What sort of papers must you carry when cruising (globally)

[coopec]

I suppose you'd need a passport for ID, you'd get a visa at the Port of Entry(?), a record of vaccinations. But what else?

Apart from papers I suppose Customs would check you weren't carrying drugs, firearms or too much grog. They may insist the toilet outlet be locked closed.....?

 

[Tranona]

Boat and people are different. Minimum a boat needs is evidence of its "nationality" which is normally registration with a state, usually the state of residence or citizenship but does not have to be. Evidence of ownership (which is not necessarily the same as registration) insurance and certificates for communication systems are also useful. some states require permits to visit their territorial waters, or parts such as national parks, nature reserves etc. Surprisingly holding tanks are rarely compulsory although ability to lock off outlet is required in the US. Elsewhere discharge of sewage is banned by legislation, but holding tanks are not legally required.

For persons, identity, usually a passport. For the skipper of the boat recognised evidence of competence to skipper the boat is useful. For all people documents required for entry into countries visited such as visas vaccination certificates.

 

[coopec]

Boat and people are different. Minimum a boat needs is evidence of its "nationality" which is normally registration with a state, usually the state of residence or citizenship but does not have to be. Evidence of ownership (which is not necessarily the same as registration) insurance and certificates for communication systems are also useful. some states require permits to visit their territorial waters, or parts such as national parks, nature reserves etc. Surprisingly holding tanks are rarely compulsory although ability to lock off outlet is required in the US. Elsewhere discharge of sewage is banned by legislation, but holding tanks are not legally required.

For persons, identity, usually a passport. For the skipper of the boat recognised evidence of competence to skipper the boat is useful. For all people documents required for entry into countries visited such as visas vaccination certificates.

I suppose in my case a few photos of the yacht under construction would be useful as far as proving ownership?

 

[Deleted member 478]

You will also need the exit papers from your last port of call.

 

[[70521]]

Many marinas insist on insurance.

 

[jdc]

I make colour photocopies of a variety of documents and clip them into transparent plastic A4 folders which I present (and frequently give) to officials. They generally appreciate one keeping the work they have to do to a minimum, for which good photocopies are helpful. The bundle of papers is:

1. Cover page with title 'Photocopies of ship documents' translated into various languages (I put English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, but would add others, such as Japanese and Chinese or Thai, were I in the far-east) and a photo of the boat with the caption of boat name and country of registration. Some countries require a photo, so this fits the bill.
2. Registration document. Since mine is SSR there is no port, which is often required on foreign forms, so I type underneath the SSR photocopy 'Home Port: Falmouth' (obviously substitute your one!)
3. Insurance certificate
4. Radio licence(s)
5. My certificate of competence for radio
6. My certificate of competence for sailing (eg the ICC or YM etc)
7. Crew list, with passport numbers and role on board (Captain, Mate etc)
8. Passport page which has the photograph.
9. Leaving clearance from past port
10. Receipt for fees paid from last port / marina

In addition, once checked in, I add the temporary import document from customs and remove the leaving clearance from last port. I guess these days some Covid proof of vaccination would be useful.

It seems like a lot, but it's served me well over the years. Another tip: dress smartly when going to see customs and immigration and the port captain, if relevant. It just helps (I've even been saluted by the soldier at the gate!). Remember you are a captain, however small your craft, and will be treated with respect provided you act with respect.

 

[DeepKeel]

I make colour photocopies of a variety of documents and clip them into transparent plastic A4 folders which I present (and frequently give) to officials. They generally appreciate one keeping the work they have to do to a minimum, for which good photocopies are helpful. The bundle of papers is:

1. Cover page with title 'Photocopies of ship documents' translated into various languages (I put English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, but would add others, such as Japanese and Chinese or Thai, were I in the far-east) and a photo of the boat with the caption of boat name and country of registration. Some countries require a photo, so this fits the bill.
2. Registration document. Since mine is SSR there is no port, which is often required on foreign forms, so I type underneath the SSR photocopy 'Home Port: Falmouth' (obviously substitute your one!)
3. Insurance certificate
4. Radio licence(s)
5. My certificate of competence for radio
6. My certificate of competence for sailing (eg the ICC or YM etc)
7. Crew list, with passport numbers and role on board (Captain, Mate etc)
8. Passport page which has the photograph.
9. Leaving clearance from past port
10. Receipt for fees paid from last port / marina

In addition, once checked in, I add the temporary import document from customs and remove the leaving clearance from last port. I guess these days some Covid proof of vaccination would be useful.

It seems like a lot, but it's served me well over the years. Another tip: dress smartly when going to see customs and immigration and the port captain, if relevant. It just helps (I've even been saluted by the soldier at the gate!). Remember you are a captain, however small your craft, and will be treated with respect provided you act with respect.

That's a good list and good advice that matches my experience well. I would add that you will need additional copies of the crew list, and a means of printing it again if it changes. A boat's 'stamp' can be very helpful for stamping documents such as the crew list to give them added credibility. Also I ask all crew to carry several photocopies of their passport's main page and any pages with relevant visas and also multiple passport sized mugshots. And remember you should have a paper logbook showing, at the very least, crew onboard, ports of call and significant events.

Remember you are a captain, however small your craft, and will be treated with respect provided you act with respect.

Absolutely! Take yourself seriously, and the task of the officer you are interacting with seriously and with respect - no matter how bizarre, byzantine and futile it might appear to you.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

As above, I keep a folder with all of it in including last fuel receipt.

 

[PlanB]

Some countries require original, not copy, of boat reg.

 

[roaringgirl]

That's a good list and good advice that matches my experience well. I would add that you will need additional copies of the crew list, and a means of printing it again if it changes. A boat's 'stamp' can be very helpful for stamping documents such as the crew list to give them added credibility. Also I ask all crew to carry several photocopies of their passport's main page and any pages with relevant visas and also multiple passport sized mugshots. And remember you should have a paper logbook showing, at the very least, crew onboard, ports of call and significant events.



Absolutely! Take yourself seriously, and the task of the officer you are interacting with seriously and with respect - no matter how bizarre, byzantine and futile it might appear to you.

I have no hope whatsoever of dressing smartly as I bear more than a passing resemblance to Jack Sparrow. I substitute a starched shirt and tie with being friendly and helpful. It has worked well so far...

 

[jdc]

Some countries require original, not copy, of boat reg.

Probably all do in theory so I carry the originals as well, but I haven't yet been asked for any but my passport.

 

[jdc]

I have no hope whatsoever of dressing smartly as I bear more than a passing resemblance to Jack Sparrow. I substitute a starched shirt and tie with being friendly and helpful. It has worked well so far...

Oh, I'm a natural scruff also, but just not shorts or T shirt when visiting officialdom, I'm not talking jacket and tie unless you want to.

 

[Gary Fox]

I make colour photocopies of a variety of documents and clip them into transparent plastic A4 folders which I present (and frequently give) to officials. They generally appreciate one keeping the work they have to do to a minimum, for which good photocopies are helpful. The bundle of papers is:

1. Cover page with title 'Photocopies of ship documents' translated into various languages (I put English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, but would add others, such as Japanese and Chinese or Thai, were I in the far-east) and a photo of the boat with the caption of boat name and country of registration. Some countries require a photo, so this fits the bill.
2. Registration document. Since mine is SSR there is no port, which is often required on foreign forms, so I type underneath the SSR photocopy 'Home Port: Falmouth' (obviously substitute your one!)
3. Insurance certificate
4. Radio licence(s)
5. My certificate of competence for radio
6. My certificate of competence for sailing (eg the ICC or YM etc)
7. Crew list, with passport numbers and role on board (Captain, Mate etc)
8. Passport page which has the photograph.
9. Leaving clearance from past port
10. Receipt for fees paid from last port / marina

In addition, once checked in, I add the temporary import document from customs and remove the leaving clearance from last port. I guess these days some Covid proof of vaccination would be useful.

It seems like a lot, but it's served me well over the years. Another tip: dress smartly when going to see customs and immigration and the port captain, if relevant. It just helps (I've even been saluted by the soldier at the gate!). Remember you are a captain, however small your craft, and will be treated with respect provided you act with respect.

Good advice thanks

 

[Roberto]

I found the required crew list must often be done to local standards, so I had a paper with crew names, date of birth, ID number, ID date of release, ID expiry date, ID Authority, etc which helped in writing everything on the local form without having to go through all the individual documents.
Similarly for the boat, physical data from length to tonnage, registration number, radio call sign, etc etc.