Sailing in the US

[boatpoker]

My brother crosses the border at Buffalo in his motorhome and proceeds to spend six months at a time exploring your beautiful country without any further contact with officialdom

These rules for boats have been in place for decades but widely ignored (by both parties). It's only in the last year that things have gone sour.

[Oceansailor]

Originally Posted by jeepbluetj

I'm with Jim. As a USA citizen, I'm embarrassed by the hassle/insanity the bureaucracy is giving to visitors that should be warmly welcomed, particularly Canadians. (since we're neighbors and all)

I cannot, however, do anything about it except buy y'all a beer if you end up in socal.

Hi,

Thanks for all the information. Every time arrive in the US by plane and have to stand in line for up to 90 minutes to go thru boarder control I’m amazed how rude and inefficient the welcoming is.

I do travel a lot and to be quiet honest in no other country I have had this unfriendly welcoming. And believe me I have been in many strange countries.

So why go there you might ask?

Because Americans in general are the most friendly and welcoming people I have met. So please do not feel embarrassed!

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Oceansailor

Thanks for all the information. Every time arrive in the US by plane and have to stand in line for up to 90 minutes to go thru boarder control I’m amazed how rude and inefficient the welcoming is.

Don't let this detail make you feel unwelcome. I'm a US citizen and often wait just as long at the airport when I fly back home from overseas.

Originally Posted by Oceansailor

I do travel a lot and to be quiet honest in no other country I have had this unfriendly welcoming. And believe me I have been in many strange countries.

I used to travel a lot for business, mainly Europe. Almost everywhere I found the customs and immigration to be not exactly rude but not very polite nor welcoming at all with one exception, Ireland. Flew into Dublin airport and the officials were happy, smiling and seemed actually glad to see me.

[agb512]

You can always complain to your congressman.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by agb512

You can always complain to your congressman.

That might work if your last name was Pfizer or General Dynamics

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by agb512

You can always complain to your congressman.

I've friends who are forever calling their congressman. I tell them bitching is not actually doing something, it's bitching. Not that I know what to do, but mouthing off to some polisci aide doesn't make me feel better or accomplish anything. May as well just call it what it is, customer service, someone paid to smile while ignoring you.

[carstenb]

guys, over the past 35 years, I've flown into the us more times than I can count (or remember), My experience is that the immigration authorities in Washington DC are rude and ungracious beyond belief - and therefore I refuse to fly into wahsington. But everywhere else, I've encountered no real issues - if I'm polite and smile - so do they.

The CPB people I spoken to the phone to report coastal movement have, without exception been at least, very professional. Most have been friendly and wished us a good trip.

But I always address them correctly and politely, give them our cruising license number and have any other data they might ask for at hand.
Usually the only other data they ask for is how many people are on the boat and where are we.

If I say "at anchor somewhere near beaufort NC - they say "thank you" and have no other questions. Once in while they will ask where we come from adn here we are going - but if I tell them where we were the last night beofre entering their sector, they are happy and if I say, we're not really sure of where we are going, but we are heading south, they are alos happy with that.

At no time have they badgered me for more detailed information