I'm not familiar with "recreational" boating requirements for sailing to
a "foreign" port, but any commercial operation is required to "clear
foreign" with Customs/Immigration prior to departure, so I'm wondering
what the difference is, here?

otn

Reading the commentary to date suggests that one not actually leaving the US
(that is, intentionally departing to foreign shores) and not entering
(intentionally or not) Cuban waters is exempt from this stuff?

Conversely, anyone intentionally departing (such as for Mexico, Bahamas or
Bermuda, common destinations from US ports, or, very commonly, USVI to BVI)
has to declare such departure, somehow?

Not of immediate interest, but certainly of proximate interest, as we'll
have to leave FL once we splash, and we'll most likely go either to Mexico
or Bahamas to be able to document such departure to the FL DOR within the 30
days allowed...

L8R

Skip and Lydia


--
Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig
http://tinyurl.com/384p2

"And then again, when you sit at the helm of your little ship on a
clear night, and gaze at the countless stars overhead, and realize
that you are quite alone on a great, wide sea, it is apt to occur to
you that in the general scheme of things you are merely an
insignificant speck on the surface of the ocean; and are not nearly
so important or as self-sufficient as you thought you were. Which is
an exceedingly wholesome thought, and one that may effect a
permanent change in your deportment that will be greatly appreciated
by your friends." - James S. Pitkin

"krj" wrote in message
. ..
The Coast Guard unveiled new restrictions Thursday for U.S. recreational
vessels traveling to Cuba, changing its focus from preventing
international incidents in Cuban waters to tightening the economic
embargo against the island.

The original restrictions were created by then-President Bill Clinton
after two exile group planes were shot down over international waters in
February 1996, hoping to avoid a similar situation.

....The new restrictions, part of the Bush administration's crackdown on
travel to Cuba, prevent boaters from leaving any part of the United
States without first getting a permit, not just from the Coast Guard,
but also from the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments.

It no longer matters whether boat operators intend to enter Cuban
waters, Coast Guard Lt. Tony Russell said. Anyone who does so without a
permit will be in violation of U.S. policy, he said.

Coast Guard officials say boaters who violate the new rules could be
fined up to $10,000 on the spot. Violators caught without a permit could
later receive a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for each day they were in
violation.

They also could be jailed and have their vessels confiscated by the
federal government.

"If you choose to ignore these regulations, there's a good chance you'll
be caught," Russell said.

In Texas the State has jurisdiction out 3 miles. If you are more that 3
miles offshore you are out of the state, but the line for the US goes out
into the Gulf of Mexico until it borders Mexican waters and that is........
not sure exactly, but over 150 miles offshore. The US / Mexican border runs
straight out from where the Rio Grand river spills into the Gulf of Mexico.
I know, because I commercial fished along the line 20 years ago and Mexican
gun boats ran along the line looking for boats that floated across that line
staying by their fishing gear as it drifted. They would confiscate your
boat, gear, crew and you and throw you in jail, until your family could pay
some ungodly $200,000 fine or more, depending on how nice your boat was and
how much they thought your family might have. I would have rotted there.

Not sure how far it extends out in the Atlantic or Pacific. I know there are
no international water in the Gulf of Mexico though.

Sea Yawl,
John

If there are any drilling rigs within a few hundred miles of the East or
West coast, my bet is they extended the US border to include it so it could
be taxed!

Next time they fly over have your crew dress in Arab garb and wrap a towel
around their head and then you can talk and visit with the Coast Guard in
person and give them a tour of your boat. You might even get a tow back.

I don't know what the limit on the Pacific Coast is... 3 miles I thought,
but when we were off San Diego about 200 miles, we were overflown
by a CG search and rescue. Clearly, they knew were there and came
over for a look-see.

"Jonathan Ganz" wrote

but when we were off San Diego about 200 miles, we were followed
by a CG search and rescue. Clearly, they knew my sailing abilities.

I don't know what the limit on the Pacific Coast is... 3 miles I thought,
but when we were off San Diego about 200 miles, we were overflown
by a CG search and rescue. Clearly, they knew were there and came
over for a look-see.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"FamilySailor" wrote in message
...
In Texas the State has jurisdiction out 3 miles. If you are more that 3
miles offshore you are out of the state, but the line for the US goes out
into the Gulf of Mexico until it borders Mexican waters and that
is........
not sure exactly, but over 150 miles offshore. The US / Mexican border
runs
straight out from where the Rio Grand river spills into the Gulf of
Mexico.
I know, because I commercial fished along the line 20 years ago and
Mexican
gun boats ran along the line looking for boats that floated across that
line
staying by their fishing gear as it drifted. They would confiscate your
boat, gear, crew and you and throw you in jail, until your family could
pay
some ungodly $200,000 fine or more, depending on how nice your boat was
and
how much they thought your family might have. I would have rotted there.

Not sure how far it extends out in the Atlantic or Pacific. I know there
are
no international water in the Gulf of Mexico though.

Sea Yawl,
John

Thanks! The story doesn't provide a direct link to the directive in
question, though -- guess I'll have to hunt for it.

--
Karin Conover-Lewis
Fair and Balanced since 1959
klc dot lewis at centurytel dot net


"krj" wrote in message
.. .
The link is:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/loc...sfla-news-cuba
krj

Thanks Glenn -- having trouble calling-up the article, but I'll keep trying.

--
Karin Conover-Lewis
Fair and Balanced since 1959
klc dot lewis at centurytel dot net


"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in message
news:gfzHc.2146$ri.8@lakeread04...
Here is the Federal Register article. Not quite as bad as it sounded at
first but still underhanded the way it was done without public comment
and no warning. Read the first paragraph under "Regulatory Information".


http://frwebgate1.access.gpo.gov/cgi...i on=retrieve

In article , "Karin Conover-Lewis" wrote:
Thanks Glenn -- having trouble calling-up the article, but I'll keep trying.


I can't view the page either.