Jan and I cleared customs today and we had not even left the United States yet. What I am talking about is the Local Boater's Option also known as small vessel reporting system (svrs.com). This is a US Customs program that allows travelers to clear into the USA in advance. The first step is to use the Internet to register and record your documents. These documents include your passport numbers and the numbers on the federal yacht registration. Second step is to make an appointment for a face to face interview with a Customs officer. Then we get a long number. When we return to the USA next year, I will call the Customs office with our numbers and after answering routine questions be cleared into the United States without actually going to the Customs office. I forgot to add that we will have to provide our "decal" number to the customs office. Every vessel no matter how large or small that enters the US has to have a customs decal. It is a tax pure and simple, but only costs $25. per year.
It sounds simple but, of course, isn't. It took several hours on the computer and two trips to the Customs office. However, in the past we have usually landed at Fort Pierce, FL upon our return from the Bahamas. We have to take a taxi ride to the Ft. Pierce airport where customs formalities last all of five minutes. However, we are still out the $50. taxi fare. So hopefully all of this effort will be worthwhile.
Today we were very well treated by officer Juan Terry of the US Customs at the St. Augustine airport. Since we well still using our own car--the trusty Grand Vitara--we went into downtown St. Augustine for lunch at Columbia's. Tell the truth we have been to Columbia's five times in the three weeks we have been in Florida. It is one of the best restaurants I have even eaten at, and the prices are quite reasonable. Today's special was shrimp and scallops in a tomato pepper sauce with pasta purses stuffed with truffles and pine nuts--$13.95.
To walk off lunch Jan and I hiked over the Bridge of Lions that spans the ICW/Matanzas River. Here is a pic from the top of the bridge looking over the St. Augustine Marina about 4 pm.
It sounds simple but, of course, isn't. It took several hours on the computer and two trips to the Customs office. However, in the past we have usually landed at Fort Pierce, FL upon our return from the Bahamas. We have to take a taxi ride to the Ft. Pierce airport where customs formalities last all of five minutes. However, we are still out the $50. taxi fare. So hopefully all of this effort will be worthwhile.
Today we were very well treated by officer Juan Terry of the US Customs at the St. Augustine airport. Since we well still using our own car--the trusty Grand Vitara--we went into downtown St. Augustine for lunch at Columbia's. Tell the truth we have been to Columbia's five times in the three weeks we have been in Florida. It is one of the best restaurants I have even eaten at, and the prices are quite reasonable. Today's special was shrimp and scallops in a tomato pepper sauce with pasta purses stuffed with truffles and pine nuts--$13.95.
To walk off lunch Jan and I hiked over the Bridge of Lions that spans the ICW/Matanzas River. Here is a pic from the top of the bridge looking over the St. Augustine Marina about 4 pm.
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