Vessel Documentation and Safety—Your Coast Guard is Available To Help
Getting out on the water in your boat is a lot of fun, and just like with any vehicle you operate around others, there are border crossing and safety rules and regulations to follow so we can all stay safe and have fun. In addition, when you are crossing a border like our neighboring Canada, customs regulations are important. Once you know and understand what is needed and required, comply quickly and completely and then get on to the fun of boating!
To accomplish this, the Coast Guard is eager to help you become an informed boater. The more you know about the waters they protect, the easier their job becomes. When you think about it—we not only want to avoid bringing trouble or fines upon ourselves, we want the Coast Guard to be able to focus on the bad guys or assisting those in need! I’d certainly rather have them protecting us from bad actors and keeping us safe than worrying if we are complying with paperwork and licensing! They rescue us when we are in trouble, so let’s support them by being prepared the best we can to avoid needing that help.
Local Border Crossing Information to Know:
-
Arriving into the United States: 800-562-5943
-
Crossing into Canada: 800-461-9999
-
For a comprehensive tutorial full of U.S. San Juan Islands border crossing information, watch the first part of this 17-minute video: https://bit.ly/2Hre8QH (The last part of the video pertains to crossing into Alaska.) Salish Sea Pilot did a great job of keeping the information simple and easy to understand.
-
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Phone Number: 1-877-CBP-5511
Meet the Coast Guard in Person this May
The Coast Guard also make themselves available to help you out at public gatherings this time of year. Their next local outing is in May. You will find them at the SeaSkills 2018 and Blaine Rendezvous event, held in the Blaine Marina. You will find the Coast Guard at the guest dock.
This annual event, hosted by the Bellingham Sail and Power Squadron will be held May 11th through the 13th. The public is most welcome to attend. To learn more: http://www.boatingisfun.org/
This family-friendly event has activities including Marine Flare Demos, Fire Extinguisher Training and lots of mini-seminars on boating related topics. Food and other vendors will be on hand in the parking area throughout the day. There is no charge for this event with the exception of rides on the historic Plover Ferry. http://draytonharbormaritime.com/plover.html
Auxiliary Coast Guard Offers Free Inspections
The Auxiliary Coast Guard is also very active and provides many hours of service directly to the boating community. They perform courtesy inspections at no charge to any boater requesting one. We are proud to have some of these folks as members of Semiahmoo Marina! Hoyt Hatfield, one of our members and an officer in the Auxiliary USCG, provided his email address: hoythatfield@comcast.net and asks boaters to email him with any requests for a free Courtesy Inspection. In the past, they have been available at Semiahmoo Marina on opening day for inspections.
Most Vessels Require Cruising Licenses:
The Coast Guard makes things as easy as possible for you to get educated. As a first stop, you can get common questions answered at the Vessel Documentation Center FAQs: http://bit.ly/2FZgzJs Additionally, several exemptions from licensing are available. Vessels less than 16 feet long with a motor of 10 horsepower or less are exempt from licensing, for example. For all the details, exemptions, and clear instructions visit: http://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/registerboat.html You will find other links on the bottom of that page, like a calculator for boat registration fees, how to report the sale of a boat, and other resources.
Once you are licensed you still need to keep up with the requirements, as they are sometimes updated. Last year, this change to hull identification number (HIN) standards became effective January 1, 2017: All state titled vessels must have a 12-character HIN that meets federal standards as required by the Coast Guard. See Hull Identification Number (HIN) Display Instructions for the details.
Cruising Licenses and Notice of Arrival–Bringing Your Boat To The U.S. From Canada:
When bringing a Canadian vessel of over 300 GT across the border into the United States, you must first file a Notice of Arrival with the National Vessel Movement Center.
There has been some confusion by vessel operators concerning how “Cruising Licenses” issued by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) relate to the Notice of Arrival requirements. If you already have a Cruising License, you will still need to file a NOA with the NVMC. Your requirements may be reduced, but you will still need to file the NOA. Here’s a notice with more information about that, and links for further information: http://bit.ly/2FRozc9
For all questions you might have, the main Pleasure Boat Reporting Requirements information page for US Customs and Border Protection: https://bit.ly/2rRpMfM
If you have a Nexus pass, this can help facilitate your clearance with your boat, too. The link above has the details on that. It also explains how enrolling in the Small Vessel Reporting System can satisfy the boat operator’s legal requirement to report to a port-of-entry for face-to-face inspection. This is where you can learn about a Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit (I-68,) which allows boaters to enter the U.S for the entire season, with only a telephone call upon their arrival.
You Can Help
The Coast Guard’s America’s Waterway Watch Program is a national program that provides a way for citizens to who work, live, or recreate on or near the water to report suspicious activity that might indicate threats to our country’s homeland security. Anyone observing suspicious activity is asked to contact the National Response Center’s Hotline at 877-24WATCH. (Of course for immediate danger to life or property call 911)
Further References and Information:
National Vessel Movement Center
Email Address:
Questions/Inquiries
sans@nvmc.uscg.gov
XML/Infopath and Excel Submissions
enoad@nvmc.uscg.gov
Technical Support
techsupport@nvmc.uscg.gov
Phone Number:
1-800-708-9823 or 1-304-264-2502
Fax Number:
1-800-547-8724 or 1-304-264-2684
USCG NOA Regulation & Related Questions
Email Address:
NVMC_Regulatory@uscg.mil