"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in message
news:Tphgd.80761$hj.42925@fed1read07...
Here is some corespondence between a Canadian sailor and the US Ambasador
to
Canada and other authorities.
http://www.internationalchallenge.org/cuba/whatsnew.htm

The jist from the US State Department is: "a Canadian crew aboard a
Canadian
vessel traveling through American waters with no intent to carry funds or
commerce to the Cuban people is "at risk" of removal from their vessel and
seizure of their boat. The U.S. Coast Guard would be operating within
their
legal jurisdiction if they were to take such action...even for vessels
that
are clearly noncommercial."

What that really means is that, by executive order of the President, if
the
USCG suspects that you may go to Cuba even after visiting another country
if
you have been in US waters they can sieze your boat ANYWHERE they find
you.

Actually the two letters only mention seizure while in US waters. The US
would be violating a lot of international laws if it started unilaterlly
seizing boats in international waters.

--
Evan Gatehouse

you'll have to rewrite my email address to get to me
ceilydh AT 3web dot net
(fools the spammers)

On Thu, 28 Oct 2004 22:05:37 -0700, "Evan Gatehouse"
wrote:

Actually the two letters only mention seizure while in US waters. The US
would be violating a lot of international laws if it started unilaterlly
seizing boats in international waters.

======================

It's a long way from Canada to Cuba without going through US waters.

On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 02:35:33 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Thu, 28 Oct 2004 22:05:37 -0700, "Evan Gatehouse"
wrote:

Actually the two letters only mention seizure while in US waters. The US
would be violating a lot of international laws if it started unilaterlly
seizing boats in international waters.

======================

It's a long way from Canada to Cuba without going through US waters.

Yeah, but it's an even longer swim if the Coasties think your boat is
worth seizing because you smoked a cigar on the foredeck. Forget it. I
will not sail near America until regime change brings an end to the
terrorism.

Oopsie, did I say that? G

R.

"Evan Gatehouse" wrote in message
...
..

Actually the two letters only mention seizure while in US waters. The US
would be violating a lot of international laws if it started unilaterlly
seizing boats in international waters.

You would logically think so but the US has had a treaty with the Bahamas
allowing the USCG enforcement powers in Bahamian waters since 1996. The
original intent was drug interdiction but the agreement is no longer
restricted to just that. Just after the directive was issued the US signed
agreements with the Bahamas and Haiti expanding USCG enforcement powers in
the waters of both nations. Given the high reguard that the US currently
has for international relations and the rather liberal (dare I use that
word) interpretations that DOD and Justice Department lawyers are giving to
international law, seizing foreign flagged vessels was not much of a
stretch.

Actually the USCG has been boarding foreign flagged boats in the Caribbean
for some time. Back in 2000 I was crewing on a French boat being delivered
from Tortola to Grand Cayman when we were boarded about 3AM. We were about
30 miles south of Isla Beata, DR. We figured it was not right but were not
willing to argue with the cannon on the foredeck.

You could probably get the boat returned after apealing but it would still
put a big crimp in the cruise.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

Evan,
And when has that stopped them in the past.
Paul

"Evan Gatehouse" wrote in message
...
snipped

Actually the two letters only mention seizure while in US waters. The US
would be violating a lot of international laws if it started unilaterlly
seizing boats in international waters.

--
Evan Gatehouse

Why does everyone seem to want to go to Cuba?? Isn't there any other islands
worth visiting? Or is it just because someone said you can't go?

Subject: Cuba
From: "Phil"

Why does everyone seem to want to go to Cuba?? Isn't there any other islands
worth visiting? Or is it just because someone said you can't go?



Once you go, maybe you'll get it.


Capt. Bill

This might be of interest

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...336EDT0840.DTL

A judge dismissed charges Friday against organizers of a sailboat race
from Key West to Cuba who were accused of violating federal laws
against trading with enemy nations.

Jack

__________________________________________________
Jack Dale
Swiftsure Sailing Academy
Director/ISPA and CYA Instructor
http://www.swiftsuresailing.com
Phone: 1 (877) 470-SAIL (toll free)
__________________________________________________

Jack Dale wrote in
:

This might be of interest

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl.../2004/10/29/na
tional2336EDT0840.DTL

A judge dismissed charges Friday against organizers of a sailboat race
from Key West to Cuba who were accused of violating federal laws
against trading with enemy nations.

I just wonder how much it cost them to defend themselves...

-- Geoff

It is not over yet. The charges were dismissed "without prejudice" which
means the government is still able to dream up another offence to charge
them with.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Jack Dale" wrote in message
...
This might be of interest


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...336EDT0840.DTL

A judge dismissed charges Friday against organizers of a sailboat race
from Key West to Cuba who were accused of violating federal laws
against trading with enemy nations.

Jack

__________________________________________________
Jack Dale
Swiftsure Sailing Academy
Director/ISPA and CYA Instructor
http://www.swiftsuresailing.com
Phone: 1 (877) 470-SAIL (toll free)
__________________________________________________