Do Cuba, Mexico or Panama Require Prior Notification of Arrival

[Galaxie]

We are planning to sail from Florida to Panama and then on to NZ in the coming months. For the first part to Panama we are stopping in Cuba (North Coast) then Yucatan and on down to Panama. I have not heard of any need to send advance notice of arrival by email to any of these respective countries' agencies. If so, any websites would be appreciated.

Does anyone have recent experiences to share here?

[ConradG]

No experience there but the site Noonsite is pretty up on regs. Go to countries and pic what you want. There will at least be the contact info.

[AnchorageGuy]

Galaxie, There is no need for advance notice to any of these countries. But when you leave Cuba, be sure to get your clearance papers to show at the next port of call, whether along the Central American coast or if you take a direct run to Panama, that is what you will need. You will not need nor be ask for clearance from the US since Cuba understands they are not usually issued. WG

[ConradG]

Noonsite: The global site for cruising sailors

[Galaxie]

Waterwayguy.

The part about no clearance docs departing from the US is interesting. Does this apply to any and all flagged vessels- US or foreign national? We are NZ'ers and have just bought a sailing vessel in Miami so are currently re-documenting.

Thanks

[AnchorageGuy]

You can certainly obtain a clearance from the US Homeland Security, But I would still be cautious if clearing from Miami about your intended trip to Cuba, the folks there have been known to hassle even foreign flag vessels with threats if you ever return to the US. But the Cuban officials in Marina Hemingway, at least, don't expect outbound clearance from a US port. If you have it, great.

[dana-tenacity]

This whole advance notice business is fairly new. To the best of my knowledge only a few countries require it (NZ, AUS Fiji, Indonesia a few bits of the Caribbean) but more are being bullied into adopting it.

[AnchorageGuy]

I guess I have to wonder who or what organization would be bullying them into adopting it. It was considered by some Caribbean nations but they quickly rejected it as impractical and considered the potential loss of cruising boats if they took this position. WG

[dana-tenacity]

Good for them. I won't go further for fear of starting a political discussion.

[dana-tenacity]

Actually do you know of anything written about the decision of said Caribbean Nations??? Thanks

[osirissail]

If you are not a US citizen/legal resident and the boat will be documented in your home country - then you will be operating in the USA under a "cruising permit" which normally requires a notification to US authorities (Homeland Security/Customs/Immigration) that you are leaving the country. Also you entered the USA on a Visa and they require you to notify them when you depart the USA so they do not have to try to find you when your Visa expires which would cause all kinds of problems in the future if you ever want to visit the USA again.
- - It is probably easiest to list your next port of call as Mexico which will satisfy the US authorities. Then you make an "unscheduled" stop in Cuba along the way. You really do not want to tell them everything - especially things they do not want to hear and yet also not outright lie. Mexico is on your logical itinerary on the way to Panama and the Pacific. Unscheduled stops in between are not uncommon for food, weather or fuel.

[ConradG]

Sometimes you get good sensible and clear advice!
Good post osirissail

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by dana-tenacity

Actually do you know of anything written about the decision of said Caribbean Nations??? Thanks

Here are links to a couple of threads on APIS (Advance Passenger Information System).

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ers-10416.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ons-11192.html

Thankfully the application of the program to small private and charter yachts was scrapped in response to vigorous opposition from the marine trade industry, cruisers and tourism organizations.

[dana-tenacity]

Thanks

[osirissail]

Hud3 those links are from 2007 - - 3 years ago. Latest as of personal experience last June was that there are no active reporting requirements in the area from the Virgins to Trinidad. All the fuss was killing business in the various islands that tried to implement the system and the various marine businesses and business associations quickly pointed it out to their government which then opted out of the APIS system for anything to do with small vessels and cruisers. Hopefully the whole thing is a dead issue in the whole Caribbean.