Transiting BC, WA-AK

[kennharriet]

Dreaming of boating while sitting by the wood stove, watching the blizzard outside. We recently watched the Seattle Boat Show zoom presentation by “Cruising Sea Venture”. It was about winter cruising in SE AK. What intrigued me was they apparently pleasure boated through BC without landing and this was permissible with Canadian Customs. No problem for them as they have 2,000 gal of fuel.

Like others, I have been keeping current with Transport Canada’s continuing limitations on border crossing due to the pandemic. It appears Canada will not reopen the border this year for foreign recreational boaters. The distance from the closest WA port to Ketchikan is well beyond the fuel range of the typical Cdory. However, carrying extra fuel that trip could be possible if there was a refuel option midway. If it is true that BC can be transited without landing, I’m surprised an enterprising individual has not figured out how to offer floating fuel in Canada.

Assuming it is legitimate to transit without landing, I’m curious what the logistical considerations might be, from those who have done it in non pandemic times. Also I’m curious if anyone has researched the AK Ferry costs from Bellingham to Ketchikan? I have access to a truck in Ketchikan to offload the boat on a trailer and launch from there.

I know, I know, maybe I should be patient and just dream about another summer doing pack trips with the mules in the back country. Ken

[hardee]

Ken, You are not the only one continuing to look North. Yes, there are provisions for transiting as long as you do not stop. Your thoughts of a fuel barge, would work UNLESS it was Canadian, then you be stopping and contacting a Canadian vessel. The Alaska ferry or some of the freight barge companies could take your boat yes, but it will cost you.

I guess this year I am going to have to look at some other options too, as it is clear that boating north of the 48 is not going to happen, , , , ,
unless, maybe they will let us come up after we have had our shots for at least 2 months.

Enjoy those mules

Harvey
SleepyC

[NewMoon]

Here's the skinny at this time, direct from the Canada website as of 2021/02/05:

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/border#waters

Transit through Canadian waters

You currently cannot enter Canadian waters for optional reasons, such as:
• touring
• sightseeing
• pleasure fishing

You may still navigate through international or Canadian waters while in transit directly from one place outside Canada to another place outside Canada, if the transit is:
• direct
• continuous/uninterrupted
• by the most reasonable route

Mandatory masks and physical distancing during transit
Transiting travellers may only make essential stops along the way, including to use facilities, refuel or for essential supplies.

You must follow physical distancing practices and wear a non-medical mask or face covering during these stops.

Anchoring and quarantine requirements
You may stop and anchor out of ordinary navigation, particularly if it becomes dangerous to navigate at night or if the crew must rest before safely continuing your trip.

If you anchor to spend the night, you must quarantine on your vessel or boat. If this is not possible, you may quarantine at a hotel until you are ready to resume your trip.

Mandatory quarantine:
https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/isolation#quarantine

Reporting requirement if you land on Canadian soil
If at any point a transiting vessel lands on Canadian soil, anchors, moors or comes alongside another vessel in Canadian waters, or if anyone onboard disembarks in Canada, the operator must report to the CBSA.

You may not land for an optional reason.

The CBSA and its law enforcement partners are actively monitoring Canadian waterways. If you fail to report to the CBSA, even if your purpose is non-discretionary (non-optional) such as to refuel, you may face severe penalties. Failure to report may also affect your immigration admissibility and ability to re-enter Canada in the future.




So you can do it without staying offshore all the way up, or going completely nonstop - as long as the rules remain the same this coming summer. This has been the rule since July or so, but as with many others, I was not aware it was this easy.

Net of it is: go pretty much direct, stop in BC only for fuel, necessities, or anchoring overnight. No fishing, no shore excursions, no rafting up or socializing with others, continue masking and distancing.

The one question I still have: if I stop for fuel water and groceries in Port McNeill, say, can I stay tied up overnight, or must I untie and go anchor?

[kaelc]

I would contact CBSA in Port McNeil and make the request prior to landing, to spend the night at the dock. You wouldn't want to get snitched on. It is a huge push north and should be done well-rested, so it's reasonable to request in my mind but I don't work for CBSA. The issue is if you are coming during the middle of summer you have trouble getting fuel or hitting the dock without contacting people. I would look for clarification in June, now is not the time, we are on a state of emergency right now. The difference in behavior between my US friends and mine is crazy, god love em. Hopefully, once seniors and the immune-compromised get shots then those who have shots from the US may be able to visit with less restriction but I wouldn't count on a full opening this summer.

https://www.northislandgazette.com/news/port-mcneill-rcmp-issue-tips-on-how-to-report-out-of-country-travellers/

[thataway]

I would question if you could make it from Friday Harbor to Port McNeil without refueling--unless getting all of the currents with you and gong at low displacement speed.

The times I took the C Dory 25 up that way, we refueled several times by the time we were at Port McNeil. --granted it was not a straight shot. One of the beauties of the C Dory is that you can "dance" over many of the passes when not at slack tide. If at displacement speeds it would be like our experience with the Cal 46 sailboat--we could not plan more than one pass a day, when going at 6 to 7 knots. (Range almost 3000 miles however).

[Peter & Judy]

The Canadian Border is probably tighter now than it was last summer. Even Canadians are now being punished for travelling outside of the country over the winter, with mandatory testing and quarantines and in many cases now mandatory hotel stays at $2,000 for three days. Inter province travel is now also being discouraged and in some cases banned. Some of the new Covid-19 variants are now getting a foothold in the country. Our vaccine roll out is somewhat slower than the US, because our vaccines are not made in Canada, but Europe and the US. Nationalism is taking hold and it seems that both the US and the EU are holding back vaccines, despite contracts with Canada and other countries. Personally I don't see the Canadian border opening this year for recreational travel.

Last summer some Americans were gaming the system by claiming the the 'Alaska Exemption' saying they were returning home to Alaska. They had been instructed to take the fastest route, only stop for gas and fast food, not stay in hotels or play tourist. A number of Americans chose to ignore these rules once they got into the country and despite $1,200 fines went sight seeing in places like Banff. One fellow was caught and fined twice in three days and then deported. Since then the rules have been tightened up a lot. So I think it would be difficult to cross into Canada by land or sea while these rules are in place.

A lot of Canadian Snow Birds did go south this winter, many had a trucking company haul their RV across the border and then flew to the nearest airport. This might be the only option, but could be expensive. Either put your boat on one of the Alaska barges or a flat bed trailer and have it hauled to Alaska and then fly yourselves there and back.

I am weighing my options for this year, we did not cruise in BC last year and only did a short visit to see Judy's mother on Vancouver Island in September. We often go to the coast in April to get away from our long winters here in Alberta, but this year we are not planning to go as it is not the right thing to do, restrictions or not. We are hoping to get out there in the summer. I had originally planned to cruise around Prince Rupert and Kitimat this year and that is still an option. But, we might just go back to Vancouver Island to combine a cruise or two with the family visit. I am considering cruising in the Broughton Archipelago and Nootka Sound. I am working on cruise plans for these areas, but it is impossible to make definite plans. One consideration in planning is that many of the first nations and their fuel docks are off limits to non residents.

Just like last year, we might just have to wing it and take things a week or two at a time. It might take more than just vaccinations to get over this thing and hopefully we will get into a new normal in 2022. I have spoken with a few people that were in Desolation Sound last summer and they said it was glorious because of the lack of boats, most of which would have been American in previous years. While kayaking on the coast last September, we were asked by one of the Rangers at a marine park to keep a watch out for American Boats. The Coast Guard was searching for a few that had simply come across the border without checking in with customs and they had already seized a few boats, that were to be put up for public auction in the future. So this is not an option unless you are willing to loose your boat. But, then we could use a few more C-Dory's in Canada.

[Hunkydory]

With 100 gal of fuel, which we have carried on several other extended cruises, we could easily make Port McNeil for fuel on plane & though a bit tight, then Ketchikan, Alaska at a combination of displacement speed & on plane. We wouldn’t have any need for other resupplies or stops other than night anchorages with no shore visits, so with only one stop for fuel, we could make it to Alaska without any other contact with Canadians. We’ve wanted to do the entire Inland Passage, but have little interest in the resorts & social gathering that many like do do on the BC stretch of it. Seeing & experiencing the scenery & wildlife is why we would like to do this & with the land route most likely closed again this year, a quick trip up though BC, a option we are considering, especially If as Richard shared & now I’ve begun to research, does continue to be a legal way of boating to & in SE Alaska.

[hardee]

Just a fueling comment:

On one trip I did from Sequim, across Juan de Fuca and up to the north end of Vancouver Island my fuel stops were:
Roche Harbor on San Juan Island -- last stop in US
Nanaimo, BC (fuel and over night -dark- stop)
Browns Landing just N of Campbell River, BC
Port McNeill, across from Alert Bay BC

I was running around 4500 RPM and about 20-22knots, trying to take advantage of a weather window. I did one overnight stop in Nanaimo, and ran sunup to sundown each day. (FYI, that was my longest fast(est) cruise ever!).

Running daylight only I would figure on 5 - 6 days. That would be long hard days and require agreeable weather. I did meet a fellow on an Ocean Sport 33 that made it from Ketchikan to Conover Cove on Wallace Island, (near Chemainus), in 3 days, but they had 3 guys and ran 24/7.

Harvey
SleepyC

[hardee]

Jay, If you do your timing right you can get a tidal current boost the full length. From the southern tip you ride the Flood to Campbell River and the Ebb north from there. And that will get you through Seymour Narrows on a slack tide. Seymour is pretty much a gate keeper there. Yes, you can go through on the edges, but beyond that, I leave it to the water taxi guys who do it all day any day light or dark. But they do it for work and don't like their boats nearly as much as I like SleepyC

Harvey
SleepyC

[Hunkydory]

On one of our SE Alaska cruises between fuel stops we did 405 miles starting with 100 gal & still had 27 gal left, when refueled. We have also made over 200 miles in a day several times. Weather would determine more then anything else the number of days & nights needed to anchor & total days for the trip. If in order to anchor or fuel all that’s needed is a call to CBSA, while in transit makes the idea quite plausible.

[Hunkydory]

Harvey, I would plan as you suggested on the tides, as I’ve done many times on different SE Alaska routes, but wouldn’t hesitate to run the Seymour Rapids if not there at slack. I’ve watched boats go through them on the ebb & flood & know I’ve been through worse.

[NewMoon]

[Hunkydory]

[NewMoon]

Jay, I think that last paragraph on reporting requirements is just restating the general rule on border crossing that has always been the case. Worth asking again, however.

[hardee]