As a Canadian, each time I enter the US, as I understand it, I am allowed to stay for 183 days without a visa of some kind allowing me to stay longer. The 183 day limit applies on each fresh entry, not cumulatively. I would expect that Belgian and Dutch citizens would have similar rules. There are, of course, as has been pointed out, other considerations, such as tax and medical insurance coverage, which may involve other time limits. Note that there can be some complications in showing no intent to immigrate if you are going back and forth a lot, particularly if you have real estate in the US. With regard to cruising licenses (sometimes referred to as cruising permits) since I have not yet done it, this information is to be taken with caution, but, as I understand it, a foreign flagged vessel entering the US should obtain a cruising license which is valid for a year and can only be re-obtained after 15 days out of the country. Although there seems to be a lot of confusion about it (US Customs seem to operate semi-autonomously from district to district with regard to interpretation of rules and "local rules") having a cruising permit should allow you to move the boat from port to port within the same customs district without having to make a report each time. When moving between districts, a telephone report can apparently be made. What is not clear is whether all districts apply this interpretation! Try googling "us cruising license" or "us cruising permit" for a sample of the confusion! Hope this helps a bit. It is very confusing. J.E. Fordyce #1938 Toronto ON Adagio I Kadey Krogen 48 Whaleback

> With regard to cruising licenses (sometimes referred to as cruising permits) > since I have not yet done it, this information is to be taken with caution, > but, as I understand it, a foreign flagged vessel entering the US should > obtain a cruising license which is valid for a year and can only be > re-obtained after 15 days out of the country. We had a cruising permit when we (two Canadians on a Canadian vessel) at Sandy Hook and it made things quite easy since they knew who were and they had done checks were in advance when the permit was issued. We were able to check in by phone in the evening from the marina using an 800 number, and received a number to post on our boat. Although at first the person contacted suggested we proceed to a Coast Guard station at some impractical distance away, after some polite discussion, they decided it was not feasible and cleared us. I think the person on the other end of the line was in Florida. From Sandy Hook, we proceeded through NYC, up the Hudson and across to Tonawanda and on to Port Colborne with no problems.

> We had a cruising permit when we (two Canadians on a Canadian vessel) at Sandy Hook This should have read: "We had a cruising permit when we (two Canadians on a Canadian vessel) *arrived at* Sandy Hook *from Bermuda and the Caribbean*"

A good site that gives all the policies for visitors to the USA is: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/temp_1305.html And visitors to the US by foreign flag pleasure craft should also check this article about cruising permits: http://thetriton.com/article/2010/02/us-customs-cruising-permit-yachts Sadly, it is a very complex set of hoops to jump through. Bill

All the confusion will clear it self up when you read the "Cruising Permit". It is only one page and very clearly states you must check in at each port. It is very clear and carries a $5,000.00 fine for each port not reported. Many people gamble and don't do this. Ask yourself "How Lucky Do You Feel"? We just completed 36,000 miles and checked in every time. No problems. Most people don't know if you boat is U.S. built the 2 week out of the country requirement is waived. What's the problem following the law? Ed "Alfie" Sent from my iPhone 4s On Jan 30, 2012, at 3:33 PM, Bill Donovan <trailersource@mindspring.com> wrote: > A good site that gives all the policies for visitors to the USA is: > http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/temp_1305.html > > And visitors to the US by foreign flag pleasure craft should also check this article about cruising permits: > http://thetriton.com/article/2010/02/us-customs-cruising-permit-yachts > > Sadly, it is a very complex set of hoops to jump through. > > Bill > > > _______________________________________________ > http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com > > To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address, > unsubscribe, etc.) go to: http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/options/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com

whilst it is possible to check in every night that you move if you marina hop, there are wilderness anchorages (Georgian marshes springs to mind) where cell phone coverage is spotty or non existant. Jonah. Sent from my iPad On Jan 30, 2012, at 6:12 PM, Ed Potter <Ebrassring@aol.com> wrote: > All the confusion will clear it self up when you read the "Cruising Permit". It is only one page and very clearly states you must check in at each port. It is very clear and carries a $5,000.00 fine for each port not reported. Many people gamble and don't do this. Ask yourself "How Lucky Do You Feel"? > We just completed 36,000 miles and checked in every time. No problems. Most people don't know if you boat is U.S. built the 2 week out of the country requirement is waived. What's the problem following the law? > Ed > "Alfie" > > Sent from my iPhone 4s > > > On Jan 30, 2012, at 3:33 PM, Bill Donovan <trailersource@mindspring.com> wrote: > >> A good site that gives all the policies for visitors to the USA is: >> http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/temp_1305.html >> >> And visitors to the US by foreign flag pleasure craft should also check this article about cruising permits: >> http://thetriton.com/article/2010/02/us-customs-cruising-permit-yachts >> >> Sadly, it is a very complex set of hoops to jump through. >> >> Bill >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com >> >> To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address, >> unsubscribe, etc.) go to: http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/options/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com > > _______________________________________________ > http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com > > To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address, > unsubscribe, etc.) go to: http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/options/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com