NE Sailboat wrote:
After reading Roger "the old pirate lover" Long's posting that he is
planning on fogging [ oops, I meaning cruising ] to Canada and then also
reading another posting asking about going to the Bahama's .............

I got to thinking ???

I have never cruised outside of the USA. If you have, could you tell me/us
what and how all this works.

Specifically; what is the Flag thing all about? When/how do you and your
boat report to customs in the country you visit?

How much does it cost to visit the Bahama's? Canada? Does the USA also
charge when a boat from the Bahama's visits us? If not, why not.

How does this international cruising all work.



International cruising is not difficult. For the Bahamas you stop at the
first port with customs, hoist the 'Q' flag, present yourself with ships
papers (documentation, ships radio license) and everyone's passports,
fill out the paperwork, pay the fees and get your cruising permit good
for six months. Fee is $150 for boats up to 35' and $300 for over 35'.
They are talking about increasing the fee to $500 for over 35' this summer.

Cruising places like the leewards and windwards requires multiple
clearances in/out. The fees range from free to hundreds. An Anguilla
cruising permit is $150 per day. Say you sail the windwards from
Martinique to Grenada. To clear into Martinique with ships papers,
passports, four copies of crew list. Fee is $0. To leave go to customs
and get the clearance papers stamped for departure. Sail to Rodney Bay,
St. Lucia. Put up the 'Q' flag. Go to customs with ships papers, four
copies of crew list, passports, itinerary, list of ships stores,
firearms and ammo, alcohol and tobacco aboard. Fill out papers, pay fee
($35),get cruising permit, go to boat, take down 'Q' flag and hoist St.
Lucia flag. Cruise down to Marigot Bay, Pitons than clear out at
Souferre town. Sail to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Clear in at
Bequea, sail to Mayreau, Tobago Cays, Little St Vincent then clear out
at Union Island. Sail to Carriacou, clear in for Granada, do Hillsboro,
Terrel Bay and Sandy Island then sail to Grenada.