Charles and Margo Wood - Charlie\'s Charts North to Alaska

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Vessels and crew who are not Canadian or American may ha ve to follow more

detailed entry procedures. Cruising Permits can be obtained easily if one's

country has reciprocal arrangements with Canada and the U.S.~. Visas may be

needed for the skipper and crew depending on the nationalities involved.

Vessels must proceed to a Port of Entry without any landing, anchorage, or
meeting with another boato Ports of Entry are elearly labelled in the guide.
Only the skipper, or his representative may go ashore to report entry to
Customs. This can be done by telephone in many of the southern centers, or by
proceeding directly to the Customs Office. If one is caÌling in by telephone
the Customs Officers will arrange to come down to the vessel to check it in.
The person reporting in must return aboard immediately after reporting and
remain aboard unless clearance is given by telephone. Though there are some
small variations the customs and immigration la~s of both Canada and the Vnited
States require the following:

l. The yacht's registration, documentation or license papers

2. A letter or statement from the owner allo~ing the skipper to move the boat
   if the owner is not aboard


3. Passports, birth certificates, or other aceeptable identification of
   alI crew members


4. Visas where this applies to crew members
   5. Limits to the amount of aleohol, beer, and cigarettes for each person.
   Certain fruits, vegetables or other agricultural products may be prohibited
   entry.


5. Dogs, eats or other pets should have a valid certificate far rabies
   vaccination within the last three years.
   7. Prescription drugs for personal use should have labels and have copies
   of the physician's preseription or a letter from him stating the necessity
   for their use.


6. Canada prohibits hand guns, automatic firearms, and mace; and applies a
   criminal charge to anyone in violation of this rule. Hand gun regulations
   are a state responsibility in the United States. To determine current
   regulations far Alaska one must write to:

Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game

P.O. Box 3 - 2000

Juneau, AK 99802

Failure to conform to the requirements far declaration and check-in

procedures make the vessel subject to seizure and/or fines. Recent eases

include a $100 fine for not deelaring 1iquor on board in excess of the allowed

amount; $100 fine far being 24 or more hours late in reporting in; and $300

fine for persistent disregard of entry procedures by 10eal boaters near border

points.

~~ALE WATCHING

This is a highlight of any cruise in these waters. A sma11 crulslng vessel

provides many exce11ent opportunities to observe whales closely. The whales

one may encounter include four baleen whales: Gray, Humpback, Minke, and

Finback; and three toothed whales: Orea or Killer ~hale, and the Dalls and

Harbor Porpoises.