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19-09-2012, 18:45
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Indiana
Boat: 1984 Johnson Boatworks Inland Scow, 20' and a 1975 sailMFG Bandit 19 Pocket Cruiser
Posts: 204
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Cuba for a small US Flagged S/V?
What will I need to know if we decide to hop across and visit Cuba... other than US Currency not being allowed to be spent there under US law?
Among other things, I have a laptop based GPS Nav system. What are restrictions for US Private vessels?
__________________
"Dum vivimus, vivamus! -- 'While we live, let us live!"-Heinlein (Among others)
My Refit and Travel Blog
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19-09-2012, 19:19
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Charleston SC
Boat: 34 Irwin
Posts: 175
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How much do you want to keep your boat?
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19-09-2012, 19:19
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Bahamas/Florida
Boat: Solaris Sunstar 36' catamaran
Posts: 2,686
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Re: Cuba for a small US Flagged S/V?
Tom -
This has been discussed ad infinitum on this and other forums. I suggest you spend some time using the search function and the Google search function.
__________________
Sail Fast Live Slow
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19-09-2012, 19:56
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Indiana
Boat: 1984 Johnson Boatworks Inland Scow, 20' and a 1975 sailMFG Bandit 19 Pocket Cruiser
Posts: 204
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Re: Cuba for a small US Flagged S/V?
Well, never mind, then. I guess the topic is off limits, so if the mods want, please close the thread. I did search, but I was on my Android and didn't get anything more current than a couple years ago, and it can be a pain to search with the phone out here in the sticks wit6h the 1G connectivity I get on the fringes.
__________________
"Dum vivimus, vivamus! -- 'While we live, let us live!"-Heinlein (Among others)
My Refit and Travel Blog
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19-09-2012, 20:14
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Charleston SC
Boat: 34 Irwin
Posts: 175
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I would suggest you contact the State Dept. Should be info on their web site.
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19-09-2012, 20:33
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#7
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Moderator... short for Cat Wrangler

Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: San Francisco
Boat: Cal 28 Flush Deck
Posts: 5,559
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Re: Cuba for a small US Flagged S/V?
It's not off limits. You asked a question and got responses...
I'm guessing the responses disspointed.
We would like to visit Cuba one day also, Himself had family there when Castro took over and they escaped.
But we understand there is a risk. You don't just 'pop over'...
__________________
Sara
ain't what ya do, it's the way that ya do it...
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19-09-2012, 20:36
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#8
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: 29° 49.16’ N 82° 25.82’ W
Boat: Pearson 422
Posts: 16,233
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Re: Cuba for a small US Flagged S/V?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Stormcrowe
Well, never mind, then. I guess the topic is off limits, so if the mods want, please close the thread. I did search, but I was on my Android and didn't get anything more current than a couple years ago, and it can be a pain to search with the phone out here in the sticks wit6h the 1G connectivity I get on the fringes.
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Please understand the impatience with your question. Sorry you can't get a good connection to research it where you're located but as you can see from my previous post the subject has been really beat to death, more than once.
I don't think there is anything to say that hasn't been said and resaid, debated and argued. Perhaps Cuba should go on the list of subjects that go round and round and never reach a resolution, like anchors and guns and Hunters.
__________________
The water is always bluer on the other side of the ocean.
Sometimes it's necessary to state the obvious for the benefit of the oblivious.
Rust is the poor man's Loctite.
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20-09-2012, 06:27
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 4,930
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Re: Cuba for a small US Flagged S/V?
I would add one, perhaps new for some, issue to the Cuba discussions...
Tampa paper this weekend talked about how more and more unmanned drones are being used by Homeland Security, Coast Guard, DEA, and others to monitor the waters around Florida--particularly between us and the Bahamas, and us and Cuba. As I read the article, it made me think that those who have been visiting Cuba on the QT in the past might find the probability of getting caught is going up.
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20-09-2012, 07:42
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Indiana
Boat: 1984 Johnson Boatworks Inland Scow, 20' and a 1975 sailMFG Bandit 19 Pocket Cruiser
Posts: 204
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Re: Cuba for a small US Flagged S/V?
My main question really, for best clarity, is on what I'll need to know if I should have to duck into a Cuban port as a harbor of refuge if the weather really goes south in me. I won't be able to preclear under those circumstances, or get an advance visa. I ahve the question in to the State Department and I'll also happily share their answer, when I eventually get it.
__________________
"Dum vivimus, vivamus! -- 'While we live, let us live!"-Heinlein (Among others)
My Refit and Travel Blog
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20-09-2012, 07:55
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Catskill Mountains when not cruising
Boat: 31' homebuilt Michalak-designed Cormorant "Sea Fever"
Posts: 2,100
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Re: Cuba for a small US Flagged S/V?
There are exceptions for church groups. I've often wondered how it would go if you became a Reverend of the Church of Life or one of those online outfits. . . . Then you could sail port to port in Cuba spreading the good news. . . .
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20-09-2012, 07:56
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#12
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: 29° 49.16’ N 82° 25.82’ W
Boat: Pearson 422
Posts: 16,233
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Re: Cuba for a small US Flagged S/V?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Stormcrowe
My main question really, for best clarity, is on what I'll need to know if I should have to duck into a Cuban port as a harbor of refuge if the weather really goes south in me. I won't be able to preclear under those circumstances, or get an advance visa. I ahve the question in to the State Department and I'll also happily share their answer, when I eventually get it.
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Very different question from your original post which specifically referred to an intentional, planned visit.
Short answer is, in a genuine emergency you can do what you have to do to protect life and property and you will not be penalized, at least by the US. Local laws and politics will however, dictate what sort of reception you receive in the destination country.
Many years ago when the cold war was much warmer I knew a guy that lost his mast and motored into the US base at Guantanamo. Very, very off limits but he was welcomed (after the MPs got over their initial shock at a boat showing up at their docks unannounced and undetected) and given a free trip to FL on a military transport and a free trip back with a new mast.
__________________
The water is always bluer on the other side of the ocean.
Sometimes it's necessary to state the obvious for the benefit of the oblivious.
Rust is the poor man's Loctite.
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20-09-2012, 07:59
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#13
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: 29° 49.16’ N 82° 25.82’ W
Boat: Pearson 422
Posts: 16,233
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Re: Cuba for a small US Flagged S/V?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cormorant
There are exceptions for church groups. I've often wondered how it would go if you became a Reverend of the Church of Life or one of those online outfits. . . . Then you could sail port to port in Cuba spreading the good news. . . .
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If you want to join the Pastafarians you can get ordained here with no problem.
Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
__________________
The water is always bluer on the other side of the ocean.
Sometimes it's necessary to state the obvious for the benefit of the oblivious.
Rust is the poor man's Loctite.
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20-09-2012, 08:08
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: San Diego
Boat: Pearson 39-2 "Sea Story"
Posts: 1,109
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skipmac
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If you do this, please invite me along to research the Cuban response.
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20-09-2012, 09:00
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: W Carib
Boat: Wildcat 35, Hobie 33
Posts: 13,323
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Re: Cuba for a small US Flagged S/V?
Quote:
Originally Posted by skipmac
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I'm thinking the State Dept won't go for that one, but hey, why not give it a try? I'll be happy to sign on as crew if you get the permit.
I would wait until after the US Prez election is over and then decide whether you want risk it. During Clinton's administration things were much more lax and there were many US flagged boats visiting Cuba. During emperor Duh-W's reign, Marina Hemingway became a ghost town. Be interesting to see what, if any, changes the next term brings.
Suggested related reading: I'm currently reading "Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life" by Jon Anderson. This book is in fact much broader than just a biography of "Che", it's scope includes a lot of detail about the Cuban revolution and later resulting conflicts. Lot's of good background for understanding Cuba and more fully appreciating your visit if you choose to go. Also, read up on the convenient little war we started following the explosion aboard the Battelship Maine while anchored in Havana.
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