COVID test to enter BC en route to Alaska ?

Sorry if this has already been covered on one of the various threads dealing with the WA to AK transit through BC this summer.

I plan to depart Friday Harbor late next week and clear into Canada in Sidney. My understanding - please correct me if I am wrong - is that I need to have proof of COVID vaccination and a recent (within 72 hours) negative PCR test.

I had planned on getting the PCR test in Friday Harbor. It turns out that that is not possible. I have also hit a dead end at getting a PCR test in Anacortes. I am told by the couple of facilities that I spoke with that they do not conduct testing for traveling purposes.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Is the test required? Where is the nearest location to Anacortes that you know of that offers the test for travel reasons?

Thanks

Kawini said:

Sorry if this has already been covered on one of the various threads dealing with the WA to AK transit through BC this summer.

I plan to depart Friday Harbor late next week and clear into Canada in Sidney. My understanding - please correct me if I am wrong - is that I need to have proof of COVID vaccination and a recent (within 72 hours) negative PCR test.

I had planned on getting the PCR test in Friday Harbor. It turns out that that is not possible. I have also hit a dead end at getting a PCR test in Anacortes. I am told by the couple of facilities that I spoke with that they do not conduct testing for traveling purposes.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Is the test required? Where is the nearest location to Anacortes that you know of that offers the test for travel reasons?

Thanks

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ASD (Alaskan SeaDuction) is or should be in Friday Harbor now, go over and introduce yourself. Tom and Kay can fill you in on all that is required. As I understand it, more than a Test is required to transit through BC.

Cheers

I think ASD is already in Canada. Maybe he’ll see this.

Not quite in Canada yet but really close.........

I hate to relitigate this, most of it has been covered in this thread already, started by ASD mentioned above: https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s3/crossing-u-s-canadian-border-pnw-57261.html

But, it's my understanding that if you are transiting Canadian waters by boat enroute to Alaska, a test or vaccination is neither required, nor will it help vis a vis their rules - at least for now. You will be taking care of necessities in a "contactless" manner and won't be ashore for any other reason.

Edit: this isn't to discourage testing or vaccination of course, but I don't think it is currently required by Canada except for land or air travel. It hadn't been required by Alaskan authorities for months now.

ASD arrived in Friday Harbor this afternoon at 15:38 and will be there for 4-5 days.

Crusty Chief said:

ASD arrived in Friday Harbor this afternoon at 15:38 and will be there for 4-5 days.

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How are you doing down your way, John?

Its friggin hot and humid! The crew to take Pairadice to Florida is expected in a few days, Tracey is longing for Hotel rooms, AC and room service. We will arrive in Ft Lauderdale o. The evening of the 12th and wait for Pairadice to arrive. We have a spot in S. Carolina to park her for a much needed boat break back home.
Hope you guys are able to enjoy a trip up north, I know its a hassel with the Covid thing, we have had our fair share of issue’s down here, but get out ther and enjoy cruising, dont let this monster slow down your life, its short enuff as it is, LOL
Cheers, John & Tracey

I totally spaced this. ASD (Tom) is not able to respond on the TF platform until June 1st as he is in TF Jail.

How did he end up in TF jail?

I’ll be in FH tomorrow!

Kawini said:

How did he end up in TF jail?

I’ll be in FH tomorrow!

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Kawini

There are a large number of US flags showing up on Marine Traffic, heading towards Alaska. That indicates a high success rate getting through the bureaucratic tangles at the border. The link above should get you there.

A willingness to restrict your contacts while in BC waters, to those that are essential, will go a long way towards keeping that window of opportunity open.

Please bear in mind that at this moment, and lasting until at least May 25th, BC residents have less freedom to go north than you will have, as we cannot leave our Health areas for non-essential travel. Between Sidney and Prince Rupert we can't cross over to the mainland side until it no longer puts us into the Vancouver Coastal Health area, nor can we go past Cape Caution, where the Northern Health Region (for the purpose of that restriction) begins.

There are almost zero Canadian flag pleasure vessels showing up past Cape Caution (several vessels in that area have too little information to know who they are, as there are areas without AIS VHF reception, so have no boat identification information)

Kawini said:

How did he end up in TF jail?

I’ll be in FH tomorrow!

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I dont know the specifics but I’m sure he can fill you in if you stop by.

When entering Alaska, please enjoy your time in our great state!
Please spend your money, as our tourism industry really took a hit last year, and will continue to do so because of the cruise ship cancellations this season.

We are completely open with no statewide restrictions.

All of our residents that want to receive any of the three vaccines on the market have been vaccinated. Those who choose not to be vaccinated of course need to protect themselves.

While you are here I am pretty sure anyone can just walk into any pharmacy that normally gives out flu shots and get a vaccine, again, your choice, we just want you to be safe using whatever protective measures you deem appropriate for your situation.

Kawini

He is parked with 50 feet of High Slack. ;-)

Hello,
We transited from Friday Harbor to Sidney to Prevost Island clearing customs on April 5th. We gave the customs agents our float plan and also showed them our vaccine cards. They were very happy to see vaccinated people coming thru and we’re told “Canada is a mess right now and fully shut down.” Since you will not be touching land until you get to US soil I don’t think you need a recent negative test if you are vaccinated. We were not asked to have one. I would recommend giving them your detailed float plan because they will be keeping an eye on you. Unfortunately some people have taken advantage of the open water boarders and “got lost” thinking it was okay to see Canada rather than use the waterway to get to Alaska. Agents are nice and respectful I suggest if you are the same way there will be no problem. Feel feee to private message me if you have any more questions I can help with. Safe travels.

Jdornick said:

.....Since you will not be touching land until you get to US soil I don’t think you need a recent negative test if you are vaccinated.....

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Joy, Just to clarify, In your case did you stop for fuel? Did you anchor? If you file an itinerary upon entry to Canada that has you stopping for fuel or anchoring (but staying on the boat), is that acceptable?

Ken E. said:

Joy, Just to clarify, In your case did you stop for fuel? Did you anchor? If you file an itinerary upon entry to Canada that has you stopping for fuel or anchoring (but staying on the boat), is that acceptable?

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We did not need to stop for fuel and only anchored out. It's my understanding that marinas aren't open to U.S. boats. If you need to get fuel I would include that in your float plan. We also filed a CAN Pass (it's an app) prior to arriving. Before we made our transit we also spoke to Canadian Customs several times over the phone with questions and they were more then happy to answer them. Their number is - 888-226-7277 Also here is a link to a blank float plan you can fill out and print to give to the agents. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.

https://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/download/USCGFloatPlan.pdf

You may stop for fuel, if you put that possibility in your written transit plan along with planned anchorages. Just now coming into KTN after 15 days in BC waters, anchoring every night. Follow their rules and it's not difficult. You do not need a negative test.

Glad you made it to Ketch, Richard.

Kawini said:

Sorry if this has already been covered on one of the various threads dealing with the WA to AK transit through BC this summer.

I plan to depart Friday Harbor late next week and clear into Canada in Sidney. My understanding - please correct me if I am wrong - is that I need to have proof of COVID vaccination and a recent (within 72 hours) negative PCR test.

I had planned on getting the PCR test in Friday Harbor. It turns out that that is not possible. I have also hit a dead end at getting a PCR test in Anacortes. I am told by the couple of facilities that I spoke with that they do not conduct testing for traveling purposes.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Is the test required? Where is the nearest location to Anacortes that you know of that offers the test for travel reasons?

Thanks

Click to expand...

Only a Captain can transit to Canada the border is closed by Car and Boat, you can fly but have to quarantine showing a negative covid test on arrival

Cartouche said:

Only a Captain can transit to Canada the border is closed by Car and Boat, you can fly but have to quarantine showing a negative covid test on arrival

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Apparently that's only on the East coast of Canada and the Welland canal requiring a captain. The West coast is wide open to pass on through. Makes no sense but them's the rules.

Cartouche said:

Only a Captain can transit to Canada the border is closed by Car and Boat, you can fly but have to quarantine showing a negative covid test on arrival

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Please see posts #5, 11 and 17 to clear up any uncertainties.
We have a great view of the traffic heading to SE AK that utilizes Houstoun Passage or Trincomali Channel. A few go right up Georgia Strait, so we only see them if they use AIS. I have never seen so many US flags heading up as are going past this year. I think it is going to be crowded like the San Juans in SE this season. It all seems to be working for you US guys.

Bear in mind that the privilege of transiting BC waters is a fragile thing, dependent upon your good behaviour, filing a float plan and sticking to it, avoiding contact with Canadians on the way, going right on through without being tourists while you are here.

Ironically, we Canadian boaters can't leave our Health districts yet this year. Hopefully that will change in a couple of weeks, provided Covid is beaten down enough.

Cartouche said:

Only a Captain can transit to Canada the border is closed by Car and Boat, you can fly but have to quarantine showing a negative covid test on arrival

Click to expand...

Mmm...not sure of your definition of Captain, but so long as it is "person in command of a boat" then you are correct :lol: The border is not closed to those transiting directly to Alaska, with some special requirements, as discussed here and on many other threads, and no Covid test and no vaccination is required to do so as of now.

koliver said:

I have never seen so many US flags heading up as are going past this year.

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Yes, that.
Quite amazing, actually. Since May 01, it's been a daily average of two dozen, or more; that are seen.

Interestingly, a NW Explorations flotilla of six, spent Saturday night tied to the floats in Port McNeill. No other US boat has done that...yet.

They played chicken with Cape Caution on Sunday morning, just sitting off Pine Island for a couple of hours.

They are repositioning for the SE AK summer flotillas, beginning May 18.