clearing in/out for a short stay

[pskudlarski]

We are about to do first longer cruise, planning to go from Grenada to St. Martin in 8 days. With so many islands and so little time I wonder what is the common practice in anchoring for a short stay such as couple hour or overnight.

I know the rules, but wonder how it works in practice, if one sails by let say Dominica, is it common to anchor overnight or stay for couple our to swim and snorkle and sail away without landing ashore and clearing in/out or is it a real no-no?

[denverd0n]

It's a real no-no. In every island nation that I know of in the Caribbean, if you stop for any reason -- no matter how short the stop -- the law requires you to check in. These are mostly (by U.S. standards) fairly poor countries, so the fees that they collect are important to them. As such, they are not much inclined to look the other way when people they perceive as "rich yachtsmen" violate their laws.


(I know, I know. You're not rich. Lots of cruisers aren't, really. Not by our standards. But that's the perception that exists, so you have to live with it.)

[belizesailor]

Illegal in most places. Enforcement varies. Practice: its not uncommon.

Going ashore is definately a bad idea anywhere...now you are blatantly in violation.

My perspective: in many venues you can likely get away with it, but if you do get busted the consequences could be severe. Is the risk worth it? Only you can answer that question.