T&T: Reentry from Bahamas

[Milt Baker]

Hi Greg,

Following is a piece than ran about a year ago in The Triton, a Fort
Lauderdale newspaper for megayacht crew, aboard Customs and Border Patrol's
Boater Registration Program.  Register once (each crewmember must register)
and get a registration number from CPB and you can check in by phone no matter
where you enter.  I called and made an appointment to register at Port
Everglades found the process of registering there was painless and took less
than half an hour.  Of course, you must still have a Customs sticker for your
boat.

Good luck!

--Milt Baker, Nordhavn 47 Bluewater, Fort Lauderdale



New CBP program makes it possible to clear in by phone
Jan 25, 2007 by Lucy-Chabot-Reed

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has created a program that may let U.S.
boaters, once cleared and given a number, clear through customs and
immigration by phone.

"It allows the individual not to come in for a face-to-face inspection with
immigration," said Agent Gustavo Gama, who is in charge of the Local Boater
Option program at Port Everglades. "Once theybve been identified over the
phone, they are told whether to present themselves or not."

The Local Boater Option (LBO) program can be used by any U.S. citizen or legal
permanent resident. They must register for the program and are given a Boater
Registration (BR) number. Registration requires proof of citizenship (a
passport) and registration information about their vessel. One megayacht
brought its entire crew in for numbers in late January, Gama said.

"U.S. citizens shouldnbt be treated as regular visitors when they come in,"
Gama said, in explaining why the agency adopted the program. The idea actually
came from suggestions from the boating public eager to ease some of the
clearing-in requirements.

While having a BR number may grant easier entry, it does not guarantee it.
Mariners may still be required to present themselves, Gama said.

Capt. John Wampler, who is a contract captain and operates various vessels
between Florida and the Bahamas, said he did not have to provide specific boat
information in obtaining his BR number. Gama confirmed that there are no
restrictions to the program based on type, size or number of vessels under a
masterbs command, only that the mariner be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
and pass the background check.

Started in October, the program has signed nearly 2,000 boaters in Port
Everglades and the Port of Miami, reducing traffic in the immigration offices,
Gama said.

Obtaining a BR number takes about 15-20 minutes, according to two captains who
have recently obtained one. There is no fee. Appointments are recommended and
can be made in Port Everglades by calling 1-954-761-2000 or 2004.

A number obtained in Port Everglades is valid in any port of entry in Florida,
Gama said. Other jurisdictions may require separate clearance numbers.
Herebs the document CBP gives participants in the program:

"The master of a pleasure boat arriving from foreign is required to contact
CBP via telephone immediately upon arrival (pursuant to 19 CFR 4.2 and 8 CFR
235.1) and make an oral declaration for themselves and all passengers on the
boat concerning any goods purchased or acquired while abroad (19 CFR 148.11
and 148.12). The master is also required to report in-person at the nearest
port-of-entry (POE) within 24 hours to submit the necessary documentation to
verify identity and lawful immigration status (pursuant to 8 USC 1321 and
1323).

"The LBO will allow you as a participant, under certain circumstances, to
telephonically report the arrival of your vessel, make customs declarations,
and submit any necessary additional information, and [you] may be cleared
without a face-to-face inspection. Please note that the immigration status and
citizenship must be valid and participants must possess appropriate valid
immigration and identity documents at all times.

"Any passengers who are onboard an arriving vessel and have not previously
elected to participate in the LBO program will be required to report to the
appropriate POE for a face-to-face inspection. Although the participating
master will not be required to report with the non-participant, the master is
legally responsible for ensuring the non-participants present themselves to
CBP for a face-to-face inspection, and failure to comply with this requirement
may be subject to penalties.

"During future arrivals, the master must contact CBP immediately upon arrival
and provide their BR number and may be asked to provide other identifying
information. Based on the information provided, CBP will verify that the
master and occupants of the vessel are LBO participants and determine whether
the masterbs report satisfies inspection requirements or whether further
inspection is necessary. CBP reserves the right to board and inspect any small
pleasure vessel and its occupants arriving from any foreign port or place and
will conduct random inspections of LBO participants."

END