Cautionary advice : Do Not let go of your documents .......

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So if the original docs get damage by the ingress of water can it be replaced and how do you prove ownership without the original

This is why the originals need to be kept in a safe place so if the one on the boat is damaged in any way you can still prove ownership

Replacement docs are easily obtained from the Registration Authorities here. All docs here are laminated anyway .....
 
When I landed in Fujairah from a cruise ship there was an immigration office in a tent on the quay side. A line of desks with Arab customs officers in long white robes. When a lady objected to giving over her passport for the day, the officer said very politely,

“Please do not worry, madam, we will sell it back to you when you leave”.
 
The ‘originals’ thing seems pretty meaningless anyway these days when it comes to the boat documents. Both my recent Part 1 reg renewal and insurance documents were printed on my home printer as MCA and Pants only send electronic now. so I could presumably print off 50 ‘originals’ if I wanted to.
 
I keep the orgional papers of my boat at home but keep certified copies on the boat so if they are not returned, I still have the origionals in a safe place and certified copies can be created again

Portugal will not accept copies or laminated documents which were not laminated when issued, they only accept originals. As for videoing police, don't try that in some countries, one being Morocco, where it's illegal even to take photo of police.
 
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For me if you are concerned about handing over your documents to officials then the first thing to ask is should I be visiting or certainly living in this country.
 
As a frequent visitor to USA and many countries around the world - I am well aware of the possibilities etc.

No-one is talking about USA or anywhere except my post regarding River Venta in Latvia.
A person I know had a very nasty experience transiting through USA (Miami) to South America. It is probably relevant here that they were of South American birth - and slightly coloured. They got separated from their white UK born partner.
They were taken aside by an aggressive US border official who claimed they didn’t have the right papers and visa. They handed over the paperwork, but by this time official didn’t want to admit mistake and they watched him simply them bin them. Then repeat more aggressively that didn’t have the right papers and would be deported back to the UK on the next flight. All got very nasty.
This was slightly before all such paperwork was done electronically, so easier to “lose” the paperwork. Eventually white partner managed to find out where his partner was. After some time and pressure (was employed by a major US company and regular traveller on their behalf which helped, as called them for assistance first) eventually got allowed to board connection to next flight.
They avoided going via USA for transfers thereafter.
 
It's been over a decade since I last visited the US and 25 years ago was actually seconded to work in Chicago for several months. In that time having flown in and out of several US airports I can honestly say I never had better than brusque reception and passage through immigration and I was as WASP as they come.
 
Portugal will not accept copies or laminated documents which were not laminated when issued, they only accept originals. As for videoing police, don't try that in some countries, one being Morocco, where it's illegal even to take photo of police.
They accepted our home printed and laminated boat registration document without question last time I was there. But how would they know that I printed and laminated it?
 
I lived / worked for 5 yrs in Saudi Arabia ... as well as Emirates. Iran, Iraq and Kuwait .... so well aware of countries that forbid photography of certain items etc.

When I worked for Chevron ... I was asked to go to USA for a trip - in those days - it was documents and go to London (Grosvenor Sq.) and be vetted !
I arrived at the Visa section .. took a number .... sat down. Guy next to me was clutching the usual stack of papers ... whereas I had only Passport in hand. He noticed and asked what I expected ... I just said we wait and see ...

My number was called - I went to the booth ... guy asked for my papers - I handed over Passport ... to then be asked again for papers ... I with great respect and politely said the Chevron USA had given me little notice - in fact I had the call only day before .... guy then advised me to go back to my seat and wait.
I sat down ... the guy who was waiting still asked what happened ... I said he just told me to wait.
5 mins later I was called again ... and given my Passport with Visa stamped in ... they'd called Chevron and had confirmation.

Few years later - I was asked to go to Port Arthur to attend a ship for Lukoil PanAmerica ...... this time was ESTA and no visa .... I had to renew the ESTA as the Passport I used for USA had expired. I did not want to use my other - I had two others for sensitive countries !. Applied online - got confirmation ... and I was booked to fly.
Copenhagen - Dept of Homeland Security guy checked PP's and boarding cards for the flight ...
We arrive Washington for transit connection. I get to Immigration Desk ... hand over PP ...

Immigration lass kept passing it through the scanner ... but of course it could not be read as it had no data lines at base of page ... UK Consuls in Baltics could not print the data lines ...
She then advised me that my ESTA was voided as the PP it was issued against was not electronically readable. I would be put on a flight back to origin.

I asked nicely to speak to Supervisor ... which she at first refused ... so I asked again nicely .... then she agreed and Supervisor arrived ....

Myself along PP were taken to his office ... I explained why I was travelling .... for Lukoil PanAmerica etc.

He fined me $600 ... fined the airline $3000 - for flying me to USA - despite the DoHS inspection at Copenhagen ... My PP was stamped allowing me 10days in USA ... Paroled !
 
It's been over a decade since I last visited the US and 25 years ago was actually seconded to work in Chicago for several months. In that time having flown in and out of several US airports I can honestly say I never had better than brusque reception and passage through immigration and I was as WASP as they come.
I had to fly a fair amount to Chicago O’Hare in the 80s. One of the busiest airports in the world, not least due to all the short haul commuter jets as well as the major routes - and thanks to Mr Reagan we knew that none of the air traffic controllers had more than a few weeks experience when I started going there!
Immigration delays were legendary - we sat on a plane with no power or a/c for 4 hours to await the privilege of joining the queue for immigration. Surly was a good day, in my experience. But again your employer was often key - working for a major Chicago headquartered organisation we were all given travel instructions on corporate Chicago HQ letterhead and told to accidentally ensure that it was always inside the passport when presented. Not sure whether they contributed to the Christmas kitty, but we got nodded through when finally reached the front of the queue.
The joys of corporate travel.
 
I had to fly a fair amount to Chicago O’Hare in the 80s. One of the busiest airports in the world, not least due to all the short haul commuter jets as well as the major routes - and thanks to Mr Reagan we knew that none of the air traffic controllers had more than a few weeks experience when I started going there!
Immigration delays were legendary - we sat on a plane with no power or a/c for 4 hours to await the privilege of joining the queue for immigration. Surly was a good day, in my experience. But again your employer was often key - working for a major Chicago headquartered organisation we were all given travel instructions on corporate Chicago HQ letterhead and told to accidentally ensure that it was always inside the passport when presented. Not sure whether they contributed to the Christmas kitty, but we got nodded through when finally reached the front of the queue.
The joys of corporate travel.
It never did me any harm to be travelling as an employee of HM Government, or an ancient university! The only time it was a problem was travelling to Russia during a down turn in relations. It's the only time I've had to apply for a business visa to attend a scientific conference, but we were advised that the Russians were being very pedantic about the rules and counted our attendance as "work". It is, but most places accept that you're not earning anything from attending!
 
OK .... word of caution ...

Example : Today stopped on river by Border Guard patrol ...

They as per usual requirements request to see Operators licence and boat registration.

Both produced and shown .... but they want to have in 'their hands' ..... NO WAY.

I make sure they can read both sides of ICC and Boat registration ... and with friendly chat ...

WITH video recording.

All accepted and free to proceed ......

Why keep in own hand documents ? Once out of yours - you have no idea what will be next. Don't even give copies !!

Be nice ... keep hold ... and all should be good.
Where did that happen? In the UK? Odd that they stopped a local boat, if that's the case.
 
It's been over a decade since I last visited the US and 25 years ago was actually seconded to work in Chicago for several months. In that time having flown in and out of several US airports I can honestly say I never had better than brusque reception and passage through immigration and I was as WASP as they come.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that US immigration checks have become even more rigorous of late.
Apparently border officials will now go through your mobile phone, and look at emails etc.
A French scientist was refused entry in March for having exchanged WhatsApp messages with friends which poked fun at the current US president.
 
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