Does anybody the official Homeland Security position?

bajakian · 03-22-2006, 07:19 AM

Regarding the Bahamas, Ive been told that Homeland Security does not consider it a visit to the Bahamas requiring clearing customs and immigration upon your return if you do not set foot upon Bahamian soil. (In other words a day trip to Mantanilla would be OK) I only have this as word of mouth, and I d hate to have to go to court to defend myself with just that. Does anybody know anything further that supports or is against this "opinion"? If there are any Maritime lawyers, feel free to pipe in.

ausum · 03-22-2006, 02:15 PM

Spoke to my nabor who is a customs agent and he said the law is "if your boat goes inside the 3 mile limit of the bahama bank, the law says you have to call customs and go to immagrations" It does not matter if you touch land or not...AuSUM 2

bajakian · 03-24-2006, 06:51 AM

Ausome-Thats good feed back but not what I was hoping to hear and not what I have been told. I know that the Bahamians feel that way but I didnt think the US respected their view of the banks as Bahamian soil. Is that information absolutely positively 100 percent gospel or just one guys opinion? Was he able to cite a law somewhere?

Sea-Ya · 03-24-2006, 05:05 PM

Bahamian government requires you to check in and clear customs and purchase a cruising permit and fishing permit before any line is put in thier waters, if you are checked to see if you cleared and did not you will end up in jail and your vessel can be confiscated. It's not worth the risk. US requires you to clear customs whenever you clear another countries customs.

Hope this helps.
Geo

03-22-2006, 07:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
bajakian Hooked Up Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ocean Ridge, Fl Boat: Venture 34 Best Catch: 300 lb Yellow fin Tuna, Blue Marlin 240 lbs on 30 lb test, 423 lb Swordfish Occupation: MD Posts: 913	Does anybody the official Homeland Security position? Regarding the Bahamas, Ive been told that Homeland Security does not consider it a visit to the Bahamas requiring clearing customs and immigration upon your return if you do not set foot upon Bahamian soil. (In other words a day trip to Mantanilla would be OK) I only have this as word of mouth, and I d hate to have to go to court to defend myself with just that. Does anybody know anything further that supports or is against this "opinion"? If there are any Maritime lawyers, feel free to pipe in.

03-22-2006, 02:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
ausum Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Islamorada,fl Boat: Custom 50 ft. express with tower Best Catch: 550 lb blue marlin-800 bluefin-68 dolphin- Occupation: Inactive in business Posts: 101	Whats legal Spoke to my nabor who is a customs agent and he said the law is "if your boat goes inside the 3 mile limit of the bahama bank, the law says you have to call customs and go to immagrations" It does not matter if you touch land or not...AuSUM 2

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03-24-2006, 06:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
bajakian Hooked Up Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ocean Ridge, Fl Boat: Venture 34 Best Catch: 300 lb Yellow fin Tuna, Blue Marlin 240 lbs on 30 lb test, 423 lb Swordfish Occupation: MD Posts: 913	Ausome-Thats good feed back but not what I was hoping to hear and not what I have been told. I know that the Bahamians feel that way but I didnt think the US respected their view of the banks as Bahamian soil. Is that information absolutely positively 100 percent gospel or just one guys opinion? Was he able to cite a law somewhere?

03-24-2006, 05:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sea-Ya Lines In Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Palm Beach, FL Boat: 44 Garlinton Express Best Catch: 700+lb BM, 69lb YFT Occupation: Captain Posts: 50	Bahamian government requires you to check in and clear customs and purchase a cruising permit and fishing permit before any line is put in thier waters, if you are checked to see if you cleared and did not you will end up in jail and your vessel can be confiscated. It's not worth the risk. US requires you to clear customs whenever you clear another countries customs. Hope this helps. Geo

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