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Old 24-02-2017, 11:54   #1
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Moving aboard the boat - one way ticket?

Hi there,

We are going to be flying down to the boat on the 3rd of march and moving aboard it full time.

The boat is located in St Kitts, and we have purchased our one way tickets already. The owner of the boat will be meeting us at the boat and we will sign the USCG documents(Bill of Sale) to take ownership of the vessel.

I was wondering if anyone has any insights on what documentation we need for customs to allow us in to the country? Can I draft a letter stating that "we are the owners of a vessel located in X marina, we will be departing the country on X date aboard the vessel headed towards X country"

Any insight would be helpful!

THanks!
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Old 24-02-2017, 12:43   #2
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Re: Moving aboard the boat - one way ticket?

Generally you run into the roadblock when you check in for your flight. The airlines are responsible for repatriation if you are rejected on arrival. If you have documentation that your boat is in the country legally you can sometimes get by. In your case having refundable return ticket would be the easiest path.
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Old 24-02-2017, 13:25   #3
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Re: Moving aboard the boat - one way ticket?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul L View Post
Generally you run into the roadblock when you check in for your flight. The airlines are responsible for repatriation if you are rejected on arrival. If you have documentation that your boat is in the country legally you can sometimes get by. In your case having refundable return ticket would be the easiest path.

Much appreciated! I guess i'll get on the hunt for a refundable ticket!
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Old 24-02-2017, 14:16   #4
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Re: Moving aboard the boat - one way ticket?

Paul L has it spot on; the issue isn't with the country you are going to but the airline itself because they have to foot the bill should things go awry at immigration. If you can clear the issue up with the airline prior to check-in and have a printout that would solve the problem. I've done this for crew flying on a one-way ticket to the USA who were going to join the boat - I wrote a letter stating that their onward journey would be via a boat and that was sent to the airline prior to travel, and they accepted.
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Old 25-02-2017, 08:57   #5
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Re: Moving aboard the boat - one way ticket?

I just got a 1 way ticket on Delta to Panama from Canada. No problem.

But agreed your biggest problem is the airline. Luckily you are going to an English speaking country as well.
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Old 25-02-2017, 09:23   #6
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Re: Moving aboard the boat - one way ticket?

If you are accepting a bill-of-sale on US Coast Guard Form CG-1340 (downloadable on the USCG website, do not accept any other form of bill-of-sale) and the seller will be signing in a foreign country (St. Kitts) you must have it notarized by a US consular official and/or an apostille certificate must accompany the CG-1340. Note: The SELLER signs the bill-of-sale, not the buyer.
As for the airline issue, buying fully refundable round-trip tickets (known as a full Y class fare ticket) is an option but they are much more expensive than internet offered cheapo one-way tickets. I’ve never had a problem with these. I carry a well-drafted, official looking “Crew Letter” that states that I am the master, deck hand, cook, etc. assigned to sailing vessel X (include vessel name and official document number) located in country Y. I will be departing country Y on said sailing vessel on approximately date Z. Include your USCG license number or state boater’s operator certificate if you have one and your passport number on the Crew Letter.
There was a good comment on this string about calling the airline in advance to let them know you are on a one-way ticket on a Crew Letter. They will post this info on your PNR, airline reservations talk for “Passenger Number Record” stored in their computer system. Any counter or gate agent can pull this info up if they give you a hard time. In fact ask them to put this on your “PNR” and they will think you know you stuff.
As far as clearing out of St. Kitts, every country has its own procedure. Local knowledge is essential in these cases. The more documents you have to prove ownership of the boat and yourself the better.
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Old 25-02-2017, 13:43   #7
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Re: Moving aboard the boat - one way ticket?

If you are American which it sounds like you are, you shouldn't have any issues in St. Kitts getting in on a one way ticket. Best way to get there is fly into SXM (St. Maarten) first and hop Liat or Winn Air (my preference) to St Kitts. Enjoy the monkeys.. yes there are monkeys on the island, and WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE.. St. Kitts is the only place I know where swearing is illegal and can get you locked up. I watched the officials disconnect the sound system of a US rapper during Carnival because of bad language. He was allowed to continue but told not to use foul language. He did it again, and was escorted off stage and was on the next flight out.

With that being said, locals there are wonderful and will bend over backwards for you. The marina there has everything you will need, and if your boat needs some TLC before leaving, it should be no problem there. If you find the boat needs something substantial, St. Maarten is where to go..

Good luck to you on your adventure and enjoy!!
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Old 26-02-2017, 06:32   #8
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Re: Moving aboard the boat - one way ticket?

A letter from current owner, stating you are crew on the named boat will help if needed. The more official it looks the better, e.g. impressive stamp and bold logo on top.
If airline official queries you before flight you impress him with the letter.
Personally I have never been stopped flying out.
On the other hand, I was once not allowed to leave!
Leaving Fiji I had to present 'letter of discharge' from the skipper (who was traveling with me).
Only after presenting two letters for both of us we got permit to leave tje country.
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Old 26-02-2017, 07:38   #9
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Re: Moving aboard the boat - one way ticket?

Quote:
Originally Posted by chowdan View Post
Hi there,

We are going to be flying down to the boat on the 3rd of march and moving aboard it full time.

The boat is located in St Kitts, and we have purchased our one way tickets already. The owner of the boat will be meeting us at the boat and we will sign the USCG documents(Bill of Sale) to take ownership of the vessel.

I was wondering if anyone has any insights on what documentation we need for customs to allow us in to the country? Can I draft a letter stating that "we are the owners of a vessel located in X marina, we will be departing the country on X date aboard the vessel headed towards X country"

Any insight would be helpful!

THanks!
What would you do if the sale fell through at the last minute? Would you buy a different boat? Rent an apartment on the island? Or fly home?

That refundable return ticket might be a reasonable contingency for reasons other than making the airline more confident that they'll not be paying for your return themselves.
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