Illegal to Crew on Private Yacht?

[sailronin]

Originally Posted by Mexdon

There is no paperwork that calls for guests on board. The paperwork is "crew list" and everyone aboard must be listed.

That is correct a crew list must be filled out with each person's function aboard, owner or guest are valid descriptions.

[Mexdon]

Originally Posted by sailronin

That is correct a crew list must be filled out with each person's function aboard, owner or guest are valid descriptions.

sailronin here you seem to have solved the dilemma. Here is a sample crew list form taken from Kathy Parson's website that shows what you have said so for the OP he should just say he will be a guest on X yacht. Perhaps it would be advantageous for him to pre-arrange passage prior to re-entering the USA. Letter of intent from the owner etc.

http://www.spanishforcruisers.com/do...rsCrewList.pdf

[Seaworthy Lass]

Manta Martime, a UK company "dedicated to providing effective yacht safety solutions through innovative and practical guidance" has addressed the issue of guests in this PDF file:
http://www.mantamaritime.com/downloa...guest_pres.pdf

To be classified as private guest rather than charter guest you need to be "the owner, family member or friend".
It seems "guest" has the same connotation as "passenger".

[baerbel]

thanks for your help guys. it seems to me that there are two things:
1. when I cross the border on may bicycle to the US I will tell them that I will leave the country on my friends sailboat as a guest (I am allowed to do that cause i have a B1/B2 Visa.

2.When leaving the states on the boat I will be on the Crewlist, that we hand the immigration whjen doing customs.

sounds good ?

mexdon, could you post the link of the website you quoted? thanx

[David_Old_Jersey]

I would simply not mention the boat (anything non standard for officialdom is not normal and therefore confuses).

and I would change my plans accordingly - a plane ticket out would be the easiest for them to understand (and they like the date thing), but failing that I would go with the intention to cross the border again by bicycle...........of course it would not be illegal to later change your plans to leave by boat. and on that note I would use the term guest (and make clear that no money is changing hands either way - i.e. you are neither paid for crew nor a paying passenger, if pushed I would not even say you are chipping in for expenses - it's all about your sparkling personality!).

and if all that fails - then f#ck 'em, go somewhere else!

[Mexdon]

baerbel here is the link....you perhaps can write to them for a clearer answer, I have found that most US departments are very efficient at answering emails and are also very helpful.

Crewmember Visas

[baerbel]

thank you guys! this is an awesome forum ; ) - so many good advices so quick!
ahoj
baerbel (I am a "she" by the way)

[Mexdon]

Originally Posted by baerbel

thank you guys! this is an awesome forum ; ) - so many good advices so quick!
ahoj
baerbel (I am a "she" by the way)

That is the problem with anonymity one never knows who or "what" one is referring to.

My respects go out to you as a "she" doing what you are doing.

I am sure that now you have made the clarification you will be flooded with offers of passage.

Good luck in your adventures.

[MarkJ]

The correct title is Crew.

The crew form has only three types of person, captain, crew or passenger.

On a forign boat all people on had better be crew because a passenger is regarded as fare paying.


Mark

[svlamorocha]

Originally Posted by baerbel

thanks for your help guys. it seems to me that there are two things:
1. when I cross the border on may bicycle to the US I will tell them that I will leave the country on my friends sailboat as a guest (I am allowed to do that cause i have a B1/B2 Visa.

2.When leaving the states on the boat I will be on the Crewlist, that we hand the immigration whjen doing customs.

Here is my interpretation based on similar situations in US waters:
The one key thing for *you* is that you need to hand in your I/94 stub (which you will get when entering the US) to the Customs and Border Patrol officer when you leave. If you don't you will have trouble going into the States the next time. That may be an issue if everyone else in the boat is a US citizen, because you may be the only reason for the boat to go to Customs on the way out. This needs to happen when you leave the US.

Another thing is that if the boat is a foreign-flagged boat the skipper may need to add you to the crew list in order for him/her to comply the rules for foreign boats (detail will vary depending on whether the boat is on a cruising permit). Note that this may need to be done when you get on the boat; the interpretation of the rules is local so the skipper will need to ask at local CBP.



Good luck C

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by baerbel

thank you guys! this is an awesome forum ; ) - so many good advices so quick!
ahoj
baerbel (I am a "she" by the way)

Welcome to the forum Baerbel - got caught up with replying and forgot to say this earlier .
Have a wonderful passage. Hope you have no further problems with officials.

[Katiusha]

From driving Canada to US to the boat: it would really help if you would have an invite from your friend as the boat owner or copy of the crew list where you're listed. Just in case. The paperwork should state when you're departing and where you'll be sailing to.

[Vasco]

I think the correct term is "supernumerary crew".

[baerbel]

haha ; ) yes offers are very welcome : ) - if the US dont let me in again I need a sailboat before Nov. 31 from Canada BC to any other country than Canada or USA ; ) (otherwise the Canadians will force me to take a shitty oil-consuming airplane) finger crossing : )
b

[Seaworthy Lass]

I have never been asked for proof of a return ticket (had several flights to our boat now with no return ticket). Is this only a concern in the US or have I just been lucky?