Before leaving Canada, I had phoned Fort Myers about renewing our U S Cruising permit. I was told, No problem, it is all done by the CBP government website. I have the app. Looked into ir, and figured cool, no problem.
Silly me, we are dealing with government. As we are ready to roll, I log in, fill in the blanks, and hit send. Part of the process is an online interview with an agent. The Spanish speaking agent comes on, and says I can not apply as my boat is in the U S. Yes, it has been here for 2 years because of covid. Well het the boat out of the U S and call us….yes I will, but if I move my boat to het out of the U S, I am breaking American boating laws. Answer from them, Cant help you.
I phone Fort Myers Customs. Answering machine says customs is closed Sunday and Monday. 😢 Really! Bad guys come on down!
Then I phone Fort Lauderdale. We only deal with boats on the East coast! Try Miami. I phone Miami. It is after 5 and we are closed. 😔
Morning of the 16th. Phone Miami customs. Glad to help you sir. Where are you. Labelle. Well get your boat out of the country. Yes sir, can I have a pass to get out of the country. No. Try Port Everglades.oh man, oh man. Call Port Everglades, closed for a professional day! Call Miami again, and this time get an agent that is interested in our plight. Say, call Tampa Bay airport. There is an agent up there that is a wizard with Canadians. He gives me the agents cell number.
I call, and a man answers, Joseph Smagowich, can I help you. Wow, I have not heard that for a while. I tell him what My problem is, and he says………No Problem. I will get the guys in Ft Myers to process your paperwork. Call me back at 4. Promptly at 4 I call back, and he is pissed. The guys are off on some course, and wont answer my calls. Hate to say this but you need to drive up to Tampa Bay and see me personally. Heck at this point I would have driven to Sault Saint Marie! Next day we meet at 1:00 he waves his magic wand over the computer, and a one year cruising permit is issued. Cant say enough good things about Officer Smagowich!