Cruising Canada and past DWIs
 

Hi, any americans here who has gotten a DWI in their past ever tried to
cruise canada? From what I understand, having a DWI (even if pretty
old) means you are not legally allowed into canada, which of course
would apply to cruisers as well. Just wondering if anyone has run into
problems here or found a way around it?

"Russell" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi, any americans here who has gotten a DWI in their past ever tried to
cruise canada? From what I understand, having a DWI (even if pretty
old) means you are not legally allowed into canada, which of course
would apply to cruisers as well. Just wondering if anyone has run into
problems here or found a way around it?


Live right across the the river from Canada, never heard that one before.
When you call in to Canada Customs at the marina, all they ask are the basic
questions. AFAIK, you don't need a valid drivers license to sail into
Canadian waters or land in Canada.

John Cairns

John Cairns wrote:

Live right across the the river from Canada, never heard that one before.
When you call in to Canada Customs at the marina, all they ask are the basic
questions. AFAIK, you don't need a valid drivers license to sail into
Canadian waters or land in Canada.

Canadian West Coast bureaucrats seem to have a different take on things.
I have worked on both the Alaska and the Washington State ferry
systems which have routes that serve Canadian ports.

The Canadian government demanded that no crewmember of any Washington
State vessel that enters Canadian waters may have a DWI conviction. The
ferry system actually took crewmen off vessels on those runs even though
the vessel, under international law, is a sovereign part of the USA and
the crewmember, who meets all USCG legal and documentation standards to
sail anywhere in the world under US protection, does not set one foot on
Canadian soil.

At the northern end of the Canadian west coast, the guards at Prince
Rupert will allow convicted DWI's to enter the country after paying a
nonrefundable "bond" of some sort. There is no requirement that the
ferry crews have pristine backgrounds beyond what the USCG requires.

It is amazing that the "policy" can be so different across the country.
It is incredible that the US government allows Washington State to
ignore international law and more amazing that the (admittedly few) crew
who have lost or been denied jobs aboard ferries on Canadian runs have
not screamed to high Heavens.

Rick

Why should they cry to High Heaven?

One who gets a DWI in an auto, IMO would be much more likely to get
drunk afloat at the helm.

And as a paid mariner that is to great of a risk.

Might be harsh for cruisers, but the canooks have enough to deal with
trying to keep all the locals in line.

Joe

Joe wrote:

Why should they cry to High Heaven?

Because, while the Canadians have every right and authority to stipulate
who may step ashore on Canadian soil they have no right by treaty or
other law to control who may serve aboard an American flag vessel.

There are a couple of centuries of legal and military precedent to
support the right of American seaman to pursue their trade aboard
American flag vessels without interference from any foreign government.

If the USCG allows a seaman to hold a document and perform the duties of
a crewmember aboard an American flag vessel under the authority of that
document no foreign government has any right to amend that authority. We
have fought wars to defend the rights of American seamen to pursue their
trade.

Don't be in such a hurry to trash your own rights and our nation's
sovereignty.

Rick

Of dozens of trips to Canada I was only asked once, that was in Toronto
airport while on a business trip and was pulled aside for further
questioning about the purpose of my visit. I was granted entry under NAFTA
but was asked if I had a DUI or was convicted of a a misdemeanor or felony.
I said no, which was accurate and was allowed to enter, I am not sure if/how
they would check the validity of the response. I think this is a way to
deny entry to people they consider to be marginal and my guess is that it is
selectively enforced. Most of my experience is with the east coast I do
know from experience that they interpret the rules differently at
differently entry points, and it also comes down to the skill and discretion
of the agent.

Rick wrote in message ...
You would appear to be correct, though how they would actually find
out is beyond me.

"INADMISSIBLE CLASSES:

Members of Inadmissible Classes include those who have been convicted
of MINOR OFFENCES (including shoplifting, theft, assault, dangerous
driving, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of illegal
substances, etc.), or of INDICTABLE CRIMINAL OFFENCES (including
assault with a deadly weapon, manslaughter, etc.). As well, those who
have been convicted of DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED (DWI) are considered
Members of an Inadmissible Class. Driving while under the influence of
alcohol is regarded as an extremely serious offence in Canada."

From:
http://www.canadianembassy.org/immigration/inadmissible-en.asp

Joe wrote:
Why should they cry to High Heaven?

One who gets a DWI in an auto, IMO would be much more likely to get
drunk afloat at the helm.

And as a paid mariner that is to great of a risk.

Might be harsh for cruisers, but the canooks have enough to deal with
trying to keep all the locals in line.


Good thing President Bush doesn't go to Canada by boat when he visits there.

DSK

Jetcap wrote:
Joe wrote:

Why should they cry to High Heaven?

Because, while the Canadians have every right and authority to
stipulate
who may step ashore on Canadian soil they have no right by treaty or
other law to control who may serve aboard an American flag vessel.

They do if the said vessel unloads anything or tie to any Canada dock.

First thing I was tought at a young seaman is when your in a forien
land you are held to thier laws.

We should just ban any American ferries from landing in Canada or from
coming from Canada and kill off all money they make from our ships,
that will change thier tune in a heartbeat. Still they have a right to
make laws that apply to landing in Canada.

Just like we do not allow terrorist types on any ship that docks here
in America. We now check the crew manifest of every ship that unloads
anything

So the smart thing to do now if you want to hit the dock or landing in
Canaduh is to not get a DWI.

Joe



There are a couple of centuries of legal and military precedent to
support the right of American seaman to pursue their trade aboard
American flag vessels without interference from any foreign
government.

If the USCG allows a seaman to hold a document and perform the duties
of
a crewmember aboard an American flag vessel under the authority of
that
document no foreign government has any right to amend that authority.
We
have fought wars to defend the rights of American seamen to pursue
their
trade.

Don't be in such a hurry to trash your own rights and our nation's
sovereignty.

Rick

"Jetcap" wrote in message
It is amazing that the "policy" can be so different across the country. It
is incredible that the US government allows Washington State to ignore
international law and more amazing that the (admittedly few) crew who have
lost or been denied jobs aboard ferries on Canadian runs have not screamed
to high Heavens.

Rick

Oh Boo Hoo....

It's amazing you can grab a Canadian Citizen and ship them to another
country to be tortured... that's what's amazing! It's friggin' amazing no
Canadian can even enter the USA with a possession record for pot... let
alone DUI.... that's what's friggin' amazing!

Shut the **** up you ****in' cry babies!

CM

Same thing in reverse Bucko!!

Rick wrote in message ...
You would appear to be correct, though how they would actually find
out is beyond me.

"INADMISSIBLE CLASSES:

Members of Inadmissible Classes include those who have been convicted
of MINOR OFFENCES (including shoplifting, theft, assault, dangerous
driving, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of illegal
substances, etc.), or of INDICTABLE CRIMINAL OFFENCES (including
assault with a deadly weapon, manslaughter, etc.). As well, those who
have been convicted of DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED (DWI) are considered
Members of an Inadmissible Class. Driving while under the influence of
alcohol is regarded as an extremely serious offence in Canada."

From:
http://www.canadianembassy.org/immigration/inadmissible-en.asp