Renewing permit to cruise US waters.

[svchances]

I am a Canadian registered boat and my USA Cruising Permit runs out on December 20, 2014. I am on the hard awaiting launch in Green Cove Springs (Jacksonville). I understand that I have to first "touch" foreign soil before they will issue me another permit. Although my plan is to cruise down to Key West after Christmas , I'm thinking I will have to go to the West End, Grand Bahamas, pay $300.00 and return to Lake Worth before I can cruise US waters.
Does anyone else have any experience with this. Or does everyone have to do this every year?? Appreciate any advice.

[Vasco]

Yes you have to leave the US and you can't get a new cruising permit until 15 days after the expiry or surrender of the old one.

[bobnlesley]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Yes you have to leave the US and you can't get a new cruising permit until 15 days after the expiry or surrender of the old one.

Exactly what we were told too

[svchances]

Thank you Rick.
Appreciate the response. In the meantime I called USGC Border Protection.
You are absolutely right.
If I turn in my permit before I leave a US port, I can return after 15 days away and they will issue a new permit. When I turn in the permit which I presently have, they will give me a Permit to Proceed to a port where I can exit the country.
Bummer that I just can't renew.
I find it hard to believe every foreign boat, has to, or does this every year.
Thankfully, the Bahamas aren't that far away.

[avb3]

Originally Posted by svchances

Thank you Rick.
Appreciate the response. In the meantime I called USGC Border Protection.
You are absolutely right.
If I turn in my permit before I leave a US port, I can return after 15 days away and they will issue a new permit. When I turn in the permit which I presently have, they will give me a Permit to Proceed to a port where I can exit the country.
Bummer that I just can't renew.
I find it hard to believe every foreign boat, has to, or does this every year.
Thankfully, the Bahamas aren't that far away.

I'm a snowbird from Alberta, and at this point, have kept the Florida registration on the boat I bought there. Personally of course I am restricted to the amount of time spent there, but the boat is not. As such, I have not changed the flag to Canadian, yet. I may do that in the future if I spend more time down island. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

[jeepbluetj]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Yes you have to leave the US and you can't get a new cruising permit until 15 days after the expiry or surrender of the old one.

I'm a US citizen. And as such, I apologize for the insanity. Sorry. Wish it wasn't so messed up.

[Boatguy30]

I see you have a Catalina. You really shouldn't have to remove it since it is US built. I know when I had a SSR registered US built yacht I was able to renew without leaving the country. Now, it was owned by American but I'm not sure that should matter as it's the vessel we're talking about.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

I see you have a Catalina. You really shouldn't have to remove it since it is US built. I know when I had a SSR registered US built yacht I was able to renew without leaving the country. Now, it was owned by American but I'm not sure that should matter as it's the vessel we're talking about.

Yes an American or registered alien (green card) can renew a cruising permit without having to leave. It's all in the regs which are online.

[avb3]

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

I see you have a Catalina. You really shouldn't have to remove it since it is US built. I know when I had a SSR registered US built yacht I was able to renew without leaving the country. Now, it was owned by American but I'm not sure that should matter as it's the vessel we're talking about.

But the boat is registered as a Canadian boat, hence the rule applies.

[Boatguy30]

Does not make that much sense. Most countries are worried about duty being paid. In NZ for example you can extend your permit by putting up a bond in the amount of the duty. The US duty is only 1.5% and is essentially already paid as was built here. Hard to see what the real reasoning is.

Anyhow, good luck.