Planning a Bahamas trip by a few small boats. We will launch in Florida and return to the same port. I have read up on the Local Boater Option and the Small Vessel Reporting System that is administered by the Customs and Boarder Protection folks. Not saying I would ever just put the boat on the trailer and come home. Anyone have experience and opinions on clearing customs on your return to Florida?
Thank you
I do the Small Vessel Reporting System and it works great. Just call them when you get back to the US. The interview at the airport is painless. Make sure everyone going with you does it. When you going? We’ll be over the end of this month.
Seah Hunt Ultra 234 Yamaha F250
Sea Pro 190CC Yamaha F150 (sold)
LBO is the way to go. Note that EVERYONE on the boat has to do it. If you do NOT do LBO, then you are required to VISIT IN PERSON a local customs office (Miami or Ft Lauderdale) within 24 hours of arrival. If you do not, the fine is upwards of $5000 and jail. Either way, if you want to be legal a face to face visit is required. So, you either do it in advance once time (i.e. LBO) or do it every time you come back (no LBO). LBO is the way to go. I had a friend who did not check in within 24 hours and they harassed him a good bit and threatened him over it.
Thanks for the report. We are looking at the end of June. I talked to the CBP folks and they said they could take care of our gang in less that an hour and issue us all a BR# and we would be “good to go”.
Thanks for the info!
ZX
quote:I've done it and every time I had someone new on the boat, I made them do it too. Make sure you check expiration date on everyone's passports. I was a bit of a stickler about it. They had to put their passport in my hand before we left the dock. I put it in a dry box until we got to customs in the Bahamas.
Originally posted by tanksgtThanks for the report. We are looking at the end of June. I talked to the CBP folks and they said they could take care of our gang in less that an hour and issue us all a BR# and we would be “good to go”.
Thanks for the info!
ZX
As far as LBO, they give you the number weeks before you go. When you file your float plan, you do a lookup by their BR# and register them on your float plan. Once you have that, I don’t think you even need the LBO on your person. Just the #. I have everyone’s BR#'s saved in a text file, so next time we go, I don’t even need to ask them anymore.
Note that LBO expires with passport expiration, so if you are coming up on a passport expiration (less than a couple of years), then you might as well renew that BEFORE you renew your LBO.
Where in the Bahamas are you headed?
I heard the fine is : You have to sleep with Hillary
SJ, thanks for the sage advice. I like the Abacos.
Fishingpox: I would rather be eaten alive by a large snake.
ZX
Intrestead. I’ve made the trip several times. How many boats are going? Bimini?
235cc Sea Pro Twin Yamaha 150’s
quote:Ok. So I assume you will be going through West End. Just a few more thoughts:
Originally posted by tanksgtSJ, thanks for the sage advice. I like the Abacos.
Fishingpox: I would rather be eaten alive by a large snake.ZX
<> Print out your paperwork and fill it out before you get there. It asks for passports, places of birth, etc. This will save you 30 minutes to an hour upon check-in.
<> I think customs opens at 8am. You want to get there just before 8am or right at 8am. If you cross over on a weekend and don’t get there early you might find yourself waiting behind 6-10 other boats. They handle them one at a time, so you could sit there for an hour waiting for your turn.
<> Don’t forget to ask them for your fishing permit
<> Lake Worth Inlet was my preferred way of going to West End. I went through Boynton Inlet, but that inlet is sketchy. Lot’s of current, narrow channel, hard turn, people fishing with lines across the channel, jet skis, people anchored in the channel. Lake Worth Inlet is a lot bigger and easier to navigate.