United States

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==United States of America Cruising Guide==
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{{IsPartOf|Northern America}}
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An online cruising guide for yachts sailing around the USA.
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{{TOC block}}
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{|id="mp-right" width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" style="vertical-align:top; background:#fff5ee; border:1px solid #fa8072;"
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{{infobox country
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! <h2 id="mp-itn-h2" style="margin:0; background:#ffe4e1; font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #fa8072; text-align:left; color:#000; padding:0.2em 0.4em;">HELP! The whole USA section is lagging behind in development.</h2>
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| lat= 39.69898|lon=-100.82015
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|-
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| zoom=
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|style="color:#000;"| Your assistance is required to develop these pages into a useful resource. Bring out the hidden "cruising guide writer" in you and share your information here (in the true cruising spirit) for all who follow in your wake.
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| image= United States-CIA WFB Map.png
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|}
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| imagewidth=
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{| class="infobox bordered" style="width: 25em; text-align: left; font-size: 90%;"
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| imagetext= USA
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|-
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| flag= Flag of the United States.svg
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| colspan="2" style="text-align:center; font-size: large;" | '''U.S.A'''
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| capital= Washington D.C.
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|-
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| language= English
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| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | [[Image:Usamap.gif|300px| ]]<br>U.S.A<br>''Click for larger, clearer view''
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| currency= US Dollar (USD)
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|-
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| timezone= Atlantic: UTC-5, Gulf: UTC-6, Pacific: UTC-8, Alaska: UTC-9, Hawaii: UTC-10.<br> (DST observed except for Hawaii and Arizona)
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| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | [[Image:M US Inland Wways.jpg|300px| ]]<br>US Inland Waterways
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| dsttimezone=
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|-
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| code= +1
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| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | [[Image:Usaflag.png|104px| ]]<br>Flag
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| notes=
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|-
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| news=
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! Capital:
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| altname= United States of America
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| Washington D.C.<br/>[[image:World_icon.png]] {{Coord|38|53.7|N|77|02.2|W|}}
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}}
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|-
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{{Note}} This World Cruising Wiki cannot hope to cover all the sailing activities and regions in the U.S.A. This Wiki does however attempt to cover the U.S. ports and areas that may be of interest to world cruisers.
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! Language:
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| English
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|-
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! Currency:
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| US Dollar (USD)
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|-
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! Time Zone
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| Atlantic coast: EST; UTC-5 (EDT; UTC-4)<br/>Gulf Coast: CST; UTC-6 (CDT; UTC-5)<br/>Pacific coast: PST; UTC-8 (PDT; UTC-7)<br/>Alaska: AKST; UTC-9 (AKDT; UTC-8)<br/>Hawaii: HAST; UTC-10
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|-
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| colspan="2" style="font-size: 2" | More notes about the country
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|-
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| colspan="2" style="margin:0; background:#ffe4e1; font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #FF3300; text-align:center; color:#000000; padding:0.2em 0.4em;" | {{Small info}} '''Latest News'''
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|-
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| colspan="2" style="text-align:left;" | Content - news items, etc.
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|-
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|}
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''For cruising see individual regions''
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====Overview====
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==Charts==
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'''Note''': This World Cruising Wiki cannot hope to cover all the sailing activities and regions in the U.S.A. This Wiki does however attempt to cover the U.S. ports and areas that may be of interest to world cruisers.
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; NOAA
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: Chart No 13003 - Cape Sable to Cape Hatteras
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: Chart No 11009 - Cape Hatteras to Straits of Florida
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: Chart No 411 - Gulf of Mexico
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: Chart No 501 - West Coast of North America
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The background and history about the country is best observed on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States Wikipedia]
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''See the various ports listed below''
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{{TOCleft}}
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Chart sources:
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====Cruising the region====
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* Paper NOAA [http://www.landfallnavigation.com/printondemand.html "print-on-demand" charts] (up-to-date within last 2 weeks) - about $20 each<br/>
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''See individual regions''
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* [http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/index.htm RNC Raster files] of NOAA Navigation Charts (free - updated weekly)
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* [http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/download_agreement.htm Free Download of NOAA RNCs] Info and agreement page
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* [http://www.agc.army.mil/echarts/inlandnav US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS Inland navigation charts] These cover the middle of the US, Mississippi River and tributaries, for the most part.  The list includes free ENC charts and downloadable paper charts to print.
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==Climate & Weather==
 
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North American weather ranges from tropical to arctic. It is far better, if one plans to cruise off (or in) North America, to do one's homework and find specifics about the specific area(s) that you want to see. (see each section of the Cruising Wiki)
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==Weather==
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Weather in the United States of America (USA) ranges from tropical to arctic. There are many resources available to assist with planning before you get out on the water.  These sites below generally cover weather for all fifty states and territories.
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;Weather Forecasts:
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; Weather Forecasts, Advisories, and Warnings:
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* [http://www.weather.gov/ NOAA ] (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
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: [https://www.weather.gov/ NOAA - National Weather Service] - [https://www.weather.gov/marine/ Marine Weather Services]
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* [http://www.sailflow.com/ SailFlow] (Weather Where You Sail)
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: [https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ NOAA - National Hurricane Center & Central Pacific Hurricane Center]
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* [http://www.wunderground.com/ Weather Underground]
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: [https://www.sailflow.com/ SailFlow] (Weather Where You Sail)
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: [https://www.wunderground.com/ Weather Underground]
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;Current Weather Conditions:
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; Current Weather Conditions:
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* NOAA [http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/ National Databuoy Center] (realtime wind/wave data)
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: [https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/ NOAA - National Databuoy Center] (realtime wind/wave data)
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===Charts===
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==Passages==
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* Chart No 13003 (Cape Sable to Cape Hatteras)
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{{Green|List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.}}
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* Chart No 11009 (Cape Hatteras to Straits of Florida)
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*  
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* Chart No 411 (Gulf of Mexico)
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*  
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* Chart No 501 (West Coast of North America)
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''See the various ports listed below''
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==Communication==
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===Radio===
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* Generally speaking, channel 16 is monitored on [[VHF_Radio|VHF]].
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* With [[DSC]] being required equipment on commercial vessels, many ships are now only required to monitor channel 13.
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* HF frequency [http://www.14300.net 14.300MHz] is monitored almost continuously by a US-wide volunteer network of amateur radio operators.
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* There are also many radio nets throughout the day.  ''See the [[World_MM_Nets|World Maritime Mobile Nets]]'' page for a more complete listing.
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;Chart Sources:
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===Cellular===
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* Paper NOAA [http://www.landfallnavigation.com/printondemand.html "print-on-demand" charts] (up-to-date within last 2 weeks) - about $20 each<br/>
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There are four main cellular providers in the United States that provide a variety of data, talk, and text (SMS & MMS) services.  They are (in alphabetical order):
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* [http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/index.htm RNC Raster files] of NOAA Navigation Charts (free - updated weekly)
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* [https://www.att.com/wireless/ AT&T Wireless]
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* [http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/mcd/Raster/download_agreement.htm Free Download of NOAA RNCs] Info and agreement page
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* [https://www.sprint.com/ Sprint] (Recently merged with T-Mobile)
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* [http://www.agc.army.mil/echarts/inlandnav US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS Inland navigation charts] These cover the middle of the US, Mississippi River and tributaries, for the most part.  The list includes free ENC charts and downloadable paper charts to print.
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* [https://www.t-mobile.com/ T-Mobile] (Recently merged with Sprint)
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* [https://www.verizonwireless.com/ Verizon Wireless]
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===Special Navigation Notes===
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===WiFi===
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All buoyage follows the IALA-B "red-right-returning" rule, so keep red, conical-topped, even-numbered "nuns" to starboard and green, cylindrical, odd-numbered "cans" to port when entering a port. The outermost buoy will be marked with the lowest number.  
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Many marinas offer free WiFi to their customers.  It is usually beneficial to have some sort of external antenna so you can obtain a better signal while at the dock or in an anchorage.  A directional antenna is always best for signal strength but doesn't work well if you're swinging around on an anchor.  Newer wireless networks are using 5GHz access points, in addition to 2.4GHz access points.  The 5GHz access points allow more bandwidth for users meaning faster throughput for you.  If you have a dual-band device, you might be able to try both bands while at anchor or at pier side to determine what gets you the best signal and the best throughput.
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==Navigation==
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{{Warning}}All buoyage follows the IALA-B "red-right-returning" rule, so keep red, conical-topped, even-numbered "nuns" to starboard and green, cylindrical, odd-numbered "cans" to port when entering a port. The outermost buoy will be marked with the lowest number.  
Often, there will be a seabuoy ("safe water buoy") just seaward of that lowest-numbered buoy that is striped red-and-white and with a two-letter label (such as "MR" for Merrimac River entrance). Navigate to it before attempting to enter the port.
Often, there will be a seabuoy ("safe water buoy") just seaward of that lowest-numbered buoy that is striped red-and-white and with a two-letter label (such as "MR" for Merrimac River entrance). Navigate to it before attempting to enter the port.
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When encountering buoys cruising along the coast between ports, the convention is that when sailing around the continent in a clockwise fashion, one should also keep red buoys to starboard, (to avoid isolated hazards between the buoy and the coast).
When encountering buoys cruising along the coast between ports, the convention is that when sailing around the continent in a clockwise fashion, one should also keep red buoys to starboard, (to avoid isolated hazards between the buoy and the coast).
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===Local Radio Nets===
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==Entrance==
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* HF frequency [http://www.14300.net 14.300MHz] is monitored continuously by a US-wide volunteer network.
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* ''Also see [[HF_Radio|Cruiser's Nets]]''
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*
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==Arrival/Departure procedures==
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Pursuant to 19 CFR 4.2, operators of small pleasure vessels, arriving in the United States from a foreign port or place to include any vessel which has visited a hovering vessel or received merchandise outside the territorial sea, are required to report their arrival to CBP (Customs and Border Protection) immediately (see 19 U.S.C. 1433).
Pursuant to 19 CFR 4.2, operators of small pleasure vessels, arriving in the United States from a foreign port or place to include any vessel which has visited a hovering vessel or received merchandise outside the territorial sea, are required to report their arrival to CBP (Customs and Border Protection) immediately (see 19 U.S.C. 1433).
The master of the vessel reports their arrival at the nearest Customs facility or such other place as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations. These reports are tracked in the Pleasure Boat Reporting System. Pursuant to 8 CFR 235.1, an application to lawfully enter the United States must be made in person to a CBP officer at a U.S. port-of-entry when the port is open for inspection.
The master of the vessel reports their arrival at the nearest Customs facility or such other place as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations. These reports are tracked in the Pleasure Boat Reporting System. Pursuant to 8 CFR 235.1, an application to lawfully enter the United States must be made in person to a CBP officer at a U.S. port-of-entry when the port is open for inspection.
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'''Reporting Requirements'''<br/>
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'''Reporting Requirements'''<br />
CBP has designated specific reporting locations within the Field Offices that are staffed during boating season for pleasure boats to report their arrival and be inspected by CBP. The master of the boat must report to CBP telephonically and be directed to the nearest Port of Entry to satisfy the face-to-face requirement, or report to the nearest designated reporting location along with the boat’s passengers for inspection.<br>
CBP has designated specific reporting locations within the Field Offices that are staffed during boating season for pleasure boats to report their arrival and be inspected by CBP. The master of the boat must report to CBP telephonically and be directed to the nearest Port of Entry to satisfy the face-to-face requirement, or report to the nearest designated reporting location along with the boat’s passengers for inspection.<br>
<font color="red">'''Important'''</font>: See [http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html FULL REGULATIONS] on the official website.
<font color="red">'''Important'''</font>: See [http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html FULL REGULATIONS] on the official website.
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'''Notes''':
'''Notes''':
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* Qualifying recreational U.S. boaters returning from foreign ports may not have to go through an in-person re-entry interview under a new program launched by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The '''Local Boater Option''' program gives boaters in Tampa, Miami, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands the choice to register in advance with the agency, eliminating in most cases a requirement to meet with officials after every foreign visit. To enroll in the '''Local Boater Option''', set up an appointment by calling 1-800-432-1216 or 1-800-451-0393.
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* Qualifying recreational U.S. boaters returning from foreign ports may not have to go through an in-person re-entry interview under a new program launched by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The '''Local Boater Option''' program gives boaters in Tampa, Miami, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands the choice to register in advance with the agency, eliminating in most cases a requirement to meet with officials after every foreign visit. To enroll in the '''Local Boater Option''', set up an appointment by calling 1-800-432-1216 or 1-800-451-0393
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* Foreign flagged vessels are required to report their movement from one port of call, or one berth, to another. Even if a foreign flagged vessel, including those from Canada, have entered the USA legally, and cleared customs properly, THEY MUST NOTIFY US CUSTOMS - HOMELAND SECURITY if they move their vessel from one place to another. Even if the vessel is moved just from Port Everglades to Miami, for example, or even from the city of Fort Lauderdale berths on New River to Bahia Mar, the boat owners MUST notify US Customs - Homeland Security IMMEDIATELY, OR BE SUBJECT TO A $5,000.00 FINE! While it would appear, at least so far, that the enforcement of this provision is lax in some ports, a crackdown could result in some very expensive cruising for Canadians, or boat owners from other countries. It appears that this Department of Homeland Security Requirement is NOT well known among foreign cruisers.
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* Foreign flagged vessels are required to report their movement from one port of call, or one berth, to another. Even if a foreign flagged vessel, including those from Canada, have entered the USA legally, and cleared customs properly, THEY MUST NOTIFY US CUSTOMS - HOMELAND SECURITY if they move their vessel from one place to another. Even if the vessel is moved just from Port Everglades to Miami, for example, or even from the city of Fort Lauderdale berths on New River to Bahia Mar, the boat owners MUST notify US Customs - Homeland Security IMMEDIATELY, OR BE SUBJECT TO A $5,000.00 FINE! While it would appear, at least so far, that the enforcement of this provision is lax in some ports, a crackdown could result in some very expensive cruising for Canadians, or boat owners from other countries It appears that this Department of Homeland Security Requirement is NOT well known among foreign cruisers
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*
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==Immigration, Visas & Customs==
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===Customs and Immigration===
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===Immigration===
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====Customs====
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The best source for information regarding visas is the [http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html US government pages - Visas]
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===Customs===
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The best source for Customs & Clearing information is the
The best source for Customs & Clearing information is the
[http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/home.xml U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP.gov]
[http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/home.xml U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP.gov]
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==Health & Security==
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====Immigration====
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The best source for information regarding visas is the [http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html US government pages - Visas]
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===Health & Security===
Submit any health warnings/information and any security details here.
Submit any health warnings/information and any security details here.
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==Ports & Popular Stops==
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==[http://www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/Category:Islands_-_American External Territories]==
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{| class="wikitable"
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* [[American Samoa]]
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* [[Guam]]
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* [[Hawaii|Hawaii (State)]]
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* [[Northern Marianas|Northern Mariana Islands]]
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* [[Puerto Rico]]
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* [[US Virgins|US Virgin Islands]]
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==Berthing==
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{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
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'''US COASTAL PORTS/STOPS (BY STATE, CLOCKWISE)'''   
'''US COASTAL PORTS/STOPS (BY STATE, CLOCKWISE)'''   
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|- bgcolor="#ABCDEF" align="center"
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|'''NEW ENGLAND (N-to-S)''' || '''MID-ATLANTIC (N-to-S)''' || '''SOUTHEAST (N-to-S)''' || '''GULF COAST (E-to-W)''' || '''PACIFIC (S-to-N)'''
|-
|-
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|valign="top"|'''NEW ENGLAND <br/> (N-to-S)''' <br/> <br/>[[Maine|Maine (ME)]] <br/>[[New Hampshire|New Hampshire (NH)]] <br/>[[Massachusetts|Massachusetts (MA)]] <br/>[[Rhode Island|Rhode Island (RI)]] <br>[[Connecticut|Connecticut (CT)]]
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|id "NEW ENGLAND" valign="top"|
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|valign="top"|'''MID-ATLANTIC <br/> (N-to-S)''' <br/> <br/>[[New York State|New York (State-NY)]] <br/>[[New Jersey|New Jersey (NJ)]] <br/>[[Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania (PA)]] <br/>[[Delaware|Delaware (DE)]] <br/>[[Maryland|Maryland (MD)]] <br/>[[Washington, DC]] <br/>
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: [[Maine|Maine (ME)]]
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|valign="top"|'''SOUTHEAST <br/> (N-to-S)''' <br/> <br/>[[Virginia|Virginia (VA)]] <br/>[[North Carolina|North Carolina (NC)]] <br/>[[South Carolina|South Carolina (SC)]] <br/>[[Georgia State|Georgia (GA)]] <br/>[[Florida State|Florida (FL)]]  
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: [[New Hampshire|New Hampshire (NH)]]
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|valign="top"|'''GULF COAST <br/> (E-to-W)''' <br/> <br/>[[Alabama|Alabama (AL)]] <br/>[[Mississippi|Mississippi (MS)]] <br/>[[Louisiana|Louisiana (LA)]] <br/>[[Texas|Texas (TX)]]
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: [[Massachusetts|Massachusetts (MA)]]
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|valign="top"|'''PACIFIC <br/> (S-to-N)''' <br/> <br/>[[Hawaii|Hawaii (HI)]] <br/>[[California|California (CA)]] <br/>[[Oregon|Oregon (OR)]] <br/> [[Washington State|Washington (State-WA)]] <br/>[[Alaska|Alaska (AK)]]
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: [[Rhode Island|Rhode Island (RI)]]
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: [[Connecticut|Connecticut (CT)]]
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|id "MID-ATLANTIC" valign="top" |
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: [[New York State|New York (NY)]]
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: [[New Jersey|New Jersey (NJ)]]
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: [[Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania (PA)]]
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: [[Delaware|Delaware (DE)]]
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: [[Maryland|Maryland (MD)]]
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: [[Washington, DC]]
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|id "SOUTHEAST" valign="top" |
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: [[Virginia|Virginia (VA)]]
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: [[North Carolina|North Carolina (NC)]]
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: [[South Carolina|South Carolina (SC)]]
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: [[Georgia State|Georgia (GA)]]
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: [[Florida State|Florida (FL)]]
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|id "GULF COAST" valign="top" |
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: [[Alabama|Alabama (AL)]]
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: [[Mississippi|Mississippi (MS)]]
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: [[Louisiana|Louisiana (LA)]]
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: [[Texas|Texas (TX)]]
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|id "PACIFIC" valign="top" |
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: [[Hawaii|Hawaii (HI)]]
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: [[California|California (CA)]]
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: [[Oregon|Oregon (OR)]]
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: [[Washington State|Washington (WA)]]
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: [[Alaska|Alaska (AK)]]
|}
|}
'''''Also see:'''''
'''''Also see:'''''
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* [[AICW|Intracoastal Waterway (AICW)]]  (Norfolk, VA to Key West, FL) (Has data)
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* [[AICW|Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW)]]  (Norfolk, VA to Key West, FL) (Has data)
* [[GICW|Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GICW)]]  (Brownsville, TX to Ft. Myers, FL)
* [[GICW|Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GICW)]]  (Brownsville, TX to Ft. Myers, FL)
* [[Okeechobee_Waterway|Okeechobee Waterway]] Trans [[Florida State|Florida]] (E/W)
* [[Okeechobee_Waterway|Okeechobee Waterway]] Trans [[Florida State|Florida]] (E/W)
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===[http://www.cruiserswiki.org/wiki/Category:Islands_-_American External Territories]===
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==Transportation==
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* [[American Samoa]]
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{{GreenText|List transportation to other countries, etc.}}
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* [[Guam]]
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*  
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* [[Hawaii|Hawaiian Islands (State)]]
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*
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* [[Northern Marianas|Northern Mariana Islands]]
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* [[Puerto Rico]]
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* [[US Virgins|US Virgin Islands]]
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==Cruiser's Friends==
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==Friends==
Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
*  
*  
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==Links to Forum discussions==
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==Forums==
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List links to discussion threads on [[Cruising Forums|partnering forums]]. (see link for requirements)
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List links to discussion threads on [[Cruising Forums|partnering forums]]. (''see link for requirements'')
*  [http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/tags/usa.html US Sailing and Cruising Discussions on Cruisers Forum]
*  [http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/tags/usa.html US Sailing and Cruising Discussions on Cruisers Forum]
*  
*  
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===External Links===
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==Links==
* [http://www.perrimarinesalesltd.com '''Perri Marine Sales'''] - Internet Marine Sales, Same day delivery.
* [http://www.perrimarinesalesltd.com '''Perri Marine Sales'''] - Internet Marine Sales, Same day delivery.
* [http://www.cimaboattransport.com '''Over land boat transport, Sail and power - up to 45', CIMA Boat Transportation'''] Tel:  (941) 639-2606
* [http://www.cimaboattransport.com '''Over land boat transport, Sail and power - up to 45', CIMA Boat Transportation'''] Tel:  (941) 639-2606
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*
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States Wikipedia - United States]
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==Personal Notes==
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Personal experiences?
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*
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==References & Publications==
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==References==
Books, Guides, etc.
Books, Guides, etc.
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''''' Pacific:'''''  
''''' Pacific:'''''  
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{{Guide1}}
 
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{{Comments}}
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{{page useable}}
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{|id="mp-right" width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" style="vertical-align:top; background:#fff5ee; border:1px solid #fa8072;"
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! <h2 id="mp-itn-h2" style="margin:0; background:#ffe4e1; font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #fa8072; text-align:left; color:#000; padding:0.2em 0.4em;">[[image:SailorSmiley.gif]]Contributors to this page <small>[''add 3 tildes (<nowiki>~~~</nowiki>) on the name line'']</small></h2>
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{{Contributors|[[User:Lighthouse|Lighthouse]], [[User:JeanneP|JeanneP]], [[User:Haiqu|Haiqu]]}}
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|style="color:#000;"|<small>
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'''Names''':
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</small>
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<br>
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{|id="mp-right" width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" style="vertical-align:top; background:#f5faff; border:1px solid #a3b0bf;"
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! <h2 id="mp-itn-h2" style="margin:0; background:#cedff2; font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #a3b0bf; text-align:left; color:#000; padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Cruising Wiki Navigation</h2>
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|-
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|style="color:#000;"| | [[World Cruising and Sailing Wiki|HOMEPAGE]] | [[World Cruising Guides|Wiki Contents]] | [[Northern America]] | [[United States]] |
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[[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:Countries]]

Latest revision as of 17:05, 24 April 2020

WorldNorthern AmericaUnited States
United States
39°41.939'N, 100°49.209'W Chart icon.png
United States-CIA WFB Map.png
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USA
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Flag
Capital Washington D.C.
Language English
Currency US Dollar (USD)
Time zone Atlantic: UTC-5, Gulf: UTC-6, Pacific: UTC-8, Alaska: UTC-9, Hawaii: UTC-10.
(DST observed except for Hawaii and Arizona)
Calling code +1

Note: This World Cruising Wiki cannot hope to cover all the sailing activities and regions in the U.S.A. This Wiki does however attempt to cover the U.S. ports and areas that may be of interest to world cruisers.

For cruising see individual regions

Charts

NOAA
Chart No 13003 - Cape Sable to Cape Hatteras
Chart No 11009 - Cape Hatteras to Straits of Florida
Chart No 411 - Gulf of Mexico
Chart No 501 - West Coast of North America

See the various ports listed below

Chart sources:


Weather

Weather in the United States of America (USA) ranges from tropical to arctic. There are many resources available to assist with planning before you get out on the water. These sites below generally cover weather for all fifty states and territories.

Weather Forecasts, Advisories, and Warnings
NOAA - National Weather Service - Marine Weather Services
NOAA - National Hurricane Center & Central Pacific Hurricane Center
SailFlow (Weather Where You Sail)
Weather Underground
Current Weather Conditions
NOAA - National Databuoy Center (realtime wind/wave data)

Passages

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Communication

Radio

  • Generally speaking, channel 16 is monitored on VHF.
  • With DSC being required equipment on commercial vessels, many ships are now only required to monitor channel 13.
  • HF frequency 14.300MHz is monitored almost continuously by a US-wide volunteer network of amateur radio operators.
  • There are also many radio nets throughout the day. See the World Maritime Mobile Nets page for a more complete listing.

Cellular

There are four main cellular providers in the United States that provide a variety of data, talk, and text (SMS & MMS) services. They are (in alphabetical order):

WiFi

Many marinas offer free WiFi to their customers. It is usually beneficial to have some sort of external antenna so you can obtain a better signal while at the dock or in an anchorage. A directional antenna is always best for signal strength but doesn't work well if you're swinging around on an anchor. Newer wireless networks are using 5GHz access points, in addition to 2.4GHz access points. The 5GHz access points allow more bandwidth for users meaning faster throughput for you. If you have a dual-band device, you might be able to try both bands while at anchor or at pier side to determine what gets you the best signal and the best throughput.

Navigation

Warning: All buoyage follows the IALA-B "red-right-returning" rule, so keep red, conical-topped, even-numbered "nuns" to starboard and green, cylindrical, odd-numbered "cans" to port when entering a port. The outermost buoy will be marked with the lowest number.

Often, there will be a seabuoy ("safe water buoy") just seaward of that lowest-numbered buoy that is striped red-and-white and with a two-letter label (such as "MR" for Merrimac River entrance). Navigate to it before attempting to enter the port.

When encountering buoys cruising along the coast between ports, the convention is that when sailing around the continent in a clockwise fashion, one should also keep red buoys to starboard, (to avoid isolated hazards between the buoy and the coast).

Entrance

Pursuant to 19 CFR 4.2, operators of small pleasure vessels, arriving in the United States from a foreign port or place to include any vessel which has visited a hovering vessel or received merchandise outside the territorial sea, are required to report their arrival to CBP (Customs and Border Protection) immediately (see 19 U.S.C. 1433).

The master of the vessel reports their arrival at the nearest Customs facility or such other place as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations. These reports are tracked in the Pleasure Boat Reporting System. Pursuant to 8 CFR 235.1, an application to lawfully enter the United States must be made in person to a CBP officer at a U.S. port-of-entry when the port is open for inspection.

Reporting Requirements
CBP has designated specific reporting locations within the Field Offices that are staffed during boating season for pleasure boats to report their arrival and be inspected by CBP. The master of the boat must report to CBP telephonically and be directed to the nearest Port of Entry to satisfy the face-to-face requirement, or report to the nearest designated reporting location along with the boat’s passengers for inspection.
Important: See FULL REGULATIONS on the official website.

Also visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Locations webpage. This gives all the details for the various ports of entry in the U.S.

Notes:

  • Qualifying recreational U.S. boaters returning from foreign ports may not have to go through an in-person re-entry interview under a new program launched by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Local Boater Option program gives boaters in Tampa, Miami, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands the choice to register in advance with the agency, eliminating in most cases a requirement to meet with officials after every foreign visit. To enroll in the Local Boater Option, set up an appointment by calling 1-800-432-1216 or 1-800-451-0393
  • Foreign flagged vessels are required to report their movement from one port of call, or one berth, to another. Even if a foreign flagged vessel, including those from Canada, have entered the USA legally, and cleared customs properly, THEY MUST NOTIFY US CUSTOMS - HOMELAND SECURITY if they move their vessel from one place to another. Even if the vessel is moved just from Port Everglades to Miami, for example, or even from the city of Fort Lauderdale berths on New River to Bahia Mar, the boat owners MUST notify US Customs - Homeland Security IMMEDIATELY, OR BE SUBJECT TO A $5,000.00 FINE! While it would appear, at least so far, that the enforcement of this provision is lax in some ports, a crackdown could result in some very expensive cruising for Canadians, or boat owners from other countries It appears that this Department of Homeland Security Requirement is NOT well known among foreign cruisers

Customs and Immigration

Customs

The best source for Customs & Clearing information is the U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP.gov


Immigration

The best source for information regarding visas is the US government pages - Visas

Health & Security

Submit any health warnings/information and any security details here.

External Territories

Berthing

US COASTAL PORTS/STOPS (BY STATE, CLOCKWISE)
NEW ENGLAND (N-to-S) MID-ATLANTIC (N-to-S) SOUTHEAST (N-to-S) GULF COAST (E-to-W) PACIFIC (S-to-N)
Maine (ME)
New Hampshire (NH)
Massachusetts (MA)
Rhode Island (RI)
Connecticut (CT)
New York (NY)
New Jersey (NJ)
Pennsylvania (PA)
Delaware (DE)
Maryland (MD)
Washington, DC
Virginia (VA)
North Carolina (NC)
South Carolina (SC)
Georgia (GA)
Florida (FL)
Alabama (AL)
Mississippi (MS)
Louisiana (LA)
Texas (TX)
Hawaii (HI)
California (CA)
Oregon (OR)
Washington (WA)
Alaska (AK)

Also see:

Transportation

List transportation to other countries, etc.

Friends

Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

References

Books, Guides, etc.

Atlantic Coast:

  • MapTech "Embassy" Crusing Guides If you can only afford one, this is it. (MapTech makes NOAA's digital charts and provides a free raster chart reader based on their navigation software. They also sell paper "ChartKit" books by region.)
    • New England Coast
    • Long Island Sound to Cape May, NJ
    • Chesapeake Bay to Florida
    • Florida
  • Waterway Guides (Also good, especially for upscale marina-hopping, but fewer ports and marinas covered.)
    • Northern
    • Chesapeake Bay
    • Atlantic ICW (Intra-coastal Waterway)
    • Southern
  • plus


Gulf Coast:


Pacific:


Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.


This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.


SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Lighthouse, JeanneP, Haiqu


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