GL: U.S. boats in Canadian waters

[bv]

I don't know what's going on with those numerous comments on "Canadian
waters". 

I've been sailing in Canadian waters for almost 50 years now. In all my
life, I've never seen the Canadian Coast Guard acting with the private
navigators as an agressive police or "toilect check". I've seen them as
helpers, and having fun to do so.

In Quebec City and around, many beginners get grounded by the tide in the
sands besides Orleans Island. You'll see a guy in a big zodiac with a smile
and a towing cable. No bill.

In Donnaconna, I was strugling against the current, the tide was against me,
a 6 kts boat against 5 kts tide. The little red boat came by and told me to
follow him. He knew how to get closer to the shore with enough water and
less current. That was before the era of GPS and digital maps.

In Rimouski in late september in the 90's, I was freezing my bones aboard an
old sailboat out of shape in a bad sea. No radio, no life vest, no nothing.
The not so little red boat came by, I was worried he would derelict the
boat. They just asked if I was having fun and handled me... a cup of Lipton
soup !

4 years ago, I was in the middle of the St-Lawrence river, in total fog. I
could only rely on my GPS. I called the Coast guard to check if there was
any traffic ahead of me. "No Sir, he said. You're the only one in the area.
You want me to guide you through destination ? I see you cristal clear on my
screen." And so he did, and for the rest of the afternoon, we were chatting
here and there.  

The only place I've been harassed by officials in all my maritime life was
in Lake Champlain on NY side. They checked everything on the boat, papers,
security, toilet, passport, even questionning what I was doing in US waters
and why I was not enjoying a Canadian lake or river. I couldn't be telling
the truth, I had to be guilty of something.

If you want peace and harmony on the water, I'd say, try the Canadian side.
You'll spend more time with ducks, geese, belugas (and flies and mosquitoes)
than black uniforms.

Bryan