Cruisers & Sailing Forums - View Single Post - Changing US Boat to Foreign Reg, Then Cruising US

tackdriver · 05-06-2009, 07:48

So, the deal is done, I bought the boat for my 3 month trip. I now know more about registration, radios, anti-fouling and international money transfers than I really wanted to. I'm kicking off in the next couple of weeks. I've just realised that I'm going to be a foreign vessel in the US (Australian Reg). The boat is currently USCG registered, and I'm re-registering it as an Australian ship. There is no 'arriving' event where I deal with Customs. We just cast off and start sailing, in a foreign boat. I've got a state tax exemption from Florida which required a Notary and a fat bill from UPS. Now I realise that I'm going to need some sort of cruising permit. The last thing I need is a fine from Homeland Security and Border Protection for just tooling around.
My research to date indicates I have to ring the Border Protection people if I am thinking about inflating the dinghy, boiling the kettle or (God forbid) moving the boat. Can this be real? Can anyone give me a quick heads up as to what new paperwork nightmare I have to enter into?
thanks
James

05-06-2009, 07:48	#1
tackdriver Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Australia - but currently in Florida, going south Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 390 - 39' - sv The Office Posts: 88	Changing US Boat to Foreign Reg, Then Cruising US So, the deal is done, I bought the boat for my 3 month trip. I now know more about registration, radios, anti-fouling and international money transfers than I really wanted to. I'm kicking off in the next couple of weeks. I've just realised that I'm going to be a foreign vessel in the US (Australian Reg). The boat is currently USCG registered, and I'm re-registering it as an Australian ship. There is no 'arriving' event where I deal with Customs. We just cast off and start sailing, in a foreign boat. I've got a state tax exemption from Florida which required a Notary and a fat bill from UPS. Now I realise that I'm going to need some sort of cruising permit. The last thing I need is a fine from Homeland Security and Border Protection for just tooling around. My research to date indicates I have to ring the Border Protection people if I am thinking about inflating the dinghy, boiling the kettle or (God forbid) moving the boat. Can this be real? Can anyone give me a quick heads up as to what new paperwork nightmare I have to enter into? thanks James