Returning with LBO guest aboard

[Kasidah]

We will be returning to the states from Bahamas and have the LBO which has always been so easy with the phone call and clearance. This year we might have a son-in-law aboard, he'd fly over from the states and do the crossing with us. Has anybody done this and called to use the LBO, he has a valid US Passport? Will he need to check in somewhere, can we file a float plan with him on it or will the phone call and his Passport take care of it?. I've searched and only found threads 8 years and older. Thanks All

[sailjumanji]

As Customs explained to us, if any crew onboard has not gone thru the process of registration, pre clear, etc., then that disqualifies the boat from the LBO clearance when returning to US.

[SVTwilight]

Originally Posted by sailjumanji

As Customs explained to us, if any crew onboard has not gone thru the process of registration, pre clear, etc., then that disqualifies the boat from the LBO clearance when returning to US.

That is what we understood from reading the DTOPS info...

[sailjumanji]

Originally Posted by SVTwilight

That is what we understood from reading the DTOPS info...

We also talked to Customs/Border Patrol at the Miami Boat Show in February. They have a new app for checking in, instead of having to call in. But his first question before explaining how to use it was "is everyone onboard participating in the SVRS program?"

Here is an excerpt from the email CBP sent us after we were approved for SVRS:

"The SVRS will allow you as a participant, under certain circumstances, to telephonically report the arrival of your vessel, make customs declarations, and submit any necessary additional information and may be cleared without a face-to-face inspection. Please note that the immigration status and citizenship must be valid and participants must possess appropriate valid immigration and identity documents at all times.

Any passengers who are onboard an arriving vessel and have not previously elected to participate in the SVRS program, will be required to report to the appropriate POE for a face-to-face inspection. Although the participating master will not be required to report with the non-participant, the master is legally responsible for ensuring the non-participants present themselves to CBP for a face-to-face inspection and failure to comply with this requirement may be subject to penalties.

During future arrivals, the master must contact CBP immediately upon arrival and provide their SVRS number and may be asked to provide other identifying information. Based on the information provided, CBP will verify that the master and occupants of the vessel are SVRS participants and determine whether the master's report satisfies inspection requirements or whether further inspection is necessary. CBP reserves the right to board and inspect any small pleasure vessel and its occupants arriving from any foreign port or place and will conduct random inspections of SVRS participants."

So from reading above, it sounds like the SVRS participants might be cleared thru with a phone call, but the non-SVRS crew are still going to have to go to nearest port of entry for clearing in. Which is a bit different than our conversations with them, which seemed to lean toward you couldn't check in via the SVRS option if you had non-SVRS crew onboard.

[NakedCity]

You should just have him go get his LBO before he comes.

[SVTwilight]

We have used the SVRS in the NE when sailing to/from the Canadian maritimes. CBP has made it clear to use that their programs and procedures "may" vary by region. "May" is apparently a Federal euphemism for "always".

With SVRS, we have been able to call in without inspection upon return because we BOTH have GLOBAL ENTRY that we use for air travel. It is not enough to have TSA pre-check.

In FL in JAN they told us that we would have to report in person because one of our 4 people did not have GLOBAL ENTRY. The wx tanked and we ended up not making the crossing to the Bahamas, but it really would have complicated our trip, because you must go directly to a designated area that is open when you arrive.

We have also found that calling the same regional number on the same day but getting different people on the line yields different requirements. SO, in some cases we have called back until we get the answer most suitable to us and then give our info and follow the procedure, carefully.

YMMV

[Dave Lochner]

Originally Posted by SVTwilight

We have used the SVRS in the NE when sailing to/from the Canadian maritimes. CBP has made it clear to use that their programs and procedures "may" vary by region. "May" is apparently a Federal euphemism for "always".

With SVRS, we have been able to call in without inspection upon return because we BOTH have GLOBAL ENTRY that we use for air travel. It is not enough to have TSA pre-check.

In FL in JAN they told us that we would have to report in person because one of our 4 people did not have GLOBAL ENTRY. The wx tanked and we ended up not making the crossing to the Bahamas, but it really would have complicated our trip, because you must go directly to a designated area that is open when you arrive.

We have also found that calling the same regional number on the same day but getting different people on the line yields different requirements. SO, in some cases we have called back until we get the answer most suitable to us and then give our info and follow the procedure, carefully.

YMMV

We have Nexus cards that allow quick entry across the Canadian border, TSA PreCheck, and Global Entry. Last spring we applied online and got SVRS numbers for my wife and I. In the summer we crossed back into the US, called CBP and gave them our SVRS numbers, which were not in the system. I was told that it was impossible to get an SVRS number online, yet, I had the email that gave us the numbers.

Apparently each CBP region operates a little differently and what works in one area, may not work in another another....

[johnjuliano]

Agree with SVTwilight – There doesn’t seem to be a lot of consistency.

SVRS was just discarded as a means of checking in at one location.

[skipgundlach]

Originally Posted by NakedCity

You should just have him go get his LBO before he comes.

What he said.

We did exactly that with my son.

[mholtzberg]

We came back from Cuba after the St. Pete to Havana race on a different boat and we had our SVRS numbers and we checked in but, there was other crew that did not have it and the captain had to accompany them to the office on the next day to have them checked in.

We were given the OK over the phone and when I traveled to Europe over the summer there was no problem leaving or entering the US. So if the SVRS didn't work I assume I would have had a problem either way.

Applying for SVRS is easy and free. You only need to present yourself to a Customs agent in which you set an appointment and it can be done at international airports.

[kcj]

Originally Posted by mholtzberg

We came back from Cuba after the St. Pete to Havana race on a different boat and we had our SVRS numbers and we checked in but, there was other crew that did not have it and the captain had to accompany them to the office on the next day to have them checked in.

We were given the OK over the phone and when I traveled to Europe over the summer there was no problem leaving or entering the US. So if the SVRS didn't work I assume I would have had a problem either way.

Applying for SVRS is easy and free. You only need to present yourself to a Customs agent in which you set an appointment and it can be done at international airports.

Does svrs work outside of Florida? E.g. Returning from Bahamas, all crew and vessel are registered in svrs. Does it work in sc, nc or nj?

[jmschmidt]

I hope that everyone understands that the agencies of the US federal government have no intention of ever simplifying or streamlining any of their self-perpetuating bureaucratic procedures in fear that it might mitigate the inconveniences to the taxpaying citizens.

SVRS, TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry and the like, while masquerading as cost-saving conveniences, are nothing more than full-employment programs for federal employees and a money grab for fees.

[mholtzberg]

I would assume that it would work in any coastal city because you are calling the US Customs and the last time I checked they cover the entire US and territories going in or out.

Check on the website

https://svrs.cbp.dhs.gov/Default.aspx

Call them and ask..

Locations:
https://svrs.cbp.dhs.gov/Locations.aspx