YPSS recommends that If you are a Canadian cruising in US waters, obtain a Cruising Permit even if your vessel is US registered. Ask US Border Patrol about the latest requirements concerning Cruising Permits.
The following is a brief description of the meeting held with Boyd Worley, Customs and Border Protection and members of the Yukon Power and Sail Squadron on May 5th, 2009.
- The Cruising permit will in all likelihood be issued in either Skagway or Haines at the border crossing port-of-entry., and will be issued for up to one year free of charge. You are required to keep the permit on board the vessel at all times as it shows that you have cleared customs and have the right to cruise in Alaskan waters.
- If you leave the vicinity of the port at which you entered, the master of the vessel is responsible to report to CBP at the next port (the numbers should be on the Cruising Permit) by telephone. The call will be recorded or answered and the requested information given.(Please see the wording on the bottom of the sample Cruising Permit posted here). So if you put in in Skagway and go to Haines, you should call Haines CBP (Dalton Cache out at 42-mile on the Haines Road at 907-767-5511) for example.
- If you are unable to make contact, then log the time, date and location where the attempt was made. Make contact at the next available time. We were assured that CBP would work with permit holders to ensure that they are able to cruise without difficulty and undue inconvenience.
- USCG is not responsible for the Cruising Permit although if you are boarded they will in all likelihood request to see the permit. US Fish and Game and State Troopers may ask to see the Permit as they are Peace Officers.
- It is your responsibility to have all other licenses, registrations and any other permits or documentation which may be required on your vessel at all times. The Cruising Permit does not replace any of these. (Example vessel License or registration documentation, radio licence, proof of citizenship).
- US registered vessels are not required to have a permit, although they can be obtained and you may wish to have one if you are a Canadian citizen.
-The Permit is issued and treated consistently and is valid at each port on subsequent re-entry.
-If you arrive in Alaska from Canada BY WATER, this is the only time a decal will be issued. The Customs officer will physically board your boat, fill out his arrival report and then have you apply for a boat user fee decal using a credit card. The decals come from Pennsylvania after the credit card application has been mailed there by the officer who boards the boat coming in from Canada, again by water. Cruisingpermits are only issued for coastwise (domestic) travel WITHIN Alaska and are invalid for an arrival BY WATER from Canada.
If you have any questions or difficulties with your entry to Alaska or during your cruise in Alaska, Mr. Worley invites you to call him directly @ 907-983-2325.
Please remember that you are a guest in Alaska and a Yukon ambassador. All CPS members are expected to be especially prudent as you have the privilege of flying the CPS pennant which shows a level of competence in boating and which entails responsibilities of conduct for the environment, fish and wildlife, in your contact with other boaters and with the authorities.
Please note that if you can print the information page and have it filled in before you get to Customs, it will help the Officers in issuing the permit.
Information Sheet and Sample cruising License
