SNOWBIRD'S the INTERCOSTAL & SOUTH

Congratulations! Cast off those lines and get going.

We do know - have were for 10 years.
Leaving on a 42' ketch & 65' John Hanna motor sailor

This is written for Canadians headed south although many of the comments apply top anyone considering spending time cruising offshore and out of territorial waters.

For current political and travel advisories in any country, phone toll-free 1-800-267-6788 or in Ottawa, Ontario phone 944-6788.

The department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade provides Travel Advisory Reports for general travel information and requirements for the United States and Florida. The Foreign Affairs Department also has a brochure called Crossing the 49th which covers many of the twists and turns for Canadians chasing the sun southward with a listing of Canadian diplomatic contacts in the US which may be useful were you to run afoul of the law.

Once you leave Canada things change.

RESPONSIBILITY, RESPONSIBILITY, RESPONSIBILITY

You are a foreign vessel, and you are the Captain. Do not take things for granted.
Boats can sink - I recommend keeping important papers in a waterproof pouch with a spare duplicate set in your abandon ship bag (also in waterproof pouch).

A valid, up to date, passport - no exceptions

(forget half measures of drivers license in spite of what some people say)!

You will also need appropriate courtesy flags for within other countries waters

A Q (quarantine) flag for entering some countys.

Make six copies of your complete crew with complete names, passport numbers and date of birth

(it can make things much easier with cheep copiers at hand).

Check requirements for visitor licensing in the countries you plan to visit through their embassy or consulate offices before you leave.

Ensure that your vessel registration and ownership is in order and duplicated.

If your vessel is financed ensure you have the authority to take her out of the country in writing and very official.

HEALTH CARE: Health Canada will provide bulletins on communicable diseases in other countries and travel. As a rule of thumb any time you leave the Canada for over 6 months, you may loose health care eligibility. Check your provincial residency requirements carefully and do not count on Canadian standards of health care, or take anything for granted. We recommend additional travel insurance, as emergency care can be amazing some places.

COMMUNICATIONS: Settle on a long term discount international phone provider where you can maintain an account even if you shut off your home phone or pick up pre paid phone cards as you go through the USA for long-distance phone calls. If you have the bucks a satellite phone would be cool, but not cheep. A normal PCS with a good roaming deal will see you through most of the USA.

VHF, SSB, or HAM RADIOS Have appropriate radio licenses for any radios onboard. You will find a handy Cruising Canada navigation desk VHF channel guide you can print out on our site here. I tended to use VHF 13 constantly as it is where the commercial intership traffic happens on most of the east seaboard, as well as bridges or locks.

SECURITY BOARDINGS & GUNS

I differ for many Canadian boating sites.

I have always been accused of being extreme even militant.
But I SURVIVED TWO MAJOR ENCOUNTERS IN 5 YEARS and have been boarded too many times to count.

I say carry a gun on board in international waters, know how, and be prepared to use it once clear of Canadian and USA waters.

True this is a sticky point these days. When there is no one else there, my choice and conscious was always clear. Many southern states are an easy palace to finalize your requirements at a gun show or many dealers if you have a clean record or do a little hunting.

YOU WILL BE BOARDED. On the average you can expect to be boarded more often in USA waters than offshore, particularly on the way back north. Florida, Carolina's and Georgia are very vigilant due to smugglers as are Savannah and Charleston.

When you are boarded, (not if) the Captain will taken forward and the crew aft as a matter of procedure.

FINALLY AND ABOVE ALL! Do not bring guns back into the USA or Canada due to current regulations loose them in deep water.

But on the high seas ... Set your guard band radar at night, and do not trust unidentified approaching vessels. Boat Boys can be a pest and a trip to your local marshal arts supplier for a bunch of (spike balls) which you to lay on the deck at night provide a great alarm for bare footed visitors, and get a good night sleep. Your basic flare gun, can also be purchased in a stainless version designed to handle a slug known as the MACHETTE STOPPER, and other than trying to break your wrist provides a great companionway weapon. Knowledge, Knowledge and outright port gossip all provide the solitary cruiser insight into what areas are HOT and should be avoided. Once in the islands the local pub and marina gossip will pretty much tell you where to beware of. LISTEN UP.

MEDICAL

Talk to your doctor get adequate prescriptions for an extended time. Most doctors will help you with correct prescriptions and usage directions for an emergency medical kit if they know you and know you are headed for international waters. Take a StJohns course, you may be the only resource aboard. Drugs are a problem. Keep ALL DRUGS in original bottles. Keep a copy of the prescriptions separate (in that waterproof pouch) and the drugs in their bottles. The USA does not allow some common over the counter pain killers.

Stock drugs needed for common health problems along with a comprehensive first aid kit. You probably will use at least one of them, saving yourself a lengthy search for a doctor if you already know you have dysentery or cracked ribs.

Have a emergency dental kit, you would be amazed what you can do when choices are limited. Ensure your mouth is A-OK long before leaving and take care of them when you go. Loosing your dentures can be a real loss away from home.

I have read some mundane foolishness is some sites.

POOH I SAYGoing south requires that you know how to sail, navigate, plot weather systems and be able to fix your boat PERIOD. Or have a lot of money and a sat phone.

MONEY

Just can not have enough. On the other hand most cruisers learn how to pick up little cash infusions along the way after a year or so. Depends how far south and for how long.

You are on the net now, so set up a hot mail or the like email account where you will have the same log on. Most recreation destinations now have some sort of way to log on, be that an internet cafe or as marina guest. Worst case a old fashioned acoustic modem or that nice new little organizer will do the job. Most of all your home mail and affairs require someone locally to field queries. An extended voyage will require setting up a mail forwarding system like several who cater to cruisers. How will you handle postal mail (friend, family, service), money (money machines, credit card company with auto-payment, travellers checks), investment decisions.

Animals require health papers. A rabies certificate must current carried. Bahamas requires very current veterinarian documentation so one of the last Florida visits is the vets. Some places may not allow your pets to leave the boat, which caused my feline to become stressed out puss on several occasions when denied shore leave.