The Harbor Column -- Mike Whitehead

Ahoy.

Good news from our northern border neighbor Canada is that their

CANPASS program for recreational boaters, shut down since after Sept. 11,

will be reinstated for the boating season.

The CANPASS is a boater-friendly system for checking into customs

after crossing into Canadian waters from our Pacific Northwest. I have

used this system many times and I have only praise for the practical

approach to helping boaters check in any time of the day.

Not so true every time I deal with the U.S.-Mexican border crossing in

either direction. I cringe at that time-consuming and boater-unfriendly

check-in system. However, those of you preparing to head north and who

are citizens of either Canada or the U.S. will find traveling into Canada

from the United States is just a telephone call to the Canada Customs if

you have a pre-approved permit.

I highly recommend getting a permit before you cross into Canada and

you will find the customs process very easy even if your vessel is

selected for a boarding inspection. If you do not have a permit, you must

first dock at a government float that has a customs station or dock at an

approved telephone reporting site.

A little tip I use is to call in after 5 p.m. as most customs dock

offices are closed and you are more likely to just be given your customs

numbers over the phone.

When you call customs, be sure to have the your voyage itinerary

ready, the name, birthday and nationality of everyone onboard, vessel

documentation numbers and anything to declare.

Oh, you might want to remember to fuel and stock up your provisions in

Washington as once you cross the border, the prices are much higher at

the marinas.

One of these days I will write about one of my scenic trips into these

cruising areas that I consider the best boating in the West. It’s just

too bad the winter gets a little cold -- where did I put that ice pick?

***

Back in the United States, the Bush Administration has taken dredging

for shallow-draft harbors out of the 2003 fiscal budget.

The dredging priorities are continually shifted to the deep-draft

harbors that are used primarily for commercial shipping. Their reasoning

is based on the economic value and activity that these larger ports

generate to the economy.

I understand that, for example, Long Beach Harbor is one of the

busiest commercial ports in the world and billions of dollars of goods

pass through the docks, but it is all relative to the community. Look at

the economic impact derived from Newport Harbor to the area, which can be

affected by the recent budget cuts.

Dredging is important to the commercial and recreational use of the

bay, which is directly related to the survival of the harbor, surrounding

businesses and all the property values. Other harbors throughout the

nation are feeling the effects of their channels filling in and many

harbor communities are seriously worried about the budget cuts. Some of

these communities are trying to persuade the federal government to fund

dredging for shallow-draft harbors because the small harbors will

dramatically feel a decrease in accessibility. This will affect the

prices of residential properties, as well, if the bay is not dredged for

safe boating.

Property comparisons have shown that prices are typically higher for a

home backing up to a waterway that is accessible for boating. Dredging is

a multifaceted, cost-sharing issue in Newport extending from the federal

government maintaining the main channels to state, county and city

officials maintaining certain channels to property owners maintaining

their docks and bay beaches.

Newport is actively trying to secure funding for lower bay dredging

and now you need to contact your representative to put pressure on Bush

to allocate dredging dollars.

***

Tip of the week: Those of you heading up to Long Beach with your boat

to watch the Long Beach Toyota Grand Prix Race should be prepared for

additional security measures in the harbor. The city of Long Beach will

close off the east entrance to the downtown marina from Thursday to

Sunday during the race. When attempting to enter the marina, use the main

entrance adjacent to the Los Angeles River and refer to your chart

number, 18751.

Also, when underway, expect an increase of patrol vessels in the areas

by the race course and I highly recommend that you follow any directions

given by security personnel.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send him

your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions via e-mail

to o7 Mike@BoathouseTV.comf7 or o7 BoathouseTV.comf7 .