · 20-06-2011, 18:07

I have a question, my gf and I were in Miami today and stopped by a Miami harbor. We saw the CBP show up with border patrol. It seems if you sail to lets say the Bahamas you have to tell them when your going and when your coming back, Is this really true.
If so what happens if you go, and you don't checking with them, how are they or is anyone to know you are going to sail out of the country. This sounds serious.

pillum · 20-06-2011, 18:12

What does CBP stand for?

dropanchorfor3 · 20-06-2011, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by pillum

What does CBP stand for?

I don't know, but they cary guns and a badge.

Ziggy · 20-06-2011, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by pillum

What does CBP stand for?

Customs and Border Protection, I believe

dropanchorfor3 · 20-06-2011, 18:22

What are they doing on boat docks?

missnmountains · 20-06-2011, 18:22

Customs and Border Patrol. Yes you need to check in upon returning from the Bahamas. It is very easy if you get a Local Boater Option Card. The LBO card allows you to call an 800 number to check in without going through a immigrations office.

Ken

dropanchorfor3 · 20-06-2011, 18:27

How would they know thow...

starfishy · 20-06-2011, 18:45

We went to the Bahamas in March via a private sailboat out of Miami-Biscayne Bay. You are not required to tell anyone you are leaving the country. You check in when you get to the Bahamas. You are required to check in when you return to the US. There is however not a Customs and Border Patrol Boat (CBP) waiting at every port or anything like that, you have to call in or go see them in person depending on whether you have the local boater option or not. We definitely had to seek them out.

starfishy · 20-06-2011, 19:04

We also know of people who have not checked back into the US when they have come home. I wouldn't recommend that as the fines and hassle for getting caught are STEEP but we are aware of a few people who have done it.

dropanchorfor3 · 20-06-2011, 19:33

How do they know you are there even if you anchor out and never leave for land.

starfishy · 20-06-2011, 19:56

How does who know you are there, CBP or the Bahamas? CBP doesn't know you are in the Bahamas unless you tell them you are. They could stop you when you are still in US waters or returning to US waters but compared to the number of boats coming back and forth they are not going to stop everyone.

I don't think CBP really cares all that much about pleasure crafts coming and going, they are looking for boats that are smuggling people or drugs into the US.

osirissail · 20-06-2011, 20:00

Directly to your question - they don't know - unless -> you call attention to yourself by either bragging about it or doing something that catches their attention - or you have an emergency somewhere along the journey that requires assistance.
- - Then there is the chance that you will be stopped and boarded for a "courtesy inspection" on your way back. All of this is entered into the "massive computer files" CBP and DHS use.
- - The penalties are rather harsh if you are caught which is the biggest incentive to "play by the rules."
- - Getting a Local Boaters Option is not all that difficult and eliminates a lot of the hassles.

Sailor g · 20-06-2011, 20:00

We have the same thing in California. Los Coronados Islands are 15-20 miles (depending on which island) & just over the Mexican border but we are required to check in-EVEN if not touching land -when returning ( a hassle for fishing near there). I know people don't but it would be big trouble to skip it. We don't have an LBO to reduce the hassle. I did go there with a local dive operator & didn't go thru Customs-how do they avoid the rules!?