Cruising in Shared/Adjoining US and CA Waters

[sunchaser]

I noticed the same. She is literally in view of both the car crossing, the giant peace arch monument and everything. If a nervous person in a car lane wanted to get out, sneak around the border and get back in on the other side, this is exactly where you would go.

Sorry, but this gal shares 90% of the blame. Funny how such an obvious aspect to the story is basically not mentioned. It’s as if a normal person could easily find themselves in this situation...I don’t think so. This is just such an obvious straw man article, giving permission to those who are already looking for an excuse for outrage. That’s your real story here.

For those of us who frequent this populated and heavily patrolled area, +1

 

[Benthic2]

So she may not be all that bright. Lack of common sense should not be punishable by 14 days in jail.

Copies of her passport could have been obtained electronically.

She could have been turned over to a local LEO on the Canadian side who took her back to where her documents were. If she was jogging, that wouldn't be much more than a few miles.

Whoever she was visiting could have brought the documents to her...again...they weren't that far away.

This should easily have been resolved in a matter of hours, not weeks.

 

[dhays]

So she may not be all that bright. Lack of common sense should not be punishable by 14 days in jail.

Copies of her passport could have been obtained electronically.

She could have been turned over to a local LEO on the Canadian side who took her back to where her documents were. If she was jogging, that wouldn't be much more than a few miles.

Whoever she was visiting could have brought the documents to her...again...they weren't that far away.

This should easily have been resolved in a matter of hours, not weeks.

A lot about this story that I don't know, but I tend to agree with you. She definitely should have been stopped and detained. As others have noted, I'm familiar with that area and it is pretty incredulous to think she could have crossed inadvertently. However, some people (even runners) really are that oblivious to their surroundings.



Seems ridiculous that it couldn't have gotten sorted out rather quickly. Sounds like some over officious folks forget about their primary mission and were more concerned with exercising their power.

 

[Tuttouomo]

Our recent experience

My wife and I, both Nexus card holders have just returned from a 7 week trip to the Broughtons. Upon leaving Stuart Island ,US . We crossed into Canada and called into their phone center for Nexus holders. My wife answered all the agents questions, provided him with with all the pertinent info and received a Canadian clearance #, and was told that we were " good to go".
She immediately posted the clearance # in our window as instructed.
Two days later as we were crossing the Straight of Georgia, with 3 other boats, that checked into Bedwell, as they were not Nexus holders, we were approached by a fast,black inflatable marked "Fisheries". They stopped the last boat in the line and checked for fishing licenses, as they were dragging lures.
Then they pulled up to us and notified that they were coming aboard. Three very intimidating "swat" officers boarded us.
For the next hour and quarter, we were questioned together and separately, the boat was searched and nothing found. The were impolite, and continually tried to trip us up with their questioning. At the end, they informed us that they could confiscate our Nexus cards and escort us to the border if they chose to do so.
Asking for an explanation, as to what our offense was, we were informed that we should have checked into the first port of entry, even with the clearance that we received. The boarding agent said that the phone agent chose poor terminology, when he said that we were "good to go", and really meant to say that we were "good to go to the next port" !
Not a pleasant experience, and we were always cordial, polite and cooperative.

Bill

 

[tiltrider1]

A lot about this story that I don't know, but I tend to agree with you. She definitely should have been stopped and detained. As others have noted, I'm familiar with that area and it is pretty incredulous to think she could have crossed inadvertently. However, some people (even runners) really are that oblivious to their surroundings.



Seems ridiculous that it couldn't have gotten sorted out rather quickly. Sounds like some over officious folks forget about their primary mission and were more concerned with exercising their power.

I know the area, she couldn’t have gotten to the beach with out driving past signs about the US boarder. Then it had to be a low tide to get around the fence and finally this is a nasty mud flat, not a very runnable place. More likely she got out of a car and tried to jog into the USA. Add to this no documents, when she finally produced documents the Canadian’s weren’t sure if they wanted her back. Boarder patrol was just doing its job, don’t blame them because the news tried to spin this.

 

[sunchaser]

So she may not be all that bright. Lack of common sense should not be punishable by 14 days in jail.

Copies of her passport could have been obtained electronically.

She could have been turned over to a local LEO on the Canadian side who took her back to where her documents were. If she was jogging, that wouldn't be much more than a few miles.

Whoever she was visiting could have brought the documents to her...again...they weren't that far away.

This should easily have been resolved in a matter of hours, not weeks.

The US and Canadian guys are hand in glove on this border. Hard to know the real facts. Sure seems fishy about her jogging story and location choice. Trying to make a statement? One thing for sure, she intentionally tested the system. But in this open border political era lots of knickers get in a twist as evidenced by these posts.

I’ve crossed dozens of borders around the world and have never found the event one of love and bouquets.

 

[BandB]

Boarder patrol was just doing its job, .

Oh those words. Just doing their job. Words loved by many, but there are many different ways of one doing their jobs. The reality is that tensions are higher and it's being reflected in hundreds of ways every day. They're just doing their jobs in the disputed waters between the US and Canada, but doing their jobs in a far different way than they were a year ago and harassing a lot of fishermen who don't deserve to be victims of a border dispute.

To the OP, yes, things are different and one must be extra cautious. You see it reflected in entry to both countries and in waters between, even on roads. We had friends just enter Canada on Hwy 1. It was pleasant and easy enough but far more vehicles being pulled aside on both sides of the border than you would have seen previously and many cleared and had complaints regarding the process, whether justified or not.

The relationship of the US with other countries is very tense at this time and that reflects in the approaches taken by agents. Even the jokes made by customs officials reflect what is going on. These are all people just doing their jobs but with new directives in how to do them.

 

[tiltrider1]

Asking for an explanation, as to what our offense was, we were informed that we should have checked into the first port of entry, even with the clearance that we received. The boarding agent said that the phone agent chose poor terminology, when he said that we were "good to go", and really meant to say that we were "good to go to the next port" !
Not a pleasant experience, and we were always cordial, polite and cooperative.

Bill

Using a Nexus card means you know the rules. In clearing by phone you gave a destination port for final clearance and a time that you would arrive. If you can’t make your time you are required to phone in again and make a new time. If after arriving there are no custom agents you are free to continue. Did you skip your check in stop? If you did and got caught then you were really lucky.

 

[tiltrider1]

Bandb, yes the directive has changed. The rules are being followed much more aggressively. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen the boarder tighten up. Every time the boarder tightens up people who have been getting away with breaking the rules get caught and then cry foul(I am not speaking of the Seal Island situation as I have no knowledge of the situation). I am speaking to how news gets reported, blames boarder officials of wrong doing when in fact the so called victims were in fact breaking the law.

 

[Tuttouomo]

I guess that it was my bad. Good to go was mis interpreted by us.

Bill

 

[CanadianBoater]

In 1994 when I bought my first boat, a used 16' Smoker craft with 70hp Mercury, I was fishing away with friends and my then GF and future wife. Now this boat was low tech, had 1 instrument in the dash, a tachometer. Even more low tech than the boat, was the boat driver, who was me. I knew so little about boating then it is scary when I think back. Crossed the imaginary line to the south of Vancouver island, and got boarded by the US Coast guard. More so for fishing in the USA without a license than anything. With no clue that I was not still in Canada, and nobody onboard had a fishing license for the USA, we were asked to reel in the two lines we had out. A very friendly chat, a quick look for anything illegal, nothing found, I was politely asked to make my way north back to Canada was all. It was drama free, friendly and professional. Pretty sure they were thinking to themselves those sure are six dumb Canadians, but they didn't say it. In today's climate I'm not sure what the outcome would be if the same thing happened. No I wasn't near land, but we were fishing, and I had incomplete safety equipment on the boat. We all had a lifejacket on, and that was about it except for beer, water, and snacks.

 

[Rebel112r]

The agencies patrolling the Washington side of the border, often work together. Recently inspected by San Juan County sheriff. There was also a homeland security officer traveling with them. All armed, homeland officer also had magazine for some kind of rifle on his belt, weapon must have been stowed aboard. Have seen fisheries traveling with CG. You might get lucky and get all of them. I think Tutt got a raw deal. If he was given a # and told he was good to go. I have only been boarded once on the water, but have been approached and talked to 10 times or more. Never in Canada.

 

[sunchaser]

I guess that it was my bad. Good to go was mis interpreted by us Bill

I’d guess the Canadian guys had you spotted and were waiting before you reached Bedwell.

A few months ago we were crossing into US from BC Canada and cleared customs by phone. The US Customs guy asked for coordinates which we provided. He then said “OK I’ve gotcha, what is your next port of call?” We went there within 30 minutes.

The rules are not complicated, don’t mess with them though. Lest we forget, these guys are trying to prevent the next 911 or worse.

 

[nwboater]

Unfortubate misunderstanding: reporting into CA custom using Nexus offers no particular advantage — you must always provide ETA to the designated port of entry,, then sit at the dock for 10-20 minutes. If no customs officers arrive, you are free to depart. That is the correct entry routine, even withNexus. Returning to USA is easier...just call the 800 # answer questions and you are usually cleared to proceed. Btw, to qualify for Nexus reentry — Every Person on the vessel (not just skipper) must have their own Nexus card.

 

[Painless]

Many administrations ago

I was fishing outside the Golden Gate up above Duxbury with two 10 year old boys and another friend on a second boat with us.
One of the kids got seasick so I radioed my friend and told him I was going back inside the gate where it wasn’t so rough. A few minutes later my friend radioed back he had hit something with his outdrive and could only idle back inside
I told him I would wait in the Bay for him and if he ran into trouble call me and I would tow him back in. This was before Sea Tow etc.
I went over to the bait barge and got a small scoop of live bait to do something while waiting for my friend.
20 minutes later I had two Coast Guard boats, one RIB alongside and another 100 feet away with Swat gear coming aboard and a 50 caliber on the bow of the other.
Full inspection etc.
They thought I had gone offshore to a “mothership” to return with drugs etc.
They were very business like but inspected every nook and locker even with two small boys aboard.
I was in the Coast Guard in 1966 -72 so I was talking with them and they lightened up.
So it’s not just recent nor this administration that has been on alert.

 

[boatpoker]

Nothing gray about it. Maritime law allows for free transient passage. But as soon as you go to shore or drop anchor, you have entered the country and need to go through the entry process. So you could run from WA to AK without checking into Canada provided you run non-stop.

Please cite that "maritime law".

 

[Roamer Blue]

There is definitely a change in the mood/behaviour of the CBP at the Niagara land crossings.



If you want no trouble, best to get one's socks pulled up, many have relied too heavily on friendly officer discretion for way too long.



Fervent enforcement has arrived, just follow the rules. Beware the officer who encourages the old status quo, to lessen the workload, it's his enthusiastic buddy that is going to nail you.

 

[friz]

News is not always reported accurately. The French girl was not jogging down some nice sandy beach that just happened to cross the boarder with no signs. You can’t get to we’re she was easily. There is a fence and signs but at lower low water you can easily find a 100’ of beach but you are only 500’ from the boarder station. She could see all the cars lined up going through customs, she knew she was close to the border and yet she jogged into the US by accident. Of course the boarder patrol picked her up, she just illegally entered the country (even if she was a US citizen it was an illeagle entry). Now they have a person with no ID claiming to be French and claiming it was an accidental crossing (isn’t that exactly what some one sneaking across the boarder would claim). Then it took 3 days to get here travel papers to the US and 11 more for both Canada and the US to figure out were to send her. It’s very possible Canada didn’t want here back after all she is not Canadian and worse she is guilty of immigration violations.

Thank you for a very plausible 'the rest of the story". Much news reporting is based on bias, sensationalism and omission. Apparently CBC is not immune.

 

[MurrayM]

Heads up to those Canadians crossing into the US who have invested in legal pot companies, even legal US companies:

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/why-investing-in-pot-could-pose-problems-at-the-u-s-border-1.4011813

A further complication may be if you buy pot at a legal Canadian store this fall with your credit card, the US could use that information at the border...then you're in a catch 22...admit to pot use and get banned, or get banned for lying.

Now for the boat specific part...if you are already in a US port with your boat, will you be allowed to leave with your boat or could it be confiscated?

 

[tiltrider1]

The minute you think pot is legal in Washington state you have made a mistake. Washington State law does make allowances for pot. Federal law makes no allowances. Washington State won’t enforce federal pot laws. The Feds(customs, immigrations, border patrol, homeland security, coast guard) do enforce federal law.

I also suspect there is more to this story. It’s very likely the feds have been watching this individual for other crimes and this was the only one they could prove. Thousands of Canadians cross the border daily and never get questioned beyond, were are you going, how long are you staying, do you have anything to declare. How did this guy get pulled over and interviewed for 4 hours. Something triggered the pull over.

 

[boatpoker]

Thank you for a very plausible 'the rest of the story". Much news reporting is based on bias, sensationalism and omission. Apparently CBC is not immune.

Not immune ! They invented bias and omission.

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Unfortubate misunderstanding: reporting into CA custom using Nexus offers no particular advantage — you must always provide ETA to the designated port of entry,, then sit at the dock for 10-20 minutes. If no customs officers arrive, you are free to depart. That is the correct entry routine, even withNexus. Returning to USA is easier...just call the 800 # answer questions and you are usually cleared to proceed. Btw, to qualify for Nexus reentry — Every Person on the vessel (not just skipper) must have their own Nexus card.

I was told by Canadian Customs that if there are no officers on the dock at your ETA, then you are free to depart. We always arrive 5 minutes before our stated ETA.

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Heads up to those Canadians crossing into the US who have invested in legal pot companies, even legal US companies:

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/why-investing-in-pot-could-pose-problems-at-the-u-s-border-1.4011813

A further complication may be if you buy pot at a legal Canadian store this fall with your credit card, the US could use that information at the border...then you're in a catch 22...admit to pot use and get banned, or get banned for lying.

Now for the boat specific part...if you are already in a US port with your boat, will you be allowed to leave with your boat or could it be confiscated?

Mis-stated. Pot may be legal in the State of Washington, HOWEVER as soon as you let your lines go on the dock and you have pot on board, you are now in violation of federal law.

 

[Retriever]

We just had a somewhat unpleasant experience clearing into Canada at Prince Rupert.

We (two boats, all aboard have (or maybe had) NEXUS) called in and cleared into Prince Rupert. Neither of us told the Customs officer on the phone where specifically we were going in Prince Rupert, and they didn't ask. The officers on the phone gave us clearance numbers like usual, we posted them, and thought we were told we were good to go. Since we arrived at 11:15 p.m. (our reported ETA), after the marina staff had gone home for the night and we didn't have slip assignments, we anchored for the night in Pillsbury Cove, in Prince Rupert Harbor.

The next day we dinghied to town to get all the items we couldn't bring across the border...produce, booze, etc. Then we headed south.

A few hours later, VTS called us and said we needed to call customs in Rupert. We called...the the officer that answered asked if we cleared, we gave clearance numbers. They seemed confused. Then we got transferred to someone else, who said we did everything wrong. He said you can't clear by NEXUS by phone, but need to call from the phone at the Customs dock (clearly not the actual policy). He seemed confused and frustrated that someone gave us clearance numbers without confirming that we were supposed to go to a specific place in Prince Rupert. Since we had clearance numbers, he didn't make us go three hours back to Rupert, but he said we'd have a mark on our file and should allow extra time for future border crossings.

BTW, they seem to be tracking boats on AIS.

After more research, we're both kind of wrong and kind of right. There are six docks listed for NEXUS clearance in Prince Rupert. Why didn't the officer who gave us clearance numbers ask which one we were going to? Or indicate we'd need to go to one of them? We simply said we were arriving in Prince Rupert and we thought we were cleared into Prince Rupert.

As NEXUS holders, we apparently should have been more proactive about knowing the specific clearance locations. BUT, down south, there is a lot of ambiguity. Ganges Harbour, for instance, is listed as a port of entry, with no details on where you're supposed to wait for a customs officer...

We apologized profusely, thanked the officers for allowing us to continue, and will allow extra time at the border in the future. And we'll confirm with the officer on the phone the specific time and place they want us to wait for an officer to inspect the boat and at what point, if we see no officer, we can continue our voyage.

 

[tiltrider1]

Many of you are abusing your nexus privlages and you are going to loose them. Canada has a list of nexus ports and each port calls out a specific dock. As a nexus holder you have already signed an agreement with both governments that you know the rules and will abide by them. As for Ganges it calls out the public dock used by the sea planes. This eliminates Ganges marina, Salt Spring marina, the port of Ganges and the second public dock.

 

[Retriever]

Many of you are abusing your nexus privlages and you are going to loose them. Canada has a list of nexus ports and each port calls out a specific dock. As a nexus holder you have already signed an agreement with both governments that you know the rules and will abide by them. As for Ganges it calls out the public dock used by the sea planes. This eliminates Ganges marina, Salt Spring marina, the port of Ganges and the second public dock.

Here's the list: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/services/nexusmarine-nexusmaritime-eng.html

Incidentally, it's pretty clear in Prince Rupert, where we screwed up. I just wish when I'd said "Prince Rupert" on the phone the officer would have clarified where I could/should go. They deal with this every day and I thought they'd be explicit if they wanted me to go to a specific dock in a city with dozens of docks (six of which are NEXUS clearance locations). Next time I'll ask...or just go to the lighering dock and clear the normal way.

The dock you're supposed to go to in Ganges is not at all clear from this website: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/offices-bureaux/1244-eng.html

It doesn't help that the map function on their website seems to be broken.

From my own experience, the people at the call center are no more knowledgable than the website. I've asked several times what dock I'm supposed to visit in Ganges and they've never known. Who told you it's the floatplane dock?

 

[tiltrider1]

I agree, their site is broken. It used to give a discription of the dock. Now they have switched to a map and clearly the map does not work.

 

[friz]

Heads up to those Canadians crossing into the US who have invested in legal pot companies, even legal US companies:

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/why-investing-in-pot-could-pose-problems-at-the-u-s-border-1.4011813

A further complication may be if you buy pot at a legal Canadian store this fall with your credit card, the US could use that information at the border...then you're in a catch 22...admit to pot use and get banned, or get banned for lying.

Now for the boat specific part...if you are already in a US port with your boat, will you be allowed to leave with your boat or could it be confiscated?

The sky is falling in! The sky is falling in! The referenced ctv news piece does not once mention credit cards. Do you believe your credit card statements will be available at border crossings? Alarmist or sarcastic.

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

When reporting into PR (Nexis) we always use the Lightering Dock for customs.

 

[CanadianBoater]

The minute you think pot is legal in Washington state you have made a mistake. Washington State law does make allowances for pot. Federal law makes no allowances. Washington State won’t enforce federal pot laws. The Feds(customs, immigrations, border patrol, homeland security, coast guard) do enforce federal law.

I also suspect there is more to this story. It’s very likely the feds have been watching this individual for other crimes and this was the only one they could prove. Thousands of Canadians cross the border daily and never get questioned beyond, were are you going, how long are you staying, do you have anything to declare. How did this guy get pulled over and interviewed for 4 hours. Something triggered the pull over.

True.
I cross the border a minimum of 5 times a year, and that would be a slow year. Drove down a week ago to Seattle with my daughter, and questioned for maybe 20 seconds between the two of us.
Longest ever was told to park once and car inspection and us questioned took at most 10 minutes
Said we were a random search.
I've driven down I would say well over 200 times in total the last 30 years. After my wife passed away, it would sometimes take a minute or two as they checked to be sure I wasn't kidnapping my young daughter.