On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:19:12 -0700 (PDT), blubaju
wrote:

Hello Roger,

well in the US there is a ruling almost as bad and ONLY against
foreign visiting yacht, a ruling that lets you think you ended up in
North Vietnam, China or Russia at cold war days, but it is newly
implemented by Homeland Security.

US-yachts in Europe are entitled for a 18 months stay, the skipper
secured a Schengen Visa and is free to move within all Schengen treaty
countries, generally speaking, that is entire EU without GB (not
exactly, but from a sailors view)

A EU-registered yacht visiting US must report in advance, undergo a
security screening that let's you feel being a criminal AND - and this
is the point - must report at every harbor master wherever she wants
to anchor or dock en route. Even when staying in the same area, every
movement must be reported in advance, the fines are more than heavy, I
read US$ 5.000 for the first offense, doubling for the next.

http://www.noonsite.com/Members/doina/R2008-02-07-1

Many EU-yachts do not take the risk and burden and wait for better
days. I wanted to sail round Pacific next year, starting Far East, but
wasting so much time with daily reports keeps me away, despite many
friends waiting in Southern California.

Seems Osama Bin Laden has won, US is frightened to death, I am sorry
to say.

Henry

On Jul 25, 7:08*pm, "Roger Long" wrote:
"Bil Hansen" wrote
........*If it had passed, it probably would have been
enforced against visiting yachts because they don't vote.

--
Roger Long

Agreed!!

We spent time and money obtaining 10 year US visas in Madrid before we
found out about the restrictions.

One of our dreams was to sail up the east coast of the US and explore.

The regulations and restrictions as well as the potential stress of
being treated like a suspected criminal changed our plans entirely.

cheers
Peter