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In May we obtained a US cruising certificate for our British registered sailboat in West Palm. The customs and immigration offices are right on the dock and in the same building, the officials were very friendly and helpful and the total cost was less than $25. They gave us a 12 month cruising certificate, which can be renewed yearly providing you leave US waters for 2 weeks, and we then sailed to Miami. They also knew about as much about the Coast Guard requirements as we did...nothing!
While I have great respect for the work done by the US Coastguard they are so busy chasing terrorists and drug runners they appear to have very little time to bother cruisers. In 10,000 miles in US waters all we every had was friendly waves and smiles. However, I was overflow 5 times by a CG helicopter when I had a crew of bikini clad blond women!
Phil
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