Tackling the Cruisers Paper Tiger... by Capt Major at SSCA

[s/v Faith]

Posted here with permission by the author, Thanks Capt. Major!

The following post is an open ended list of things that new & old cruisers might think about to make life aboard a little more secure and a little less frustrating down the road....
Most items apply to any nationality, some are specific to the cruiser from the U.S.

CRUISING DOCUMENTATION & ADMINISTRATIVE PAPERWORK
By: Captain Major Weber, s/v AIRBORNE
10/08

Boat Documentation
•   USCG Documentation or State Registration (1 YR, you can set month for USCG Doc., States will waive renewal expiration out of country). http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvdc/                  
•   Dingy Registration. (if it is a "tender to" it does not need to be registered, however it can only be used to transfer from ship-to-shore and return, it can not be used for fishing or your dive tender, etc.)
•   Boat Insurance, Collision, Liability, Indemnity, Salvage, etc. (Verify sailing itinerary, i.e. Destinations with insurer. Some "off-limit" destinations will be approved if you request them, sometimes the insurer will require you to notify them that you are going into an "off limit" location and temporarily suspend your coverage).
•   FCC    Ship Station Authorization (License), VHF Radio Call Sign and MMSI*  (10 YR) http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing&id=ship_stations
    Radio Operators License (VHF, SSB) (Lifetime)  http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing&id=ship_stations
   *Maritime Mobile Station Identification (MMSI) (MMSI from    BoatUS http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/, Seatow http://seatow.com/boating_safety/mmsi.asp/ , Power Squadron http://www.usps.org/php/mmsi/home.php  is not valid outside US waters
   EPIRB (NOAA) uses MMSI, radio call sign, Doc/Reg #) (2YR) http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/
   Digital Select Calling (DSC-VHF) uses MMSI & GPS lat/long
Amateur Radio License ((Ham) 10 YR) (USA), http://www.arrl.org/, out of country Reciprocal Operating Agreement and Permits. http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/io/
•   US Customs decal for boat (Renewed Jan 1 ea yr, can get 90 days ahead). https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/ (Not required for small boats)
•   Towing Insurance; BoatUS http://www.boatus.com/Towing/ or Seatow. http://seatow.com/membership/default.asp  Retain while out of country. If you require towing assistance out of U.S. both will reimburse you upon return and written receipt.  BoatUS up to $2500, Seatow up to $5000.
•   Recertify dive tanks http://www.scubadiverinfo.com/2_cylinders.html and propane tanks for refill. http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/SFM/docs/Licensing_permits/LPG/LPGCylSafetyBroch.pdf
•   Prepare a list of supplies on board to include detailed number of beer, wine, liquor, cigars, packs of cigarettes, food (food stuff, sodas and supplies can be described as "Ship's Stores" without detailing).
•   Prepare a complete inventory of boat components to include, make, model and serial number. This should include your boat HIN, engine serial#, dingy, outboard, radios, TV, computer, etc. These lists are sometimes requested by Customs to keep track of things being imported and they are helpful if your boat is burglarized for police and insurance claims.

Captain and Crew Documentation
•   Passport for each person (10 YR, min 6 mo remaining). http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
•   Customs, Local Boater Option, ID number (Indefinite) easy re-entry to U.S. You can get prior to departure at most U.S. Customs offices (airport) with Passport and boat Documentation papers. http://search.cbp.gov/query.html?col=cgov&qt=local+boaters+option&charset=iso-8859-1
•   Visa for countries requiring for each person (specific time periods). http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html
•   For longer stays in foreign countries, consider registration with the U.S. Embassy or Consular office. This can be very helpful in local and "at home" emergencies. The following statement is from the State Department and is good advice "In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare or whereabouts may not be released to inquirers without your expressed written authorizations. Registration through the website is not considered proof of citizenship. Remember to leave a detailed itinerary and the numbers or copies of your passport or other citizenship documents with a friend or relative in the United States. "
•   Captain's License (USCG U.S Merchant Marine Officer License)
•   Divers Log book/certification.
•   Drivers License for all drivers. (Carry copy for banking ID).
•   Auto insurance copy for foreign driving (Mexico requires special coverage, check with your credit card issuer for foreign car rental coverage). Bravo... (956) 723-3657, http://www.bravoinsurance.biz/,         San Xavier Ins...888 327-1303, http://www.mexican-autoinsurance.com/ SANBORN'S MEXICO AUTO INSURANCE... (915) 779-3538 http://www.sanbornsinsurance.com/
•   Weapon Registration and Concealed Weapons Permit (Unless you are armed to the hilt, Bear Spray, Air Horns, intense lights, Flare gun, Spear guns and Machete can often be more effective with fewer potential consequences to you. Many countries hold declared weapons on check-in and only return them when you depart).
•   Arrange for children's study material and "home school" courses so that younger crew members will continue to grow educationally as well as learning from the worldly adventure. http://www.calvertschool.org/calvert-school
•   Limited Power of Attorney for a trusted person (attorney/relative/friend) to act in your behalf in certain situations.  This should also include release of your medical condition to someone in addition to a spouse. http://www.legalzoom.com
•   Take Boat Cards. They are fun to trade and a reminder to new friends.

Medical and Health
•   International Vaccination Certificate for each person on board. Check the U.S. Center for Disease Control web site for worldwide immunization requirements. http://www.cdc.gov/    
•   Copies of Medication Prescriptions.
•   Medical records for special conditions.
•   Take Veterinary Health Certificates for pets on board.  Entry to Mexico, from U.S., certificate must be within 30 days.
•   Evacuation insurance in case you need to be evacuated back to the States due to an injury (Divers Alert Network -DAN has a low cost policy even if it is not a diving accident). 1-800-446-2671 http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/
•   Prepare a Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney.http://www.legalzoom.com

Financial Concerns and the Paper Trail
•   Credit cards (confirm expiration date, difficult to get renewal cards out of country)  Get separate cards from different providers; if one set stolen and record telephone number/email address to notify issuer if lost. If you have digital photos for your driver license in Florida, you can order replacements online if stolen, but they are sent to your home address, not to some other country.
•   Carry cash for emergency repairs or trip home, but less than $10K.
•   Make at least three copies of personal records and store in separate locations on boat. Carry COPIES of passport, driver license (photo ID) and only one credit card when traveling ashore.
•   Leave a copy of Passports, driver's licenses, credit cards with a trusted family member or friend for unforeseen emergencies.
•   Make enough copies (3 per country you plan to visit, some want up to six copies) of boat documentation and passports of all aboard.  Make copies of crew lists including all aboard, each person should have a ship's crew position, never just a passenger or visitor. Include full name, passport #, nationality and home address.
•   Make three copies of all credit cards and IDs (both sides) and store in separate secure locations on boat.
•   Sales receipts and copy of warranty for major systems (Credit card purchases from West Marine can be verified by calling to their "sales audit" department...1-800-817-7840).

Communication Back Home
•   Signup for an internet based email service like Google's GMAIL. That way you don't have to be a computer/ISP email guru. (It's free also). http://mail.google.com/mail/
•   Signup for a SKYPE account for low cost long distance calls via the internet.  You need to buy a combo headset/microphone. http://www.skype.com/useskype/
•   Emergency contact information to include cruiser nets and forums for locating you in out of the way places or while on a passage. USCG phone numbers for your non-boating backup person that includes info about your boat make, size, ID numbers and emergency equipment. http://www.uscg.mil/top/news/phonebook.pdf
•   Prepare a list of contacts such as your banks, financial investments, insurance companies (boat/house/car/life) to leave with a trusted person and keep a copy for yourself on the boat.
•   Get telephone "area codes" not "1-800" numbers. You can't dial "800" numbers from outside the U.S.
•   Arrange for mail delivery/pickup. (USPS will hold mail for 30 days or temporarily forward to another address for 6 months) If you are going longer, use a forwarding service or a trustworthy relative or friend to receive, sort, hold or forward mail. There are several commercial mail forwarding services. UPS/Mail Box Etc. http://www.mbe.com/ has an affordable service. Many cruisers use St Brendan's Isle... 904-284-1200 http://www.sbimailservice.com/. It's good to have a real address, not a P.O. Box number.
•   Take a number of USPS "Forever" stamps for mail that some other cruiser going back to the States will drop in the mailbox for you when they arrive. Usually much cheaper than other country postage, but not as exciting.
•   Get a GSM phone and get it "unlocked" so you can swap out the SIMM card for new service in the countries you visit.  Check different providers to ensure you are getting the best long distance rate to USA.

Flag and Country
•   Fly the official U.S. Stars and Stripes flag on your boat, not the U.S. Yacht Ensign flag. It is not the official flag of the United States outside U.S. waters.  Have courtesy flags for the countries you plan to visit.
•   Put your car in storage and change your coverage to Comprehensive only to save on cost.
•   Put your cable TV and internet service and telephones on "vacation suspend" to cut cost drastically while you are away.  Do the same for your cell phone as you leave reception/coverage, but make it effective 3-5 days after you depart incase you have to turn back.  
•   When you leave your home/condo/apt turn off the water heater and shut off the main water supply to your home.
•   To ensure inspection access or retrieval of some important spare part you may have in storage, it is good to leave a key (or combination) to your house or commercial storage unit with a trusted person.
•   Finally, leave a sail/cruising plan that gives a list of destinations, approximate dates of arrival and length of stay and let the person you leave the plan with know where you are and if there are any big changes in the plan or schedule let them be known......
THERE WILL BE CHANGES!!        
http://sioscuba.ucsd.edu/docs/USCGFloatPlan-3.pdf
•   Hey, did you bring the..........?  Oh, well, let's have a good time.

[s/v Faith]

I know there are lots of 'yea but's but I thought it was a pretty good list.  I asked permission to post this here, and will post the updates as he adds them. 

[Auspicious]

My thoughts:

If you are leaving the US and are eligable for USCG Documentation you should get it.

Depending on where you are the "tender to" or T/T "exclusion" will NOT save you from an expensive ticket. Maryland for example requires registration of any dinghy with an engine (including electric motors) regardless of markings or size.

In a "yes, but" I personally don't like the idea of leaving a complete itinery. Too much can change. I do notify specific, trusted people when I leave on a passage about destination, expected arrival, and how late I think I should be before they start to worry.

[CharlieJ]

The T-T thing won't work in Texas either -same deal as Maryland. If it has mechanical
  propulsion it needs registration.

I suspect that's true in many states.

By the way, last time I was in Maryland the patrol was there while I was installing the outboard on the dinghy, wanting to see the regisration- that quickly.

[Bubba the Pirate]

If you are leaving the US and are eligable for USCG Documentation you should get it.

Auspicious - can you elaborate on the statement above.  I am curious and will eventually leave US water. 

Thanks!

Todd

[s/v Faith]

If you are leaving the US and are eligable for USCG Documentation you should get it.

Auspicious - can you elaborate on the statement above.  I am curious and will eventually leave US water.  

Thanks!

Todd

Take a look at this thread;

 U.S. Documented vessel discussion

(on edit: I moved the other posts on this thread there, so that the answers would be in one place for future discussion / searches.)