Transiting BC, WA-AK

Hunkydory · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:57 pm Post subject:

Richard, thanks again.

Jay

kennharriet · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 6:44 pm Post subject:

You are welcome Jay. I am very much enjoying the conversation and learning a great deal. I believe Americans and Canadians have a great deal of ingenuity when it comes to figuring out how to make things work in difficult times. Not beat the system or break the law but rather think through the limitations and provide solutions.

When I was a teenager I used to do yard care for an elderly couple in their mid 80’s. He would tell stories of his adventures when he was a young man traveling to Alaska. When he was 19 yrs old which would have been about 1912, he took a combination of steamers and open skiff from WA to Skagway. Can you imagine the challenges then to get to AK. I regret not hearing more about his adventures.

That’s what we need today, less news and politics and more conversation about the spirit of adventure and overcoming challenges.

chromer · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 8:55 pm Post subject:

Newmoon,

So we make it through BC and into Ketchikan. Now, are we considered "international" arrivals into US and have to provide a negative Covid test?

thataway · Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:40 pm Post subject:

chromer · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 12:03 am Post subject:

I want Newmoon's opinion

NewMoon · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:40 pm Post subject:

Hi Chromer,

Look at this web site for Alaska's rules:

https://covid19.alaska.gov/travelers/

It seems we would need to arrive AK with proof of a negative test (probably fairly recent - have not looked at that yet), or pay $250 to get one on arrival, and self-quarantine until the result comes back.

My guess is that by summer proof of vaccination might help, or may be required.

AK also wants a travel declaration and self-isolation plan. I have not yet looked at what exactly the travel declaration is.

Hunkydory · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 3:24 pm Post subject:

NewMoon · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 3:50 pm Post subject:

Hi Jay,

Sent you an email.

Peter & Judy · Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2021 11:21 am Post subject:

Just an update from the north side of the border. The Canadian Government just tightened the rules for entry of international travellers via land and air crossings. I haven't researched the water entry rules, but I assume they have or will be tightened again. The basics now are that you have to provide a negative Covid test with results in the past 72 hours before you can cross the border. Make sure it is the right kind of test as some tests are rejected. The restrictions feel like they are changing by the day and will get tougher before they get easier.

Another consideration will getting fuel in native villages. Last year some of the villages closed their harbours to anyone from out of the community and some may continue this practice. I plan to try and avoid these locations as much as possible if I am able to cruise this summer. If I do need to refuel in a native port, I will make sure that I call before I launch to ensure that I can get fuel there. A number of the First Nations here in Alberta are completely closed to outside visitors and have blockades at the entrances to their land.

I hope that you are able to find a way north this summer.

P.S. New Zealand which locked down hard and early just hosted a huge music festival with 30,000 people in the stadium yesterday and currently they are averaging only 2 new cases per day.

ssobol · Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2021 6:04 pm Post subject:

Hunkydory · Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2021 11:03 am Post subject:

Associated Press just reported Alaska no longer requiring COVID test upon entry. In Alaska, Wyoming & most of the US new covid19 cases are dropping dramatically. That’s good news for a change & even better for JoLee & I, we get our 2nd vaccine shot in 2 days.

LesR · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 4:22 pm Post subject:

Bringing this thread back to the top, as Kel and I are making plans for a trip to Alaska this year. I've taken a sabbatical from work this year, so the timing is best for us assuming Canada's rules for transit via water remain relatively unchanged. Thanks for all the excellent and practical information.

Jay and Richard, we'll be starting out some time in June, so you'll be ahead of us. I would really appreciate updates as you (and others) prepare and embark. I'll continue to monitor Canada's sites for updated information.

My initial plans include checking in at Nanaimo, where we'd also top off with fuel. We can then run on plane when conditions allow with expected stops in Port McNeill, Shearwater, and Prince Rupert.

One area I found confusing was the "small vessel reporting sites" (https://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/openpoe-temp-pdeouvert/marine-maritime-eng.html). Do we need to report at a "CBSA staffed marine port of entry where private pleasure craft MUST report directly" (DRS/M) or can it be one of the "marine port of entry at which private pleasure craft operators may report by telephone" (TRS/M)? There are no DRS/M locations listed in BC.

Les Rohlf

NewMoon · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 4:37 pm Post subject:

Hi Les,

Your timing for questions is good. Just a few minutes ago I spoke with CBSA in Sidney BC, to verify my understanding of the "Transit through Canadian waters" rules. No surprises, except that I do need to fill out the info requested by the ArriveCAN app. And submit my written travel plan too, showing likely anchorages and fuel stops.

I'll check in at Sidney. Can't anchor before checking in, so Sidney works for me traveling at 7 knots.

A negative COVID test is not reqd.

Stopping for fuel/water at a place declared as a possibility in my written plan is fine, no additional call-in reqd (unless I have to make an unplanned stop).

No shore trips other than the fuel stops. No wandering around sightseeing. No tying up to other boats. No fishing.

NewMoon · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2021 5:11 pm Post subject:

Hi Les,

I just went through the ArriveCAN app. It's no sweat, except that it wants to know BC address where I will be quarantining - not just "on my boat". The CBSA agent said to enter the address of the marina where I check into BC.

The reporting sites for small vessels are listed on this web page:

https://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/openpoe-temp-pdeouvert/marine-maritime-eng.html

You can sort by province - there are lots in BC. Not sure why Sidney is shown as TRS, though there is a phone on the customs dock. CBSA has an office in the marina office building, if I recall correctly. The agent I spoke with today thought checking in at Sidney was fine, and said someone would come to the boat.

LesR · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2021 1:18 pm Post subject:

Richard,
Thanks very much for these latest details.

I loaded the ArriveCAN app and setup an account without issue. I'll need to add my details as our schedule firms up.

Thanks for confirming that the TRS stations like Sydney are acceptable for initial reporting. It may make sense for us to enter via Sydney as well.

Les