U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District
Press Release
Date: April 21, 2005
Contact: PAO Mike Milne, Customs and Border Patrol
Phone: (206) 553-6944 Ext. 614
U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS FOR PLEASURE BOATERS
SEATTLE – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has implemented enhanced security procedures for small boats arriving in the United States from Canada. The new private boat clearance procedures are part of CBP’s comprehensive efforts to enhance security at our nation’s borders.
Private boaters will be required to report to specified ports of entry for inspection if they are not currently enrolled in a "trusted traveler" program. Only boaters participating in the I-68 or NEXUS/SENTRI programs will be allowed to report their arrivals by phone. Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) issued under the old Small Boat Reporting System are no longer valid. Participation in the trusted traveler programs requires the payment of a fee and passing a background check by CBP and Canadian authorities.
Participation in the I-68 program requires each applicant to appear in person for an interview at a Customs and Border Protection port of entry. Fees are $16 (US) for an individual or $32 (US) for a family. U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, Canadian citizens and Landed Immigrants of Canada who are nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries are eligible to apply for I-68 seasonal boating permits. Private boaters are encouraged to apply BEFORE attempting their first trip to expedite the border clearance process.
"These new procedures allow CBP the ability to carry out our twin goals of preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States, while at the same time facilitating legitimate travel and trade," said Thomas Hardy, Director of CBP’s Seattle Field Office. "Those boaters enrolled in our expedited travel programs will reap the benefits of our call-in inspection process."
The Pacific Northwest is one of the busiest international boating areas in the United States. These new procedures are designed to augment a myriad of security enhancements implemented by CBP at our borders since the terrorist attacks on America on 9/11/01.
Details of the new private boating international clearance procedures are outlined in the attached FACT SHEET. Boaters are encouraged to contact their nearest CBP office with questions regarding these new enhanced security procedures for boaters. Please refer to www.CBP.gov for the listing of the nearest CBP office. For information on the NEXUS program, please refer to www.nexus.gc.ca.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
VESSEL PERMITS & FINES
Permits must be displayed: The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office was recently on-site and noticed that the majority of vessels that are Canadian registered do not and have not displayed the required permit for an extended stay. (OVER 60 DAYS IN ANY 12-MONTH PERIOD)
Fines: A violation of the permit display requirement carries a fine of $190 U.S for the first offence and doubles thereafter.
Heads up: Please consider this as an educational bulletin, as they will be enforcing this statute in the near future.
Additional information can be obtained from: Stuart Smith, Deputy, Boating Safety Coordinator at 360-676-6650 or Washington Department of Licensing by calling 1-360-902-3770-option 5,or sending a fax to 1-360-902-4089. You may also email questions to titles@dol.wa.gov
2006: 2006 Tax Stickers are due July 1 for U.S. Vessels, pass due is a heavy fine also; these will also be enforced in near future.
YOU MUST HAVE A WASHINGTON TITLE, REGISTRATION AND REGISTRATION DECALS TO NAVIGATE, OPERATE, EMPLOY OR MOOR A VESSEL ON WASHINGTON’S WATERS. (OVER 60 DAYS IN ANY 12-MONTH PERIOD)
U.S. DOCUMENTED VESSELS MUST ALSO BE REGISTERED IN WASHINGTON, (MUST DISPLAY DECALS) BUT ARE NOT REQUIRED TO DISPLAY THE REGISTRATION NUMBER. (WN NUMBER).