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.