Crossing U.S. and Canadian Border PNW

The friendliest place on the web for anyone who enjoys boating.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
See posts with no answers
Alaskan Sea-Duction

Alaskan Sea-Duction

Guru
Joined
Jul 6, 2012
Messages
8,058
Location
USA
Vessel Name
Alaskan Sea-Duction
Vessel Make
1988 M/Y Camargue YachtFisher
 
Actual Crossing and Innocent Passage

I also received an email from a friend of mine that shared his experience in the past few days crossing the border and heading north.


Hi everybody,

I spoke with CBSA yesterday, (as I do at least once a week)...

Between last spring & now I have made +/-40 trips back/forth across the border as an “essential worker”.

However, every time I am there, or speak with them on the phone I bring up the question below, “Can private boaters transit the inside of Vancouver Island to Alaska?”

The answer is yes. (As of yesterday afternoon 3/26/21).

The important verbiage to remember is “Innocent Passage”. There is a loophole in what the last CBSA officer I spoke with referred to as international law.

Innocent Passage allows vessels to anchor/fuel/provision as necessary/safe.

The officer recommended Googling “Innocent Passage” and you can find the directive which she read to me on the phone.

CBSA highly recommends checking in at your first possible chance, having a float plan with daily itinerary, anchorages, miles capable of being traveled x day, total range of boat with current fuel load, amount of days vessel can go without re-provisioning, etc...
This route must be the quickest possible route...

As you all know, when you check in with CBSA, you will receive your “check in #”.... hang on to it, put it in the window because you will more than likely be stopped by RCMP during your transit.

Just be friendly, give them any info requested & your CBSA entry #.

(I have had about 15 run-ins with RCMP & they have always been very friendly & easy to work with)

I hope this helps, feel free to reach out with any questions.

Devin Zwick
Nordhavn NorthWest (Anacortes)
360-209-9780
 
Another Email and Crossing

Althea is now safely anchored in Nanoose Harbor, about 15 nm N. of Nanaimo.

We crossed the border two days ago. Pretty much used all the suggestions contained already in this link. We had float plan outlining the purpose of our trip, anticipated stops, fuel supply, food supply, etc etc.

The border folks were at first stand offish and then VERY friendly and helpful. Explained what was expected of us and..... that they want us to be safe. So, anchor where you must. Stop for fuel or supplies or help if you need to. They also explained that RCMP might check us out as well. So... I am anticipating that that will happen. They took down our AIS "number" so.... they will be tracking us.

I should add that qe had called in the day prior to crossing the border, while at Reid Harbor. Screening questions were asked and answered. The fellow on the phone, who I think was in Ottowa explained that the local agents would make final decision as to whether or not we would be allowed through. We also used the arriveCam app, which I think helped move things along.

Last night, we spent the night at Silva Bay because gabriolla pass slack time was more favorable than Dodd Narrows. We left early yesterday morning to head north, hoping to get to Comox. But it was blowing! Also got some tide vs. wind action and it was rough in the straits. Boat handled it fine but it wasn't fun at all, so we pulled into Nanoose Harbor. There really is much between Nanaimo and Comox. Nanoose Bay is "controlled" by Winchelsea (sp) operations. We called them on channel 10 and they gave us permission to anchor in the harbor.

Wind calmed down last night. Seems favorable for passage to comox (or beyond) today.

It is so beautiful up here..... and.... it is frustrating to be looking out at folks walkng on a long, sandy beach with clamming shovels and buckets..... and not be able to join in. However, I am really thankful to the Canadians for allowing us to pass through in these strange times.

Peace

Jim and Paige Dietz
 
ASD Escorts

Preparations are being made for your safe passage. :popcorn:

war canoes.jpg
 
Tom, you are getting me excited about reading your posts when you actually start out on this trip.
 
Thank you for posting. Very helpful info.
 
So were in Van Isle marina is customs? On the end by the fuel dock? I have never been there.
 
Please keep posting daily, if you can of course. Planning my journey north to AK as well, and they are very informative, given the border issues, etc. Thanks and Safe journey!
 
Came to Nexus user, may apply to all
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) would like to provide you with two updates.
First, the CBSA would like to inform you that, in an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, there have been changes to reporting requirements for travellers arriving in Canada. As of February 22, 2021, all travellers arriving by land or air must submit their travel and contact information electronically via ArriveCAN before or when crossing the border or boarding a flight. This requirement also applies to individuals on exempt travel and NEXUS members. In addition to travel and contact information, ArriveCAN allows travellers to submit a quarantine plan and COVID-19 symptom self-assessments as required.
ArriveCAN is available to download as a mobile app through the App Store or Google Play, or you can create an account and sign in online.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for sharing.

They don't mention entering by water/vessel. Doesn't apply? I don't know.

This is one of the issues folks have encountered when looking at "transient through." The rules are kind of vague.

Example, see below, it only deals with those entering Canada by land or air. Nothing about boats. So as of today, the rules I posted for vessels are still in effect.
 
Last edited:
Use ArriveCAN: Submit travel information to enter Canada ...https://www.canada.ca › coronavirus-disease-covid-19
Apr. 1, 2021 — ArriveCAN isn't mandatory if you're travelling to Canada by marine. However, you're strongly encouraged to submit your travel information ...
 
Soo-Valley said:
Use ArriveCAN: Submit travel information to enter Canada ...https://www.canada.ca › coronavirus-disease-covid-19
Apr. 1, 2021 — ArriveCAN isn't mandatory if you're travelling to Canada by marine. However, you're strongly encouraged to submit your travel information ...
Click to expand...
Nice. Thanks for sharing.
 
I downloaded the app. They ask mode of travel. I selected marine. The next page informs me that my status will be determined by the on-site border agent.

It continues any further supplied personal information is only for the Canadian government collection to determine the spread of COVID.

So I will wait until I see the agent.
 
And I thought we had it rough down here south of Mexico, Mandatory insurance, Covid testing, Dr. visits and high entry fee’s. Hell, a few boats got stopped for not flying the Nicaragua flag even though they never entered there waters. The Nic Navy collected there fee, $10 maybe more and pocketed it, no receipt. At least you guys are meeting friendly RCMP.
Best wish’s for a smooth and safe passage!
Cheers, Mvpairadice
 
According to Marine Traffic there are a few U.S. flagged pleasure boats making their way north.

Atlhea is heading north just off of PR heading to Dixon Entrance.
 
Soo-Valley said:
Bite your tongue. Proudly hiding the obvious. Not true patriots. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Dang that hurts!!!

I fly mine proudly as do the Canadians fly theirs.

If I feel froggy, I also fly the Alaska or USAF flag.
 
The one thing Canadians love is their Maple Leaf....I admire that.
 
Alaskan Sea-Duction said:
I downloaded the app. They ask mode of travel. I selected marine. The next page informs me that my status will be determined by the on-site border agent.

It continues any further supplied personal information is only for the Canadian government collection to determine the spread of COVID.

So I will wait until I see the agent.
Click to expand...

Interesting that your use of the app contained a mode of travel that allowed you to select "marine". When I used the ArriveCAN URL on the WWW from my PC, there was no "mode of travel" indicating "marine" available for selection. Thus, the only way I could obtain my ArriveCAN receipt was to enter a dummy street address in Canada, where I would quarantine upon arrival. Obviously, my intent is to quarantine on my boat, which doesn't have a physical address. It'll be interesting to see what the local (probably Nanaimo) CBSA agent says when I present an ArriveCAN receipt with a local address for quarantine, when I obviously desire to quarantine aboard my boat.

So did your ArriveCAN application actually return a "receipt" (as mine did)? Or did the application simply not complete, and issue the statement "...status will be determined by the on-site border agent."?

Confusing, given the lack of a definitive statement anywhere in the CBSA information stating that an ArriveCAN "receipt" is actually required for marine travel.

Regards,

Pete
 
jungpeter said:
Interesting that your use of the app contained a mode of travel that allowed you to select "marine". When I used the ArriveCAN URL on the WWW from my PC, there was no "mode of travel" indicating "marine" available for selection. Thus, the only way I could obtain my ArriveCAN receipt was to enter a dummy street address in Canada, where I would quarantine upon arrival. Obviously, my intent is to quarantine on my boat, which doesn't have a physical address. It'll be interesting to see what the local (probably Nanaimo) CBSA agent says when I present an ArriveCAN receipt with a local address for quarantine, when I obviously desire to quarantine aboard my boat.

So did your ArriveCAN application actually return a "receipt" (as mine did)? Or did the application simply not complete, and issue the statement "...status will be determined by the on-site border agent."?

Confusing, given the lack of a definitive statement anywhere in the CBSA information stating that an ArriveCAN "receipt" is actually required for marine travel.

Regards,

Pete
Click to expand...

I did not get a receipt either, but at that point I did not continue on the app as the on-site agent will make the final decision.

soin2la said:
Sorry to go against Tomipedia, but Canadians have more than one love and the maple leaf isn't anywhere near the top of the list.:ermm:
Click to expand...

Well there is hockey too!! Go Oilers!!!!:eek::thumb:
 
Althea

Looks Althea is making is making their way across Dixon Entrance. Nice weather too.
 
soin2la said:
Maybe US flagged, but 4 went through Queen Charlotte Strait with no flags.
Click to expand...

Last summer, 100% of the US boats we saw, not many, who were transiting to or from AK, were keeping their identity under wraps, likely only to limit the attention they would draw had they flow their own flag. I do not expect this year to be any different.
 
soin2la said:
Sorry to go against Tomipedia, but Canadians have more than one love and the maple leaf isn't anywhere near the top of the list.:ermm:
Click to expand...

You are so correct! There is more than a flag to be a true Canadian....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

HeadedToTexas
Can I anchor in Canadian water?
3 4 5
Replies
123
Views
12K
backinblue
backinblue
Alaskan Sea-Duction
Canadian Customs Requirements Relaxed
Replies
16
Views
1K
BandB
BandB

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom