GL: Help

[Jeg607@aol.com]

Dadi and Denise,
 
The process is really quite easy:
 
Upon your arrival into US waters, your will be clearing Customs and  
Immigration. At that time, you will be able to get a 12 month Cruising Permit,  since 
you are not (presumably) US citizens, and in a foreign-flagged vessel. US  
citizens with foreign-flagged vessels can get only a 6 month Permit. I believe  
this service is still free of charge.
 
This Permit will allow you to cruise in US waters, cross over into Canada  
(where no Permit is required to cruise in their waters) and back into the US  
later.
 
The only "problem" with the 12 month Permit is that to re-apply for another  
permit, the boat has to physically leave US waters, actually land in a foreign 
 state (and be able to prove it) and stay out of US waters for 15 days. This  
departure/staying away time must be over the expiration date of the original  
Permit. After the 15 days, you can return to US waters and obtain another 12  
month Permit. Depending on your travel schedule, you may be able to 
accomplish  this while you are cruising in Canada or stored the boat there for a period 
of  time over the expiration date of your Cruising Permit.
 
An added note: If you want to sell the vessel in the US, you have to make a  
formal US Customs entry into the country and pay duty on the boat.
 
Call US Customs in Palm Beach (Lake Worth) Florida at 561-844-1703 if  you 
want clarification on this matter. Unfortunately, the most  knowledgeable US 
Customs agent in that office, Tony Gregarios, has  retired, I believe. Try asking 
for him anyway. The worst that will happen is  that you will be talking to 
his replacement. 
 
Good luck.
 
Regards,
 
John
 
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 12/3/2006 2:47:18 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
SkipperBob@att.net writes:

Dadi and  Denise,

I cannot answer any of your questions concerning doing the  Great Circle Loop 
as a foreign national.  Frankly as fast as our current  immigration laws are 
changing I am not sure anyone can tell you in  advance.  I suspect you will 
get something like a 6 month cruising  permit.  I don't know if you can get one 
for a year, but perhaps you can  request an extension.  I suggest you limit 
your questions on this matter  to the Immigration Authorities once you arrive.  
Anything anyone else may  tell you will likely be wrong or viewed as wrong by 
the Immigration  Authorities.