The United States - "New World" Sailing, a Continent of Opportunities
Though it's not as accessible as European countries, America is a great place for anyone with an active interest in sailing. Mile after miles of coastline in both the Pacific and the Atlantic await those brave enough to venture out this far.
General Info
With a country the size of a continent like the United States, you can imagine there is an endless array of sailing opportunities, both on the east coast facing the Atlantic but also on the western coast overlooking the Pacific. Among the most popular ones in America, Yacht Charter enthusiasts seem to converge the most around the Florida (Key West, Miami, Palmetto) peninsula on the east coast, while in the west the San Juan islands are the most frequented.
To top it all off, the marinas in the United States have some of the highest quality standards but the prices are equally high. That doesn’t mean that the budget Yacht Charter traveler won’t find a mooring place, just that even the most pretentious sailors will be satisfied with the infrastructure in America.
The only downside to this wonderful sailing area is the fact that the United States are very rigid with immigration and tourism in general, not allowing just anyone within their national waters or even on their land. For this reason, the vast majority of Yacht Charter sailors cruising the coasts is American and Canadian, with very few coming from Europe or other continents.
The biggest deterrent isn’t the long distance over the Atlantic for those who wish to sail the American coastlines, but the numerous controls and security checks one has to pass in order to be permitted in the country and it gets even more difficult for those Yacht Charter tourists who wish to do it in a boat.
Law & Order
In order to travel to the United States of America you must obtain a travel visa in advance, regardless of their nationality. This must be done prior to reaching the country and usually requires you to be seen in person by an Immigration officer at an American embassy. Keep in mind that this process takes some time and plan accordingly. Any Yacht Charter tourist should carry with him a valid passport.
As usual, after entry, head to a port of entry, though you should expect a face-to-face inspection, whereupon the procedures vary depending on the port. The Yacht Charter captain and the crew must all have valid passports. Additional needed documents include the ship’s papers, a declaration of all ship’s and crew’s possessions and a complete crew list. Also important is the cruising license which is obtained from the port director after arrival and is valid for a year.
Customs checks usually involve firearms, alcohol and tobacco (which falls under the jurisdiction of the ATF) and incoming Yacht Charter tourists must declare upon arrival any such goods while also having a permit for the firearms. If that is the case, a special permit must be required in advance from the ATF.
Other restrictions include the import of food and plants (which will not pass the initial inspection) or any other agricultural product (meat and meat products, fresh fish and plants will usually be confiscated). Pets are allowed to enter the country but must be free of any diseases passable to man. Yacht Charter skippers will have to provide a health certificate to prove the animal’s state of health.