An interesting read, a good time not to fly, and in the “Really, WTF?” department…
The other day, we’d rowed over to the marina to get some water. While there, another couple on a catamaran were topping off before sailing to Bonaire that evening. We asked them how they were clearing out and they told us that they were a USA boat and did not have to clear out or need a zarpe.
The other day, we’d rowed over to the marina to get some water. While there, another couple on a catamaran were topping off before sailing to Bonaire that evening. We asked them how they were clearing out of the USVI and they told us that they were a USA boat and did not have to clear out or need a zarpe.
Which struck me as funny as a few days before, there had been several similar opinions on a cruising forum pretty much saying the same thing.
Our experience is that border and immigration folks are sticklers where requirements are concerned. So much so, that they sometimes even make up more requirements and hoops for you to jump through. This is why we always triple check the requirements and never, ever take advice given on the internet or in a bar.
Which is not to say that the US Border folks will want to issue you clearance papers because it’s work they’d rather not do. That said, if you don’t have the right bit of paper you just might have a big problem with the border officer in the country you’re trying to enter.
You might even make his or her day.
Do your homework and check it twice…