US Boat Sailing in Canada

[hvolkhart]

We are planning to spend our summer vacation in the North Channel of Lake Huron.
Reading on Canadian regulations we are wondering what licenses do we need?
(We have the Boat US boating license and the international Captains patent incl. VHF License).
Our Boat is registered in Illinois and we are planning to trailer up to DeTour passage and launch there. The trip should take about 2 weeks.
What are the regulations for the toilet? Do we have to re-build our porta-poti to a pump out version?

[Shane]

We are planning to spend our summer vacation in the North Channel of Lake Huron.
Reading on Canadian regulations we are wondering what licenses do we need?
(We have the Boat US boating license and the international Captains patent incl. VHF License).
Our Boat is registered in Illinois and we are planning to trailer up to DeTour passage and launch there. The trip should take about 2 weeks.
What are the regulations for the toilet? Do we have to re-build our porta-poti to a pump out version?

I'm not sure about discharge regs in the Great Lakes or inland waters, but as of Sept 19, all pleasure craft operators are required to possess a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). For VHF, a Restricted Operators Certificate (Maritime) or ROC(M) is required. Equivalency for ROC(M) is given for licensing in country of origin, at least in practice -as this was all being dealt with post 9-11 and many formal laws have not been ratified. So your US license for a US registered vessel would be considered acceptable.

As for operating regs. I believe that is handled state by state in the US; correct? I know that WA state has their Safe Boaters Card and they accept Canadian PCOC cards as an equivalent; I believe there is a 14 day limitation posed by Cdn side for US visitors. Try www.boatingsafety.gc.ca, or 1.800.267.6687 to confirm.

Dumping regs. back east I wouldn't want to guess. On the west coast there is no problem with portapottie systems, provided you do not discharge in open water. Packing the tank up and dumping land based (ie: toilet) is perfectly fine.

Hope that helps, and hope you have a great trip.

Regards,
Shane

[Doctor Z]

Only residents are required to possess a Pleasure Craft Operator Card - short term visitors are exempt in much the same way that you don't need a Canadian driver's licence if you're visiting.

Found this at this website:
http://www.boaterexam.com/canada/faq_rules-en.aspx

Q. What if I don’t live in Canada, but boat there?
A. Non-residents only need to obtain a Pleasure Craft Operator Card if they are operating their powered boat in Canadian waters for more than 45 consecutive days or if the boat they are operating is registered or licensed in Canada (this includes rented boats). Boater Education Cards or equivalent certifications are recognized in Canada. Proper identification should be kept on board at all times to provide proof of residency.

[Jim Bunnell]

Look here http://www.trailersailors.org/webpage/36 for specific information on the North Channel along with several helpful links. A beautiful place to cruise!

[tangentair]

If you have time this weekend, you might want to run down to strictly sail at Navy Pier. There are several seminars (you may have to refresh the link if it doesn't load the first time) on the area and they can answer all the questions and more. The one Saturday - 2:15 Cruising Lake Huron's Fabulous North Channel Ralph Folsom & Pixie Haughwout, I have heard and they are trying to sell you their cruising guide. It is informative but they still turned me off a little. The one Staurday at 4:14 and Sunday at 2:15 Sailing the North Channel in One Week Anna Pasteris & Anne Matz might be interesting, and there are several on the Apostle Islands as well. They are only about 8 hours from us. I had surgery recently and my wife won't let me go until the doc OKs it and I don't see him till Friday so I don't know if I will get there or not. Of course the Sunday afternoon seminars are subject to being cancelled at the last minute if not enough people show up or the game gets interesting.

[Alex]

I hope you can find more information here
http://boating.ncf.ca/index.html

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

The only thing I would worry about is the fresh water porta potty rules. Thankfully in the salt water area's we don't have those restrictions. The Canadian rules are much more lax than the US ones. Also be sure you are up on the current food and beverage (alcohol) restrictions. There are quite a few meats and fruits you can't bring in. You don't need anything else to cruise in Canada. When you clear customs, after presenting all your info, you'll get a number that you need to write on a card and display in your window for the duration of the cruise. That's it, although it is nice to fly a courtesy Canadian flag from a spreader halyard if you have one.

It's actually much easier to go into Canada on a boat than it is to get back into the US. If you do it often you might consider getting CanPass and I68 or Nexus card. These let you be pre-screened and allow you to report by phone without stopping at a designated customs station going either direction. As always these days things are just easier if you have a Passport instead of using a drivers license and birth certificate. If you never fly, the new US Passport card is cheaper and is good for car or boat entry to Canada and Mexico. The rules are slated to change this June to require more ID.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

This site always has very current info

http://www.waggonerguide.com/up_news.html

By the way, if you are in the Pacific Northwest this is the best cruising guide there is. Every boat should have one on board.

[Indulgence]

As an American citizen you will be required to demostrate
proof of ability to consume Canadian beer without dropping
into a coma after three. Pre screening available at most
local liquor outlets.

[dreamer]

I'm quite certain a pump out is the rule. You may also want to visit http://www.glcclub.com/I think they are based out of the Chicago Area.

[seahouse]

Hi --

Two things (=my 2 cents, Canadian currency).

1. Porta-potties are strictly verboten anywhere in Ontario waters.

2. In order to use the Nexus card EVERY person on board MUST posess a valid Nexus card.

-Brian.

[bubba]

Here in Wa. state my wife and I took our pass ports to the driver licence department last year and got our enhanced drivers licence, it has to stay in a radio frequency protection cover. That is what we are told to use to go into Canadian and back into the US. As far as potties BWY's sell to folks in BC and they sell the same setup as every one else in the US.

[John Christian]

After living and Sailing the Michigan Ontario border for 30 years I'd recommend staying in Potagannissing Bay and Michigan waters. The Ontario Boating regs are insane, ditto with customs. After a while you get the idea they just dont want us and you stay clear.

There are enough gunkholes in Potagannissing Bay and Drummond Island to keep you happy for a week.

[Jim Bunnell]

Obviously we all have different experiences, and I haven't been sailing this area for thirty years, but I have trailed up to Spanish, Ontario (North shore of North Channel) several years in row and spent 1 to 2 weeks on the water each time. Customs at the border (Sault Saint Marie) were efficient and friendly, the on dock inspection teams pleasant - do make sure to get a form saying you trailered in when you cross the border, they ask - and while I did plumb my porta-potti for pump-out, no one has ever checked. I would not hesitate to sail the area; it is beautiful, and since much of the land is First Nation land, it is uncrowded with almost no PWC!

[Québec 1]

I will probably have a question or 2 before I make any holes in the boat.
Q1

Feel free to ask - there are several board members who have done similar setups. "Warms up" .. what a concept!

My front yard waiting to be warmed up!!!!!

[Highlander]

Bertrand

Not nearly as much snow as last year ! has Kayak Dan & Admiral left QC already too bad I was not able to get up their last wk-end
I looked at the pic's not too crazy of the pump out coming out through & into the v-berth though. my p/o goes straight up out through the head compartment cabin roof

J