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18-12-2022, 11:56
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 1
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Anchoring in USA without checking in (no B1/B2 Visa)
Hi Team
We are (relatively new) to traveling full time on our liveaboard boat. Been doing this for 1.5 years so far. We're currently in Isla Mujeres Mexico and intend to get to the Bahamas next month.
Both my wife and I are Kiwis (NZ Passports) and with our boat which is NZ registered and flagged, Sadly entering USA territories is not something we cant do legally since we dont have our B1/B2 visa.
I was wondering about how "bad" is it to anchor in USA (say Florida Keys for example) for a night or two for a break from our sail from Mexico to Bahamas? We wont intended to get off our boat at all, it will be simply a 'rest stop' since the sail is relatively long for us to do one go.
- Is this a massive no no, and could be get in real trouble for doing so?
- Do we simply anchor, raise our Q flag and just disappear the next day?
- Is there some sort of official process that we can use to allow us to legally stop in a USA territories without negative repercussions or risks?
Any advise, opinions or even other people's experience would be appreciated on this (seemingly gray area) matter
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18-12-2022, 12:11
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#2
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: PORTUGAL
Posts: 31,297
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Re: Anchoring in USA without checking in (no B1/B2 Visa)
Massive No no no..
If you don't get stopped going in you will definitely be stopped leaving US waters.
In every trip I have done US to Europe I have been chased down by a USCG rib and asked to show my papers etc.
The exception was N Caroline where things are not as sensitive as the Florida region.
__________________

You can't oppress a people for so many decades and have them say.. "I Love You.. ".
"It is better to die standing proud, than to live a lifetime on ones knees.."
Self Defence is no excuse for Genocide...
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18-12-2022, 12:29
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Somewhere in French Polynesia
Boat: Dean 440 13.4m catamaran
Posts: 2,333
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Re: Anchoring in USA without checking in (no B1/B2 Visa)
right of free passage in transit does NOT include the right to stop anywhere.
you may get away with it in some small friendly countries, or if in genuine well documented distress...but not just to stop / anchor for a rest in usa
entry requirements for usa are well documented on line. start with noonsite
cheers,
__________________
"home is where the anchor drops"...living onboard in French Polynesia...maintaining social distancing
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18-12-2022, 12:42
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Boat: Alubat, OVNI 47
Posts: 380
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Re: Anchoring in USA without checking in (no B1/B2 Visa)
I think you could probably get away just anchoring and leaving the next day(s), but if you were to get caught it would undoubtedly cause you serious problems should you want to visit the USA anytime in the future.
A sailed from Rio Dulce, Guatemala, stopped Isla Mujeres (I never checked in or out) to figure out what the situation was with the Deep water Horizon oil spill. My original destination was Mobile, Alabama, but after informing myself better in Isla Mujeres, I decided to change destinations to Key West. I anchored and checked in with the authorities the next, or even a following day. Customs/Immigration officials didn't seem like they were expecting me or anything else.
__________________
Chip
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18-12-2022, 12:59
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,005
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Re: Anchoring in USA without checking in (no B1/B2 Visa)
Failure to follow proper entry can cause you to be arrested, deported, separated from your vessel, fined, and thence restricted from future entry to the USA.
If you desire to arrive by private vessel into the USA you must have the B1/B2 Visa before arrival.
References as to formalities:
https://www.staryachtgroup.com/blog-...nd-formalities
https://www.noonsite.com/place/usa/formalities/
Similarly as to the USVI & Puerto Rico:
https://www.noonsite.com/place/us-vi...s/formalities/
For non-U.S. citizens, visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands is just like visiting the mainland United States: You need a passport and may require a visa. All crew must present passports in person at the closest Immigration office.
See Noonsite’s USA/Formalities/Immigration section for details.
All nationalities arriving by private yacht need a valid US visa, which must be obtained in advance of arrival, or be already in possession of a visa waiver entry in their passport (see information below for a way to do this).
The only exceptions to visa requirements are Canadian citizens who are permanent residents in Canada, and Bermudan citizens who are permanent residents in Bermuda.
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18-12-2022, 13:36
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 573
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Re: Anchoring in USA without checking in (no B1/B2 Visa)
Quote:
Originally Posted by foobarbaz
Hi Team
We are (relatively new) to traveling full time on our liveaboard boat. Been doing this for 1.5 years so far. We're currently in Isla Mujeres Mexico and intend to get to the Bahamas next month.
Both my wife and I are Kiwis (NZ Passports) and with our boat which is NZ registered and flagged, Sadly entering USA territories is not something we cant do legally since we dont have our B1/B2 visa.
I was wondering about how "bad" is it to anchor in USA (say Florida Keys for example) for a night or two for a break from our sail from Mexico to Bahamas? We wont intended to get off our boat at all, it will be simply a 'rest stop' since the sail is relatively long for us to do one go.
- Is this a massive no no, and could be get in real trouble for doing so?
- Do we simply anchor, raise our Q flag and just disappear the next day?
- Is there some sort of official process that we can use to allow us to legally stop in a USA territories without negative repercussions or risks?
Any advise, opinions or even other people's experience would be appreciated on this (seemingly gray area) matter
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First thing comes to mind....need a break sailing from Isla to Bahamas....wha???
Stopping in the Tortugas prior to checking in in Key West is a very common thing. Should a park ranger come see you they would see that as normal. It was certainly that way with me. The folks at Tortugas won't call ahead to Key west, obviously.
Keep in mind the USCG is awesome. Being "chased down"....hmm, they dont really need to "chase down' anyone....if you have seen what they can do should they choose.
Don't listen to the folks that hate on USCG, its generally because they were doing something stupid and got called on it, or had a bad attitude.
My experiences have always been great...i have everything that is reasonably expected to be offshore (not much when you think about it)and we sit and smile....even with multiple firearms aboard(after they called in the serial numbers).
You are not in NZ now,it's different here.
If it's a worry, just straight shot it.
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18-12-2022, 13:52
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#7
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: PORTUGAL
Posts: 31,297
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Re: Anchoring in USA without checking in (no B1/B2 Visa)
Who's hating on the CG.. just saying it as happened to me leaving Florida twice outa Lauderdale and once outa Miami, as I closed 3nm offshore heading for N of the Bahama Bank before Easting for my Transat a rib closed, asked me to stop then requested my papers, passports and destination.
How's that hating on anyone, its their job and I respect that.
__________________

You can't oppress a people for so many decades and have them say.. "I Love You.. ".
"It is better to die standing proud, than to live a lifetime on ones knees.."
Self Defence is no excuse for Genocide...
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18-12-2022, 18:13
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Colorado/Miami
Boat: Beneteau 381
Posts: 113
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Re: Anchoring in USA without checking in (no B1/B2 Visa)
I have made quite a few transits from Miami to the lower keys in the past couple years and I have been stopped or intercepted or whatever you want to call it way more times than not.
I have been boarded by USCG ribs several times, (tediously checking paperwork….that’s not hating, just find it annoying…..stopped twice last summer by CBP at night in unlit boats…..they wanted everybody’s passport and told us before running them that they would do warrant checks (time to panic if you rented a car from Hertz)…….FWC who wanted fishing permits (I don’t fish, and have no fishing equipment aboard)…..Miami Dade, who were just bored I think.
The Keys would be, I imagine, the absolute worst place to approach the US without proper documentation in place.
As a Kiwi, nothing stops you from putting in at Havana though.
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18-12-2022, 18:32
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 759
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Re: Anchoring in USA without checking in (no B1/B2 Visa)
Quote:
Originally Posted by boatman61
Who's hating on the CG.. just saying it as happened to me leaving Florida twice outa Lauderdale and once outa Miami, as I closed 3nm offshore heading for N of the Bahama Bank before Easting for my Transat a rib closed, asked me to stop then requested my papers, passports and destination.
How's that hating on anyone, its their job and I respect that.
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Three for three??? Wow!!!
What are you doing wrong? I have sailed east out of South Florida more times than I can count on my own boat and on deliveries and never been stopped or even seen the USCG on patrol. When you think about the HUGE number of boats that cross to the Bahamas every weekend, you must be triggering something to spark that level of interest.
I don't mean you are literally doing something wrong. I just wonder what it is that is attracting attention to your boats?
If it is truly just the luck of the draw you would be a very bad person to stand next to during a thunderstorm!
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18-12-2022, 18:43
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 759
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Re: Anchoring in USA without checking in (no B1/B2 Visa)
It is not just the USA. I know of one boat who anchored in a cove in Nova Scotia for one night before continuing directly on to Halifax to clear in the next morning. They were assessed a significant fine.
When most countries say "Proceed immediately to a Port of Entry for clearance" they MEAN it.
You might "get away with it," but you might not. The Keys is heavily patrolled, and is a place where a lot of smuggling of humans and contraband occurs. If you are doing something a "little" illegal by not checking in first, the working assumption by law enforcement is that you are more likely to be involved in something more nefarious.
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18-12-2022, 19:23
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Tampa Bay
Boat: 1998 Catalina 320
Posts: 547
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Re: Anchoring in USA without checking in (no B1/B2 Visa)
I'm kind of confused by people saying they get stopped all of the time in South Florida and the Keys.
I started sailing in South Florida in 1980, and I've owned boats continuously there for the last 22 years, wandering both coasts and all through the Keys.
This includes three 650-mile trips three of the last four springs, numerous day sails that included trips into the Gulfstream, passages through major ports and anchoring in all sorts of places.
I remember being stopped by the Fort Lauderdale marine patrol in 1981 for an expired sticker. A local patrol tried to board us at anchor in Factory Bay at Marco Island a couple of years ago, but we nicely shooed him away.
Other than that, nothing.
This has been the norm since I moved to Florida in 1977. I'm old enough to remember when the smuggling boats ran tons of square grouper into the inlets all along the coast.
Even when the Coast Guard and police are trying, it's difficult to monitor all of the boat traffic along the Florida coast. Most local police patrols don't even try. They just like to drive too fast and pitch wakes at sailboats.
I do think it's a good idea to follow the rules because the government bureaucrats will make it difficult for you to return if you don't and you get caught.
But, if you don't care about that, there's a decent chance you can get away with it as long as you're not flying a foreign flag prominently.
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19-12-2022, 00:54
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#12
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Moderator
Join Date: May 2014
Boat: Shuttleworth Advantage
Posts: 2,813
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Re: Anchoring in USA without checking in (no B1/B2 Visa)
Try doing what you propose in NZ, consequences would be swift and penalties high. NZ rated as having the most pedantic, unyielding and unprofessional officialdom. Friends on a large 46m yacht had their boat papers endorsed and refused future entry for fixing an essential pump instead on leaving immediately.
You could sail into BVI (very unfriendly place) take the ferry to USVI get stamped in on an esta (check if this applies to NZ citizens). Return to BVI by ferry and sail to USVI where you will be issued a 1 year permit for the boat. You personally will be good for 90 days.
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19-12-2022, 01:36
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#13
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always in motion is the future

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: in paradise
Boat: Sundeer 64
Posts: 20,161
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Re: Anchoring in USA without checking in (no B1/B2 Visa)
I find this all hilarious
I have entered and exited Florida too many times to remember and was never stopped. I have seen boats around me, who were fishing, checked, for permits I guess, but they always skip us.
I recon it must be the Dutch red, white and blue flying from the stern that makes them think better not to mess with the Dutch, while every time they see a lobster on the run they nail them hahaha 
But for the OP, nah better get your appointment at the US embassy in Nassau, takes a long time, then get the visa before sailing the US. We renewed a year ago.
__________________
“It’s a trap!” - Admiral Ackbar.
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19-12-2022, 02:16
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,004
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Re: Anchoring in USA without checking in (no B1/B2 Visa)
With the gulf stream at your back, you should be able to make good time assuming you wait for a good weather window, so it might not be as bad as you think.
If you still feel the need, you might try calling the CG once you are in VHF range. Explain that you are transiting Mexico to Bahamas and are concerned that you are tired and would prefer to get a bit of rest. Then ask very politely if it might be possible to anchor for the night without coming ashore. If they say yes, get the name and position of the CG officer that you spoke with. If they say no, you have an answer much more clear vs asking random people on the internet.
It is a sensitive area, due to drug smuggling and illegal border crossings, so they do keep track and playing fast and loose with the rules isn't a great idea.
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19-12-2022, 07:36
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 759
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Re: Anchoring in USA without checking in (no B1/B2 Visa)
Quote:
Originally Posted by s/v Jedi
I find this all hilarious
I have entered and exited Florida too many times to remember and was never stopped. I have seen boats around me, who were fishing, checked, for permits I guess, but they always skip us.
I recon it must be the Dutch red, white and blue flying from the stern that makes them think better not to mess with the Dutch, while every time they see a lobster on the run they nail them hahaha 
But for the OP, nah better get your appointment at the US embassy in Nassau, takes a long time, then get the visa before sailing the US. We renewed a year ago.
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It is funny--and very typical. Some sailors (complain/brag) about how they get stopped "all the time" and others seem to fly under the radar without issues for their whole lives.
I know that we are in the "never get stopped" group.
I have never been able to figure out if the ones who talk about getting stopped "every time they go out" are just making up (or exaggerating) stories, or have the nautical version of a "KICK ME" sign on the back of their boat!
I suspect part of it might be a combination of the following: - We have a sailboat. According to a USCG Bosun I know, they generally avoid sailboats as random targets because they are a pita to board.
- We are US flagged. In the USA--that cuts down the interest from CBP. But I have done deliveries on foreign flagged boat without issues too.
- We have AIS. I assume the authorities have access to our travel history, and we haven't been to places that might attract "extra" interest. (Hati, Cuba, Mexico...)
- Again, assuming they have our AIS data, I assume the boat info is linked to our passport information, and they know where we have been, and we don't go to places that are generally very interesting to them.
- In Florida, if we are not fishing, we stow our fishing gear. Coming in from the ocean with gear out is considered sufficient reason to stop a boat for a compliance inspection.
- Our boat looks like it belongs on the ocean. It is well found, and bristol. We don't look like we'd do something stupid because we need money.
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