With the relaxation of COVID testing requirements as of April 1st, I took the opportunity of venturing over to Roche Harbor aboard the S/V Prophet last Saturday (for the day), in order to test the processes, and have lunch!! I’m pleased to report that the requirements have been simplified, automated, and are now free.
 
You must be fully vaccinated and have a Nexus card to make this easy.  No pre-testing is required by either the Americans or Canadians, when travelling by private boat.  To enter the U.S., you need to download the updated CBPRoam app onto your phone, available in all platforms.  Use the app to register your vessel… you will need basic details, plus they will require a photo of your registration certificate… and this will stay with the app for all future crossings.  New this year, the app will also let you apply for an annual cruising permit (now free).  Next, register yourself (as vessel Master) as well as each passenger (you’ll need to let the app scan your passport, and you can enter your Nexus ID.  Finally, select your vessel and the passengers and submit your arrival (you must be on the U.S. side of the border (they know from your phone GPS)… CBP will come on video and match your face to your passport, and then the app will issue you a clearance number.  Easy.
 
Returning to Canada using the phone-in clearance system is the same as previous, but you now need to complete the ArriveCan app for each passenger aboard.  CBSA will ask you for the ArriveCan receipt numbers that accompany the QR Code.  Note that although I tied up to the inside of V-dock to clear, they don’t seem to care and checked me in straight away.  Easy.
 
After 2 years of limited cruising in the Gulf Islands, it’s so nice to have some new places to drop the hook!  Happy Sailing!
 
Mike Nusbaum