immigration check in

[Nomad Willy]

AK Prof,
If Poets Cove is the same as Egeria Bay in Bedwell Harbour then yes.
So glad it's still functional. Almost always enter Canada via boat there.
Thanks

[CDreamer]

Just a personal opinion but I really think "the ugly American" reputation is still alive and well in many foreign countries - perhaps more at their government's levels than the general populace. So nobody's real interested in helping us out with official stuff.

However, in 2015 my buddy and I were going to the Detroit Auto Show. The hotels were all booked so we reserved a room in Windsor. During the "shakedown" at the border, one of the Mounties asked where we were staying in Windsor. It was formerly an Intercontinental but had recently changed names and our paperwork was in our rental car, which was being searched by a very earnest Belgian Malanois at that moment. She - the Mountie, not the dog - didn't recognize the new hotel name* so she said, "Hey Jimmy! Do you know a hotel around here called (whatever it was)?"
Jimmy comes out from the back, looks at us +50 year olds, grins and says, "What is it...some kinda hourly joint?"

I still think that was funny. It lightened the mood.

(Jimbo knew of the hotel's name change so we were released into the cold Windsor night.)

Unnecessary - but Perhaps More Entertaining Part of Story:

We get to the hotel - a nice enough high rise - and two very interesting but decidedly underdressed ... ermm..."ladies" get on the elevator. I said, "Aren't you ladies chilly?" (It was late January). They giggled and said, "No, we always come by cab so we're mostly inside." I thought that was a practical approach...travel light.

Anyhow, when they got off the elevator my friend looks at me and says, "What is this? Some kinda hourly joint?"

The auto show was first rate.

* Full disclosure: I don't really know if the dog recognized the hotel's name or not.

[DCBD]

Regarding entering Canada with a DUI history, I think there is no set time that it goes away. I think if you don't get "forgiveness" you will be turned back. It's also not likely that a Canadian with a DUI history will be granted entry to the US. For us we have to wait 5 years and apply for a pardon, once that's granted we should be able to enter the US.

I hate to think that "the ugly American" reputation is relevant coming into Canada. Just remember that all border officials are individuals that have good days and bad days. Some are going to bust your balls and some are going to be reasonable, it's just life and I doubt that it's personal. Just have your documents in order and hope for the best.

[mbevins]

I live in Windsor, I had a Tech coming in from Chicago with parts to rebuild one of my laser cutting machines. Machine was down a week, guys were laid off, no personal available in Ontario to service it.
We prearranged all the Tech's paper work so all he had to do was show up at the border, which he did. Unfortunately for us the overzealous CDA CUSTOMS agent dug a little deeper when he presented his passport.
Turns out he had an underage DUI when he was 18. He was 42 when this occurred.

There was no way they were letting him into the country. I had to drive over and get the product out of his truck and deliver it to my Michigan office while he returned to Chicago.

The machine was down another 10 days while we found another Tech.
They could care less about the the 15 guys that were laid off waiting for repairs to the machine.

[Bacchus]

Originally Posted by what_barnacles

so seattle to vancouver and back requires a passport? say it aint so....

Some states...NY is one and I believe WA is another issue enhanced driver licenses that are accepted boating or driving.
A couple other points I don't think were mentioned...

Nexis must be held by all aboard...not just owner

US also requires a decal (forget exact name) for vessels over 30 ft when returning to US...another way to collect a fee??

[Lepke]

As others have said, Nexus makes it easy. With or without it, I have never had a issue crossing between the US and Canada. Everyone on board has to have a Nexus card or you have to stop and do the usual. Some people can't get Nexus cards, and some can't go into Canada. No criminal convictions including DUI.

[markpierce]

When I've entered Canada, they ask if you have any firearms or fruit. When re-entering the USA, they just ask about fruit. Yes, a passport is needed for international travel.

[BruceK]

Is the problem the old offence itself,or failing to disclose it when a form requires it? Often lying about something is regarded as worse than having done it.

[markpierce]

Non-disclosure is evidence to deceive. Initial disclosure is evidence of ignorance of the law.

[CDreamer]

This is an ad by an immigration attorney. There may be parts of it that are over blown, but the description of the ways to get forgiveness or get into Canada are well-written. From what understand from other sources, it's almost impossible to "Do it Yourself". Just too complicated.

http://www.canadaduientrylaw.com

[markpierce]

Don't need an attorney if wanting to cross national borders unless one has a criminal background.

[FootballFan]

Last two summers (2016, 2017) we have done bare boat charters in the Pacific NW.


Our experience has been entry into larger ports. Entering CA there will be a customs dock. Often times it will not be attended, a sign which says to call from the phone on the dock.


Only the captain is allowed off the boat (crew docking assistance is fine, but they must return immediately to the boat).


On the phone with CA officials they go through several questions: Boat Documentation information, Passport #'s of everyone on board. Questions about fruits with seeds, amount of Alcohol, etc. On the phone 10-15 minutes. At the conclusion you are given a clearance number and instructed to display the number on the boat while you are in Canadian waters.


Returning to the US. Multiple ports of entry, easy to find.


Same docking rules, only the captain can be off the boat. Have seen Custom's staff come out of the office and tell crew to get back on the boat.


Captain goes inside with Boat Documentation and passports. In general more questions were asked on the US side than the CA side (I am ok with that).


Not painful at all.

[CDreamer]

That was the discussion...what if you have a DUI in the States, how long the issue will cause problems, what are the options to fix it, etc.

The OP was asking about border entry...I didn't mean to hi jack the thread earlier but the DUI thing can trump having every correct form for Customs, when going into Canada. It got a discussion going.

[markpierce]

Strange. One arrives on a boat and one is questioned about their automobile driving history.

[markpierce]

The world questions the fairness of USA's immigration policy, while it's much more liberal in practice and contrary to the country's law than most any other country. Wish the USA could be as restrictive to immigration as Canada and Mexico.

[Lou_tribal]

Originally Posted by markpierce

Strange. One arrives on a boat and one is questioned about their automobile driving history.

In fact it is simpler than that and not a question of transportation.
If you have any criminal record you cannot cross the border, whatever the record is, and DUI is a criminal record.

L

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by AKDoug

...apparently they $ell something called "forgiveness" for his past sins, it sounds like the lawyers get mo$t of the money...

Made me think of back in the day, when Catholic priests would sell "indulgences."

[Benthic2]

Thanks for posting the link to the legal info. They are really strict about this. Wow.

[Ski in NC]

Just a related question: Someone (who will remain nameless) runs his boat to the Bahamas, checks in, passport stamped, then spends like ten days cruising around on his boat. Comes back to the states solo and arrives in a smaller port town and calls the 1-800 customs number and leaves a message with name, passport number, boat name, boat doc number and cell phone number. Asks for further instructions to clear. No return call from customs at all. Boat owner thought it strange, but just continued on his business.

Thoughts?

[CDreamer]

Originally Posted by Ski in NC

Just a related question: Someone (who will remain nameless) runs his boat to the Bahamas, checks in, passport stamped, then spends like ten days cruising around on his boat. Comes back to the states solo and arrives in a smaller port town and calls the 1-800 customs number and leaves a message with name, passport number, boat name, boat doc number and cell phone number. Asks for further instructions to clear. No return call from customs at all. Boat owner thought it strange, but just continued on his business.

Thoughts?

I once took a girl to Cozumel for a week. It ended a lot like that.