It would be nice if this program sticks and worked.

We have Nexus and it works great but a lot of times coming back to the US we have people aboard without Nexus and that takes the fun out of it.

Low key...the head marine customs guy lives in my sub. (Ironically the marine sheriff lives by me too..) Talk him at the bus stop. He doesn’t foresee this taking off. They won’t be changing any of their policies in regards to this.

On a side note. They just busted a smuggling ring in Algonac

 

Low key...the head marine customs guy lives in my sub. (Ironically the marine shariff lives by me too..) Talk him at the bus stop. He doesn’t foresee this taking off. They won’t be changing any of their policies in regards to this.

Damn it!... I guess in this case ..draining the swamp would do us more harm than good.

 

It’s up and running in Florida and so far the feedback from users seems positive. CBP has been talking it up enthusiastically, so absent any outside influences it looks good for wider roll out.

 

I've been enrolled with the Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS) https://svrs.cbp.dhs.gov/Default.aspx for six years now and find the system very convenient for our trips to the Bahamas. File a float plan with CBP, enjoy the Bahamas, and make a phone call to CBP when return. The issue is if your guests are not enrolled in SVRS they must physically clear in at the nearest port of entry; which makes sense.
Sea Gull - I can not see where the ROAM or the use of a mobile app is implemented for Florida and the Bahamas. Can you point me to the resource?

 

Unless of course you are caught impaired driving then forget entering Canada. Always ask your guests about their history before trying to cross the border

 

Good advice. Or any crime for that matter. One little blemish other than say a traffic ticket makes you inadmissible to Canada. And if you don’t disclose even that and they see it, they’re liable to deny entry. I always find it really easy to go to the US (the US customs guys are always pretty cool) then for whatever reason going back the CBSA guys are almost always dicks ..and I live in Canada.

 

I downloaded the Mobile Passport app for re-entry from a cruise ship in the event I couldn't locate or use a Global Entry lane. I encouraged my friends to also get it.

I wasn't surprised when the officials at Port Everglades ignored the app, and Global Entry and treated everyone like cattle, as usual.

I've had too many disappointing border experiences to be anything but cynical at this point.

 

It’s sad that Canada has become so unfriendly. From a boaters point of view being able to freely cross the border would provide incredible boat trips here in the Great Lakes as well as the Pacific North West

 

I disagree ..we go to Canada to various locations all summer and never ever had a problem calling in before landing. Typically we use passports... occasionally if just my wife and I we will use our Nexus.
The hard part is getting back in the states (except Nexus). They always want to board every single time...so we are stuck on the boat waiting for them to drive up from Detroit... we have called ahead and still seem to wait... maybe we are just unlucky coming back

 

Yes, BR number for me and the guys that went along, you list them one at a time in the app. And we didn’t have an associated float plan filed. Just filed our return to US on the app. I think you can do float plans on the app too but we didn’t know about the app till we got back and called the SVRS number and were told they don’t take them over the phone anymore, must use the app as of a few weeks ago.

 

So let's have a discussion about what you need to go to the Canadian ports and return home. I haven't done it in years, but with the new boat, We're thinking about Sarnia. We have Nexus cards and I have the DTOPS sticker. What else do I need, and what is the procedure on each end?

 

If everyone on the boat has nexus before you dock call Canadian customs Nexus 866-996-3987.
Returning to USA call 313-393-3949 (Monroe to south of self ridge air base) about a half hour from your USA port.
I have never been asked for the sticker number but I have it in case. You call a half hour early because they will drive up from Detroit to inspect you even with nexus.