Going from U.S. to Canada and back by boat

[Donzi GT250]

Can anybody tell me the correct procedure for boating into Canada and back to the U.S. on Lake Erie?
Seems everybody I talk to has a different idea as to the correct legal procedures and no two are the same.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Going from U.S. to Canada and back by boat

You really should contact the Canadian Border office for this.

 

[JB]

Re: Going from U.S. to Canada and back by boat

Don't know about Lake Erie, Donzi, but on Lake Of The Woods you need a Remote Area Border Crossing Permit issued by Canadian immigration or you need to check in with Canadian officials by phone daily.

 

[joed]

Re: Going from U.S. to Canada and back by boat

There is currently a big controversy going on over this. Here is a quote and a ;ink.

http://bassfan.com/news_article.asp?id=4008

Please be advised that all private boaters are required to present themselves upon their arrival in Canada as legislated in subsection 11(1) of the Customs Act (CA), and subsection 18(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). This obligation exists regardless of their activities while outside of Canada or their planned activities while in Canada. Arrival in Canada occurs when the private boater crosses the international boundary into Canadian waters.

Private boaters who depart Canada and enter foreign waters and subsequently return to Canada, are obligated to present themselves to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) as per the above requirement. Foreign boaters entering Canadian waters are also required to report. This provision applies regardless of whether or not boaters drop anchor, land, enter an inland tributary or moor alongside another vessel while in Canadian waters.

The only exception to the above requirement applies to vessels that are ?in-transit? through Canada under subsection 11(5) of the CA. In order to be considered ?in-transit,? subsection 11(5) requires that the vessel must be proceeding directly from one point outside of Canada to another point outside of Canada. Accordingly, a vessel can be considered to be in-transit only if it is using the Canadian waters for the purpose of moving from one location abroad directly to another location abroad. Such movement could be for reasons of the shortest route, requirement of deep waters, evading obstacles such as bridges, etc.

In-transit movement must be continuous, uninterrupted and without delays or stopovers. Fishing, tubing, waterskiing, etc. do not constitute in-transit movements.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Going from U.S. to Canada and back by boat

You really should contact the Canadian Border office for this.

Also the US service on how to get back (unless you plan on staying) .

 

[seaman-recruit]

Re: Going from U.S. to Canada and back by boat

For those interested in checking the "official" rules on visiting our neighbors to the north, here are a couple of links:

Info on using the (Canadian) CANPASS system: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/canpass/menu-eng.html

Requirements if not using CANPASS: http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5061-eng.html

And when you return to our fine United States (I believe Customs still has funding to operate as of this writing )

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/boats/pleasure_boat_overview.xml

 

[JimS123]

Re: Going from U.S. to Canada and back by boat

"Official" rules, my butt. I boat on the eastern end of Erie, both ends of Ontario, plus the St. Lawrence River. My only Canadian encounters are with the province of Ontario. And of course, the US Coast Guard and Homeland Security.

Regardless of what the book says, the individual officers you meet will have their own version. Better take a passport along, plus a second photo ID. Ask me how I know! Well, OK, maybe it was just that one officer, but what if you meet him too?

I solved the problem by not going! There is nothing Canada has to offer that the US doesn't. If you must traverse into Canadian waters, just don't anchor or make landfall. And most importantly, don't raft (or hover as they call it) with another boat, no matter what flag the other boat is flying. And, be sure to have the 2 forms of photo ID.

 

[haley]

Re: Going from U.S. to Canada and back by boat

Is it less of a hassle to cross on land, launch in Canada and possibly stray into the US while afloat? I mean wouldn't that be "presenting" one's self to the authorities. I was hoping to get up to the 1000 Islands this year still.

Also, I believe Ontario requires a "Pleasure Craft Operator Card" (PCOC) or its equivalent now. I have a NY equivalent but am encouraging my son to take the onlines test for the PCOC.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Going from U.S. to Canada and back by boat

Is it less of a hassle to cross on land, launch in Canada and possibly stray into the US while afloat? I mean wouldn't that be "presenting" one's self to the authorities. I was hoping to get up to the 1000 Islands this year still.

Also, I believe Ontario requires a "Pleasure Craft Operator Card" (PCOC) or its equivalent now. I have a NY equivalent but am encouraging my son to take the onlines test for the PCOC.

Non-residents are exempt from the PCOC requirement if they boat in Canadian waters 45 days a year or less. So, if you are a transient boater and don't actually own a cottage in Canada or something like that, your NY approved card is all you need. That's per the Ontario website.

We baot in the 1000 Island every year and the Ontario Patrol boats never bother us. NYSP is another story....LOL.

Still best to have photo ID.

 

[DanMC]

Re: Going from U.S. to Canada and back by boat

Is it less of a hassle to cross on land, launch in Canada and possibly stray into the US while afloat? I mean wouldn't that be "presenting" one's self to the authorities. I was hoping to get up to the 1000 Islands this year still.

Also, I believe Ontario requires a "Pleasure Craft Operator Card" (PCOC) or its equivalent now. I have a NY equivalent but am encouraging my son to take the onlines test for the PCOC.

In Canada (i live in Canada) you are required by law the have an operator permit/licence. Now if you have a licence issued in America that will be valid/good up here in the Great White North just like mine issued in Canada is valid in America and Mexico also, so no worries but you should have a passport on hand.Now we Candians need to show passports to Americans...on land,air and water.I remember in the early nineties when i was able to go all the way from Canada thru America and to Mexico with just the driver's licence...how times have changed.
Dan