That is unfortunately US DHS policy. Even though all USCG NOTAMS that
describe restricted areas allow exceptions in case of emergencies but as far
as Customs and Border Protection or the DOD are concerned emergencies don't
count. Last year a flight of French fighters on joint maneuvers with the
Canadian AF ran low on fuel due to the weather and requested permission to
land at a US field. They were refused permission and were allowed to land
at Atlantic City only after the intervention by the State Department and the
FAA. http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2005/06/318906.shtml

The really odd thing was once they finally landed they were stuck because
none of the pilots had enough room on their credit cards to buy enough fuel
to get back in the air. :-)

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"claus" wrote in message
...
The following episode might be of interest to fellow boaters cruising the
San Juans and Canadian Gulf Islands....

We were returning from Bedwell Harbour on the Canadian side of the
boundary to our designated port of entry for U.S. customs at Roche
Harbor - the weather forecast was for patchy fog - but as we left
visibility improved and after checking with Victoria Vessel Traffic
Control on the VHF were assured that no large shipping was scheduled to
transit Boundary Pass we proceeded using our radar, GPs and monitoring
both channel 16 and 5 on the VHF. All was OK until we neared Turn Point on
Stuart Island - when the fog closed in and we were in about 100 feet of
visibility.... we "tippy toed" along using our air horn and communicating
with other traffic nearby on our VHF - at this point we decided to
proceed to Reid Harbor (right around the corner) and anchor until
conditions improved.

However, the fog was localized around Turn Point - and all of a sudden we
were in brillian sunshine and could proceed across to Roche Harbor and the
customs inspection.

When I asked the young inspector what would have happened if we - for the
sake of safety - had dropped the hook in Reid before proceeding to Roche -
his answer was "you are not allowed to do that - and if you can not
proceed to Roche, you must return to Canadian waters!". I explained that
that was not a safe option due to the dense fog and that it would have
been impossible to proceed across the busy San Juan Channel in dense fog
due to the ferry traffic....

He maintained that if I had anchored - even to safeguard the boat and the
lives of those onboard the vessel - I would have been subject to a $5000.
fine and possible arrest and confiscation of the vessel!!!

Talk about bureaucracy run amok... I am sure I feel so much safer with the
Department of Homeland Security taking such a rigid stance!!!

I had a informal word later with a member of a Coast Guard vessel who was
refueling next to us.. and his advise was "Safety First - if you have to
anchor due to imminent danger - do it - just don't tell Customs about it
when you check in!".

And I can not help wondering if you get arrested if you run your vessel
aground before you check with Customs :-)