Crew Available: Desperate to get to Cuba!

[billpeerson]

65 year young gentleman.
Last June my boat was commandeered to Cuba on my way to Costa Rica during the pandemic. I was forced to leave the boat in Cuba as I was not permitted to leave the boat to make repairs. I was told by the Cuban gov't that they would keep the boat should I not return before January 31. I had a flight booked to Cuba for 3 Jan, which was cancelled. Next flight available...Feb! I would be thoroughly indebted to whomever that would take me on as crew to anywhere in Cuba to save my boat.
Bill
SV Dancin' Lions

[Hardhead]

I hope you find someone - that's really terrible.

[Montanan]

With the pandemic, international travel is difficult. And due to political reasons even more difficult & illegal for Americans.

Interjet, Aeromexico and Copa Airlines have been the primary airlines when flying from Mexico to Cuba.

Flights are / were from Cancun, Mexico City and Monterey.

Snipped from https://salud.msp.gob.cu/nuevas-medi...ternacionales/

The arrival of international travelers has generated an increase in imported cases of COVID-19 and their contacts with other people, representing 71.5% of the total cases detected in recent weeks; The vast majority are associated with Cuban citizens from the United States, Mexico, Panama, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas, among others.

Taking into account these elements, the current national, regional and international epidemiological situation and the need to take a group of measures that make it possible to reduce COVID-19 cases in the country, it has been decided to reduce the entry of travelers from the United States , Mexico, Panama, Bahamas, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as of January 1, 2021, for which the Cuban Civil Aviation authorities readjust the necessary details with the airlines. As soon as the epidemiological situation allows, the frequency of flights will be gradually restored.

In turn, and as has already been reported, it has been decided to establish as a mandatory requirement for entry to our country of all international travelers, the performance of a PCR test with a negative result for COVID-19, 72 hours in advance of started the trip. This measure will take effect from January 10, 2021.

Upon arrival in Cuba, the currently established health protocols will continue to be implemented; which include carrying out a new PCR test at the border and, in the case of international travelers who do not arrive as tourists, another PCR test five days after their arrival.

Accommodation capacities will be ensured for Cuban travelers residing in the country, who do not have conditions in their home or in that of their relatives to comply with home isolation.

Likewise, the capacities for isolation in hotels destined for this purpose will be guaranteed for Cuban travelers residing abroad or others, who decide to carry out their isolation in these facilities, assuming the payment of this service.

As part of the confrontation with this Pandemic, and having as a fundamental premise the duty to guarantee the health of our population and of the international travelers who visit us, the Cuban Health authorities will continue to rigorously apply the established sanitary protocols, while maintaining a systematic and detailed monitoring of the incidence of imported cases in the transmission of the disease.


Also, On December 27, Cuba set a new daily record of 224 Covid cases.

Cuba is not only targeting travelers from the U.S. Cuba’s Ministry of Public Health said that the country would also reduce the number of flights from Mexico, Panana, Haiti, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. It remained unclear how many commercial flights on carriers such as American, Southwest and Delta would be affected. Cuban Civil Aeronautics officials were conferring this week with officials from the airlines about reductions, reported the state-run newspaper, Granma, but “as soon as the epidemiological situation allows it, the frequency of flights will be gradually restored.”

[billpeerson]

Thank you for that info. I will check out the Airlines you recommended.




Bill

[StuM]

Anyone considering this request is strongly advised to read these two threads:


https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ml#post3177817


https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ml#post3262074

[NaClyDog]

Originally Posted by StuM

Anyone considering this request is strongly advised to read these two threads:


https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ml#post3177817


https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ml#post3262074

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to bring that up! hahaha

[billpeerson]

stu m,

Do you not think that I expected this thread to come up? Can you read? I was on the receiving end. Now you must believe my story, as I am trying to return for my boat. Did you notice that I do not use a pseudonym as you do to hide my identity as you do?

Do you think a copy of my TWIC card would help?

[Aquadome]

Look into flights from Nassau Bahamas to Cuba. It's easy enough to get to the Bahamas.

[Pir8te]

Pre Covid. There were regular flights from Jamaica to Cuba

[friz]

I apologize if your tale is true and this sounds cruel but it does read a bit like Nigerian Prince emails we receive. I am to say the least, skeptical.

[Montanan]

Cuba is restricting travel from six countries from January 1, 2021 over COVID-19 fears. On the list are the United States, Mexico, Panama, the Bahamas, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Meaning it will be very hard to obtain a flight into the country. The Cuban government is not banning travel from those countries per se. Rather it is “restricting” travel from those countries.In addition to the Cuban government inhibiting the entry of persons so as to constrain Covid transmission. Commercial flights to Cuba only resumed in October. International flights to Cuba’s biggest airport, José Martí International Airport, only restated in November. Just weeks later, it may go quiet at Cuba’s airports once again. The Cuban government says it has a duty to look after the health of its citizens. From January 1, Cuba plans to limit the number of travelers from these six countries by reducing air links and frequencies to and from Cuba. But there are scant details on how the Cuban government will do this.

In conjunction with the restrictions on travelers from the six flagged countries, Cuba is increasing the monitoring of all arriving travelers in January. MINSAP says from January 10, all international arrivals will need evidence of a PCR test with a negative result for COVID-19. That test needs to be undertaken no more than 72 hours before traveling to Cuba.

Travelers will enjoy another PCR test upon arrival. Further, passengers who do not arrive as tourists need to undergo another PCR test five days after arriving.


As to your post above, a TWIC Card implies US citizenship, or permanent residency status and thus being subject to US jurisdiction.

Due realize there are USA restrictions as to travel to Cuba. Meaning essentially you are not allowed by the USA to go to Cuba to retrieve an asset such as a boat.

Travel to Cuba is regulated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Anyone located in the United States, regardless of citizenship and nationality, must comply with these regulations. Individuals seeking to travel to Cuba are not required to obtain licenses from OFAC if their travel is covered by a general license. If travel is not covered by a general license, you must seek OFAC authorization in the form of a specific license. Travelers who fail to comply with regulations may face penalties and criminal prosecution.

Temporary Sojourn License: Most aircraft and maritime vessels on temporary sojourn to Cuba are no longer eligible for an Aircraft, Vessels, and Spacecraft (AVS) License Exception. See 15 C.F.R. § 740.15. If you are planning to enter Cuba with a U.S. or foreign-registered aircraft or maritime vessel on temporary sojourn, you must meet the criteria set forth in 15 C.F.R. § 740.15.

In addition, a vessel of the United States, as defined in 33 C.F.R. §107.200, may not enter Cuban territorial waters without advance permission from the U.S. Coast Guard. The U.S. Coast Guard provides permission information at (305) 415-6920.

Major elements of the changes in the revised regulations include:
Ending Group People-to-People Travel
 In accordance with the newly announced changes to non-family travel to Cuba, OFAC is amending the regulations to remove the authorization for group people-to-people educational travel. OFAC’s regulatory changes include a “grandfathering” provision, which provides that certain group people-to-people educational travel that previously was authorized will continue to be authorized where the traveler had already completed at least one travel-related transaction (such as purchasing a flight or reserving accommodation) prior to June 5, 2019.
Please note that travel-related transactions continue to be permitted by general licenses for certain categories of travel and certain authorized export transactions.
For more on authorized travel to Cuba, please see below.

Ending Exports of Passenger Vessels, Recreational Vessels, and Private Aircraft
 Bureau of Industry and Security BIS, in coordination with Office of Foreign Asset Control OFAC, is amending the Export Administration Regulations EAR to make passenger and recreational vessels and private and corporate aircraft ineligible for a license exception and to establish a general policy of denial for license applications involving those vessels and aircraft.

§515.560 Travel-related transactions to, from, and within Cuba by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction.
(a) The travel-related transactions listed in paragraph (c) of this section may be authorized either by a general license or on a case-by-case basis by a specific license for travel related to the following activities (see the referenced sections for the applicable general and specific licensing criteria):

(1) Family visits (see §515.561);

(2) Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations (see §515.562);

(3) Journalistic activity (see §515.563);

(4) Professional research and professional meetings (see §515.564);

(5) Educational activities (see §515.565);

(6) Religious activities (see §515.566);

(7) Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions (see §515.567);

(8) Support for the Cuban people (see §515.574);

(9) Humanitarian projects (see §515.575);

(10) Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes (see §515.576);

(11) Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials (see §515.545); and

(12) Certain export transactions that may be considered for authorization under existing Department of Commerce regulations and guidelines with respect to Cuba or engaged in by U.S.-owned or -controlled foreign firms (see §§515.533 and 515.559).

(b) Effective October 28, 2000, no specific licenses will be issued authorizing the travel-related transactions in paragraph (c) of this section in connection with activities other than those referenced in paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, persons generally or specifically licensed under this part to engage in transactions in connection with travel to, from, and within Cuba may engage in the following transactions:

(1) Transportation to, from, and within Cuba; Cuban visas. All transportation-related transactions ordinarily incident to travel to, from, and within Cuba, including the acquisition of Cuban visas, are authorized.

(2) Living expenses in Cuba. All transactions ordinarily incident to travel within Cuba, including payment of living expenses and the acquisition in Cuba of goods for personal consumption there, are authorized.

(3) Importation of Cuban merchandise. The purchase or other acquisition in Cuba and importation as accompanied baggage into the United States of merchandise is authorized, provided that the merchandise is imported for personal use only. This paragraph does not apply to the importation into the United States of Cuban-origin alcohol or tobacco products. The importation of Cuban-origin information and informational materials is exempt from the prohibitions of this part, as described in §515.206. The importation of certain other specified goods and services is authorized in §§515.544, 515.547, 515.569, 515.578, 515.582, and 515.585.

(4) Carrying remittances to Cuba. The carrying to Cuba of any remittances that the licensed traveler is authorized to remit pursuant to §515.570 is authorized, provided that no emigration-related remittances authorized by §515.570(e) are carried to Cuba unless a U.S. immigration visa has been issued for each payee and the licensed traveler can produce the visa recipients' full names, dates of birth, visa numbers, and visa dates of issuance.

(5) Processing certain financial instruments. All transactions incident to the processing and payment of credit cards, debit cards, stored value cards, checks, drafts, travelers' checks, and similar instruments used or negotiated in Cuba by any person authorized pursuant to this part to engage in financial transactions in Cuba are authorized. Persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction may rely on the traveler with regard to compliance with this paragraph, provided that such persons do not know or have reason to know that a transaction is not authorized by this section.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by Aquadome

Look into flights from Nassau Bahamas to Cuba. It's easy enough to get to the Bahamas.

Cuba is restricting travel from six countries from January 1, 2021 over COVID-19 fears. On the list are the United States, Mexico, Panama, the Bahamas, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The Cuban government is not banning travel from those countries per se. Rather it is “restricting” travel from those countries.

In addition, unless one qualifies under the specific general license provisions it is illegal for USA citizens or residents to travel to Cuba.

[Aquadome]

That's quite the story but in reality there are plenty of flights in January from Nassau to Cuba.

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by Montanan

Cuba is restricting travel from six countries from January 1, 2021 over COVID-19 fears. On the list are the United States, Mexico, Panama, the Bahamas, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The Cuban government is not banning travel from those countries per se. Rather it is “restricting” travel from those countries.

In addition, unless one qualifies under the specific general license provisions it is illegal for USA citizens or residents to travel to Cuba.

Well, “qualifying for the specific general license provisions” is a bad joke. Choose one of the reasons and be gone. Hopefully Biden opens up Cuba, that would be an excellent trade opportunity eventually for the US and Cuba. Wonderful people.

[Montanan]

Guidance from American Airlines.

Travel to Cuba
U.S. to Cuba travel policy
Flying to Cuba from or through the U.S. for tourism is not allowed. There are 13 permitted reasons for travel:

Family visits
Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments and certain intergovernmental organizations
Journalistic activities
Professional research or professional meetings
Educational academic activities
People-to-people exchanges (for travel related transactions purchased prior to June 5, 2019)
Religious activities
Public performance, clinics, workshops, athletic or other competitions and exhibitions
Support for the Cuban people
Humanitarian projects
Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials
Travel related to certain authorized export transactions
Federal regulations on travel to Cuba Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

If you aren't traveling for one of the 13 reasons, there are 2 other ways to enter Cuba:

With a license issued by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
As a Cuban National returning home
Apply for an OFAC license Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

If you don't qualify for one of the 13 permitted reasons, have an OFAC license or identify as a Cuban national returning home, you will not be permitted to travel to Cuba.

Additional travel requirements
Everyone entering Cuba must have a visa and health insurance with coverage in the area. For insurance, a $25 fee is added to your ticket price.

Special visa requirements apply to Cuban-born travelers, regardless of citizenship.

Preparing for travel
What to bring
Valid passport
Valid visa, travel card or Cuban passport
Cash
You can buy a travel card online or at Miami (MIA) before departure.

Buy travel card Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Few U.S.-issued cards are accepted in Cuba and service isn't guaranteed. Contact your bank before traveling.

Check-in
Online check-in for flights to Cuba is unavailable. You must check in at the airport to provide reason for travel – allow up to 3 hours to complete the process. If you're flying from Miami (MIA), look for the 'Cuba Ready' booth by Checkpoints 1 and 2 to check your documents and get your boarding pass stamp.

Changes to bag limitations for checked bags have been updated as of August 19, 2020. Bag fees may apply for checked bags and can only be paid in cash.

Due to COVID-19, the government of Cuba has placed a 2-bag restriction on international commercial flights until further notice.

Only 2 checked bags with a maximum weight of 70 lbs / 32 kg each plus 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item are allowed per passenger traveling to / from Cuba with no exceptions.

Checked bag policy

Connections
When you get to the gate at your connecting airport, look for the 'Cuba Ready' booth to check your documents and get your boarding pass stamp.