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Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS) |
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Friday, 01 July 2011 09:22 |
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The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that a new free reporting option is available for small boaters—the Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS). SVRS joins the existing NEXUS and I-68 options available to boaters in the Great Lakes.
SVRS enables boaters to report quickly and easily to CBP their entry to the U.S. from foreign waters. It is a free, easy-to-use, voluntary program that you can enroll for online.
SVRS is available to all U.S. citizens, nationals and lawful permanent residents; Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada who are nationals of a Visa Waiver Program country. Current Local Boater Option participants, Trusted Traveler Program members (NEXUS, Global Entry, SENTRI) and current holders of an I-68 (Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit) must apply for enrollment in SVRS on-line in order to participate, but they do not need to schedule an interview with a CBP officer to complete their application.
The enrollment system is Web-based. New applicants register online and self-schedule an interview with a CBP officer at an authorized reporting location of their choice. Participants receive a welcoming email with their Boater Registration (BR) number and password for SVRS.
As of May 2011, SVRS is currently deployed in the following locations:
- Florida
- Puerto Rico
- United States Virgin Islands
- United States/Canada border.
SVRS will be deployed next in the following locations
- West Coast: Oregon to California
- East Coast: New York City to Georgia
- Gulf of Mexico: Alabama to Texas.
It should be noted that unlike NEXUS, this is a CBP program for entry into the U.S. and not a joint program between the U.S. and Canada. |
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Global Maritime Distress & Safety System for Recreational Boaters (including DSC) |
 An overview on GMDSS (and DSC) provided by the United Safe Boating Institute.
Maritime Moble Service Identity (MMSI)
Recreational boaters must obtain their DSC MMSI numbers directly from the FCC (for $155) if they plan on traveling to a foreign country. Otherwise, USPS provides MMSI numbers at no cost to recreational boaters.
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Members of United States Power Squadrons are now conducting Vessel Safety Checks (formerly Courtesy Marine Examinations) for recreational boaters.
Lansing's First Vessel Safety Check for 2006
Schedule a VSC
Failure Reasons | Virtual VSC | Q & A |
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 On April 30, 2007, the Canadian government announced that the Nexus card program had been expanded to cover all Canadian waterways, which means that recreational boaters, both U.S. and Canadian, holding Nexus cards will be able to check into Canada by phone from their boats throughout the Great Lakes. NEXUS members can call 30 minutes to four hours ahead of time to a telephone reporting center in the marine mode. (US Reporting Requirements for Private Boat Operators in the Great Lakes Region.)
The three NEXUS programs (Air, Highway and Marine) were combined in 2006 into one program, now simply called NEXUS. You can use your NEXUS membership whether you travel by air, land or sea. NEXUS is a joint initiative of the Canada Border Services Agency and the U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection.
NEXUS Marine members must have their irises photographed for identification to use the air mode.
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 The Canadian government's CANPASS - Private Boats Program costs $40 for five years. CANPASS - Private Boat program members may call up to four hours in advance to report their estimated arrival time in Canada and then arrive at a telephone reporting marina site.
The CANPASS - Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permit is still available. The RABC permit allows the bearer to cross the border into Canada at certain remote areas (from Pigeon River through to and including Lake of the Woods, the Canadian shore of Lake Superior, Cockburn Island, the upper lock system at Sault Ste. Marine, and Emerson West Lynne) without reporting to a port of entry, as long as imported goods are declared.
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Free On-Line NOAA Chart Viewer |
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 NOAA's On-Line Chart Viewer is available as a public service. The Viewer lets mariners display any nautical chart in the national suite using only an Internet browser. Each chart is updated weekly for Notice to Mariner corrections by NOAA. The Viewer's fast, image displaying software permits rapid chart display, panning and zooming. The On-Line Viewer can be used for voyage planning and research. Professional mariners can examine their intended routes for recent changes. With appropriate graphics software, screen captures can be saved for inclusion in reports.
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Handbook of Michigan Boating Laws & Responsiblities |
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 The Handbook of Michigan Boating Laws and Responsibilities defines the basics of boating, laws and regulations, navigation rules, weather emergencies, encountering other vessels and much more. Safe navigation on Michigan waterways is the responsibility of everyone.
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