We folks sail on/at/near/around the US-Canada border all the time. Following
is a letter to our House Representive Candice Miller from the DRYA. Ms.
Miller is a sailor and has sailed the Port Huron to Mackinac Island race
several times.

The mentioned I-68 forms cost $18.00 plus three passport type photos plus
waiting in line at the INS line. All have to be present at the INS with
photo ID. And they are good for only one year.

My boat is on Lake St. Clair - 216nm as the crow flies to Mackinac Island
(from the GPS) and 8 hours upstream to Port Huron (these locations are
mentioned in the letter).
Just to let you know our problems. Any political help you can give is
appreciated...
---------------------------------------------------------
April 28, 2004

Honorable Candice S. Miller
House of Representatives
10th Michigan Congressional District
508 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Ms. Miller:
I am writing you on behalf of the Lake St. Clair based sailing fraternity
and in particular as a representative of the Detroit Regional Yacht-Racing
Association (DRYA). As you know, DRYA is a regional yachting association
which administers competitive sailing under the auspices of United States
Sailing Association, the national yacht racing authority. DRYA is comprised
of several hundred members, thousands of member club boaters, and is in many
circumstances the voice of sailing in southeastern Michigan.

Over the last several years and in particular since September 11, 2001 our
flag officers and administrators have met with various representatives of
the United States Coast Guard (USCG), Department of Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS), United States Customs and the Detroit Port
Authority. We have been advised of certain initiatives as a result of
Homeland Security measures. In the spring of 2002, the epartment of
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) sent agents to several Detroit
area yacht clubs for the purpose of facilitating the issuance of CANADIAN
BORDER BOAT LANDING PERMITS, commonly known as I-68. Hundreds of local
sailors applied for and received the I-68 cards. At that time there was
significant confusion and misunderstanding regarding who actually had to
have an I-68 card. We were never given a clear definition as to what
"landing" in Canada actually is. We obtained conflicting answers and the net
result was that we should all have I-68 cards. Apparently INS has a
different set of rules than does Customs. The Coast Guard could not answer
what should have been simple questions. The 2002 sailing season passed
without any incident and I do not know of any local sailors who were boarded
or otherwise inspected for I-68 cards. During 2003 there was little talk of
I-68 and again no enforcement action was experienced.

We have recently met again with representatives of INS, USCG and the Port
Authority. They have told us the following:

o boats will be boarded frequently

o all persons on board must have an I-68 card if they have "been in Canada"

o the burden of "not being in Canada" will be on the skipper and crew

o being in Canada might include sailing in Canadian waters and certainly
includes anchoring in Canadian waters and/or touching Canadian soil

o if all persons aboard any vessel do not have I-68 cards the vessel may be
impounded and/or fines may be levied

As you may know there is no practical way to "check in" on the American side
of Lake St. Clair or the Detroit River. There is no official "entry point"
except at the Detroit - Windsor Ambassador Bridge and there are no
facilities for landing a vessel at the bridge. The closest "check in" venue
is on Mackinac Island or maybe Port Huron. It is impossible to "phone" in as
the INS and Customs do not have personnel to visit the hundreds of vessels
which might venture into Canadian waters on any given summer day.

Canadian officials have devised a simple, logical and easy to use call in
system to land their American friends. It is difficult to understand why we
do not have a system that works so boaters can comply with reasonable rules
and regulations. While we all appreciate the need for HOMELAND SECURITY we
have been unable to identify the real purpose of an I-68 card, other than to
raise revenue. I-68 cards are very inconvenient to obtain and it is
impossible for us to make certain that all of our crew and guests have I-68
cards. The way we understand potential enforcement, I will be unable to
invite a neighbor to dinner on my boat unless they have an I-68 card. It is
impossible to know who has been in Canada or not and as the burden is
apparently on the skipper, the situation becomes dogmatic.

We fail to understand the purpose of the I-68 card. It seems a passport or
other positive ID would serve the same purpose. Why do we need something
different than what is required to cross the boarder by automobile?
Last year there was virtually no enforcement action. This year we have been
TOLD that there will be very active enforcement and everyone is being warned
to have everyone on board to have a card or they will be detained and the
boat impounded.

The boating community needs your help. The laws and regulations together
with enforcement procedures need to be changed. The law is not practicable
or understood.
I would appreciate hearing from you so we might further discuss this issue.
Additionally, we would be pleased to provide you with a forum to address
this issue publicly. The boating community from the GREAT LAKES STATE will
appreciate your efforts.
Best regards,
John S. Barbour

--
Tom Weyand - War Chant - Sail No. 25468 - Lake St Clair