USCG To Enforce Advance Notice of Arrival Regulations

U.S. Coast Guard Public Advisory Update

UPDATE: On 5/26/2004 we received this update from Frank Herhold:
Conversations with the USCG subsequent to the May 21, 2004 bulletin have revealed additional information regarding the 96-Hour Advance Notice of Arrival (ANOA) regulation. The regulation, adopted in February 28, 2003, includes a correction made by the USCG. The correction was included in the Federal Register on November 10, 2003 and amended the regulation to clarify exempt vessels.
We are pleased to announce that U.S. recreational vessels are exempt from the ANOA requirements.
Envirocare and MIASF received final confirmation this morning from Captain of the Port Jim Watson that ALL US flagged recreational vessels are exempt from the Notice of Arrival requirements.

This is the notice prior to the update on On 5/26/2004:

Effective immediately, the USCG will be enforcing regulations requiring all vessels entering U.S. waters from a foreign port give a 96-Hour Advance Notice of Arrival. Although this regulation is not new the USCG has recently begun enforcing this law in conjunction with the increased security requirements established by the Homeland Security Regulations.

Who Is Affected?

Any recreational or commercial vessel entering a U.S. port from a foreign destination.

How to I file my Advance Notice of Arrival (ANOA)?

The USCG advises that there will be no exceptions regardless of the size of the vessel.

If you are operating a vessel under 300 GT, you must file an ANOA with the appropriate Captain of the Port (COTP). The Miami COTP area encompasses from Malabar to Cape Romano, Florida including the Florida Keys. Their contact information is as follows: (Ph.) (305) 535-8701 (Fax) (305) 535-8761. After downloading and completing the ANOA form, it must be faxed to the COTP.

If you are operating a vessel 300 GT or greater, you must file an ANOA with the National Vessel Movement Center (NVMC) 96 hours prior to arriving at a U.S. port. This ANOA can be either completed online or via an electronic form that can be emailed to the NVMC at sans@nvmc.uscg.gov. To complete an online ANOA or to download the ANOA form, visit http://www.nvmc.uscg.gov/. The NVMC can also be contacted at (800) 708-9823.

What about spontaneous or short day trips to the Bahamas?

The USCG understands that due to Miami's close proximity to the Bahamas, recreational boaters frequently visit foreign ports spontaneously or for short durations of time. The intent of this regulation is to enhance the security of our ports by monitoring who is entering U.S. territorial waters. For boaters who are departing from a foreign port with a cruise duration of less than 96 hours but greater than 24 hours, the appropriate U.S. authorities must be notified prior to leaving the foreign port. If the duration of the cruise is less than 24 hours, the appropriate U.S. authorities must be notified 24 hours in advance of arrival at the first U.S. port. It is also recommended that recreational boaters emphasize in their ANOA that they will be following the reported trip itinerary, weather permitting. In the event that weather conditions prevent boaters from adhering to their proposed schedule, they should notify the appropriate authority within the time limits specified above.

What do I do if my estimated time of arrival changes?

All boaters must notify the appropriate authority of any modifications to your itinerary within the time limits specified in the previous section. Changes to your estimated time of arrival that are less than 6 hours do not need to be reported. If you filed your ANOA online with the NVMC, you must email your itinerary changes. If you filed your ANOA with the COTP, you must either call the COTP to notify them of your changes or fax a revised ANOA.

What happens if I do not file an ANOA with the appropriate authority?

The vessel is required to remain outside U.S. waters until the required information is provided and processed addressing appropriate notification and any security issues that would prevent the vessel from entering the port. This may include USCG officers boarding and searching your vessel. First time offenders may be issued a Letter of Warning. Those vessels found to be in violation of the ANOA procedures a second time will be subject to civil penalty action seeking the maximum allowable penalty. Continual offenders (three or more failures) will be required to remain outside U.S. territorial waters for the appropriate 24 or 96 hour time period depending on the last port of call.

This notification was brought to you by the MIASF and EnviroCare Inc, working with the USCG to disseminate information to all boaters.

This annoucement was received by Fort Lauderdale Marine Directory from the MIASF on May 21, 2004.

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Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Saturday, May 17, 2008 3:04 am DST