Cuba Bound? - Boot Key Harbor is the only fully protected
Harbor throughout the Keys, with plenty of facilities for reprovisioning,
repairs, entertainment and waiting out weather in comfort. Listed below is lots
of information on Cuba and regulations that will be useful to you before you
go - Customs & Coast Guard Info & forms, Pictures of the Hemingway Marina and boating
procedures, Waypoints. - we even list flight schedules.
Fidel Castro's appeal to the American people - speech during
visit of President Jimmy Carter, Summer 2002:
So we say to all those good friends, to those who made
possible the return of little Elian Gonzalez, to those who have
experienced the smiles of our children, to those who feel with their own
flesh and blood the suffering of our people, which has been the victim of a
criminal and unjust blockade; we say to you, as once again the campaign of lies
and threats against Cuba increases, raise your voices to condemn this policy.
Let your government hear
your opinions. Write to your representatives in
Congress, denounce this policy in your neighbourhoods, schools and churches.
Build a wall of love and solidarity against any action that stands in the way of the
peace of our peoples and avoid the loss of Cuban and North Americans lives
Cuba may be "opening up" in the foreseeable future
to U.S. Cruisers. In the interim, it’s not illegal to go - - only to spend
money there. (Note the recent crackdown (summer 2004) by the Bush Administration
on boaters going to the keys - even activity that seems to fall within the scope
of current law) . Cruisers come and go all the time from the U.S. - though it is true
that the Bush Administration in enforcing current regulations with some degree
of passionate intimidation. If you go just don't even
think about bringing things back, like Cigars or anything else - unless you have
a specific Treasury Dept license. Bring back
nothing, and since you're not going to spend any of your US Dollars in direct
cash anyway, as is accepted in Cuba, there's no reason for you to get or keep any receipts for anything.
Recently though US Customs has been cracking down on casual travel to Cuba -
presuming that you spent money with proof or not, and levying large fines.
According to OFAC (Office of Foreign Asset Control - Dept of Treasury), more
than 150,000 US citizens visited Cuba last year (2000), and only two thirds were
licensed under provisions for cultural exchanges and limited commercial
activities. Travel to other communist states, such as China, Vietnam and North
Korea, is permitted.
For an article
from Conchord Cayo Hueso's newsletter about current (02/02) efforts to lift travel
restrictions, Click Here. (If you went to Cuba
and now have intimidating letters from the Treasury Dept - see the Response
Letters below before responding to anything) At
the bottom of this page you'll find US government documents on travel to Cuba. The Coast Guard can issue a special permit for leaving the S.
Florida area for Cuba. With only 90 miles of water between Marathon and Cuba,
Boot Key Harbor is the ideal port for Cuban & Caribbean bound cruisers.
Marathon, and Boot Key Harbor is the ONLY fully protected large Harbor in the
Keys. Go on to Key West if you're looking for a major party port, lots of
tourists and can deal with unprotected, rolly anchorages - - But if you're a
serious cruiser who wants the protected anchorage and marinas of Boot Key
Harbor, with easily accessible supplies and provisions, Marathon is the only
consideration. You'll probably want to reprovision and wait for weather in
Marathon. We recommend Nigel Calder's Cruising Guide to CUBA (available
through Bluewater Books listed below,
& other Marine stores). We've seen that Hemingway Marina in Cuba is constantly
filled up with US Registered boats. Our recommendation though is that ONLY
LICENSED TRAVELERS, or HOSTED TRAVELERS make this trip. The current US
Administration is cracking down on violators. If you have a Canadian friend though (or other non-US citizen), they can
travel with you and they'll be responsible for picking up ALL the bills and
costs while in Cuba. (Note that Bush's change in the interpretation still allows
them to seize your boat if you go with a Canadian friend - so fly instead
(legally)). This way you can legally travel to Cuba as a US citizen.
There is NO US Travel Ban on going to Cuba - only on spending money there
- and there are no such restrictions that apply to non-US citizens. (Note:
The Feb 2004 act the President signed also allows him to confiscate your
friend's boat - Canadian or not.) Read the
"What you need to know about the US Embargo" from customs listed at the bottom
of this page.
It's interesting to note the social improvements that have
been made in Cuba over the years. Everything that you hear from the U.S. is not true.
What's true is that the Cuban people are suffering financially and for physical
resources. They are still smart, resourceful, persevering and very genuinely
friendly.
Here's an excerpt of data before and after the Cuban
revolution:
Infant mortality
rate: before, over 100 per one thousand live births; today, 5.9, - well
below the United States.
Life expectancy at
birth: before, 57 years; today, 76. (about the same as the U.S.)
Number of doctors:
before, 344; today, 10, 334. (there is one doctor for roughly every 110
people - MUCH BETTER than the U.S.)
Health units:
before, 46; today, 4,006.
Hospital beds:
before, 1,470; today, over 12,000.
Schoolteachers:
before, 1,682; today, 77,479.
Universities:
before, 0; today, 12.
Illiteracy rate:
before, 40.3%; today, 0.2%. (lower than that of the U.S.!)
Grammar school
graduates: before, 10% of only 34 percent of children in school age who
attended public school graduated
; today, one hundred percent of children attend grammar
school and 99.9% graduate.
TV sets for
audiovisual education: before, 0; today, 13,394.
PCs for computer
science education from kindergarten to sixth grade: 5,563 that benefit
237,510 children.
PICTURES of Mariel Hemingway
Marina - including ARRIVAL PROCEDURES (& Visa) into Cuba and the Marina
CHART of Hemingway Marina
- 4x Zoom, with labels showing the approach dock & facilities. Includes option
to see higher magnification chart.
BOATERS RESPONSE LETTERS FROM OFAC requests for
information or pre-penalty notices (If you get in trouble with the US for
unlicensed travel to Cuba) This includes how to respond to custom's questions if
you've gone there without a special OFAC license. (These are provided courtesy
of Conchord Cayo Hueso - read this before you go. -- 2004 Note - please be
advised that the Feds arrested the director of Conchord Cayo Hueso for allowing
sailboaters to use their export license to take medical donations to Cuba, and
have indicted the boaters that went.)
CUBAN INSTITUTE FOR FRIENDSHIP WITH THE PEOPLES (ICAP) -
What they have to say to Americans about the Bush administration accusations, including messages from Fidel Castro.
My sense of it is that most of what they say is true. For more validation of
this, go to
the National Summit page and open up the
report from the Center for International Policy on "Cuba on the Terrorist List".
Charts: The Cuban charts are the best. They have
a very sophisticated hydrographic service left over from the Soviets. You can
buy them from Bluewater Books & Charts at 800-942-2583 or shop their website
at www.bluewaterweb.com . Maptech also
has U.S. digital charts for both the North and South Coasts of Cuba.
The electronic charts we use are sold by Bluewater Books. It's a DIGITAL OCEAN
CD-ROM, YC1 for the North Coast of Cuba (NAD 83 - Check you GPS!)
Waypoints: To just
off the Sea Buoy at Mariel Hemingway Marina: 23 05.358N 082
30.522W
To just off the entrance to Havana Harbor (restricted): 23
09.072N 082 21.714W
The Sea Buoy at the South Channel into Key
West: 24 27.676N 081 48.033W
Channel Entrance to Varadero (between R&G daymarks at breakwall) 23
08.008N 081 18.733W - Dorsena de Varadera, Hotel Punta Arena, Hotel
Paradiso
CLICK HERE for photos of the Varadero Peninsula
DISCLAIMER: To
all readers of this information, including U.S. Government agencies, officials
and representatives: Nothing in this website does, nor is intended to,
encourage illegal activity of any type whatsoever including illegally spending
money in Cuba or violation of any part of the U.S. Embargo against Cuba or any
other law by U.S. citizens or others. We believe all information reported here,
and all activity within this organization and website, to be within the allowed
scope of the law, and all readers are encouraged to validate this for
themselves. The purpose of information presented on this website is simply to
help people in both Cuba and the U.S.. We hereby assert our claim to all of our
U.S. Constitutional Rights including Freedom of Speech.
FORMS & APPLICATIONS FOR BOAT CAPTAINS:
The Customs and USCG forms are in Adobe .PDF format. If you
don't have this on your computer, click on the Acrobat Reader Icon above to go
to that website and download a free copy of Acrobat Reader.
NEW REQUIREMENT in 2004 by Bush Administration:
You must apply for and receive a "Sojourn" license (eith of BIS-748P or
BXA-748P) from
the Commerce Department for your boat. Visit their website at
http://www.commerce.gov/ , then call them
to verify what is required of you. This is in addition to OFAC travel licenses
and any other export license you might require for donations. The instructions
for this "Multipurpose Application Form" are posted below. Note that this is the
standard commerce department export license which you use when you take
humanitarian donations to Cuba. If you work through a commercial or humanitarian
group they generally have both the OFAC and EXPORT licenses which you use.
However, the boat must be specifically listed. See below. This is really not a
new form nor requirement, but previously customs has accepted your general
export license to cover the boat to transport things. Now they want it
specifically listed.
Commerce
Dept Form BIS-748P "Multipurpose Application Form" Instructions Only:
EXPORT LICENSE - This (or alternatively the BXA-748P form - same form) are
used to cover your boat when you engage in licensed travel to Cuba. When
you click on this it will take you to a page with more explanation. The form
itself is not posted here, only the instructions, because you must request it
directly from the commerce department - it comes as a triplicate form - and it
must be typed and mailed back in. This is current as of June 2004 and it is not
available online from the commerce department. Call them at
202-482-4811 to request the
form.
US Customs
Annual User Fee Decal Request: Click on it to open the .PDF file. Whether it's the Bahamas or Cuba,
you need a Customs decal to re-enter the U.S. if you're over about 30 ft. Cost is $25 as of
Jan 2002, and the application is current as of 2000. Inquiries can be
directed to Customs for Decals at 317-298-1200 ext 1245 M-F 8-5 EST, or email to
Decals@customs.treas.gov .
Directions are included on this 2 page form. Clicking on the title above will
give you the Adobe . PDF file to read or print. See the notes above with US
Customs regulations about the Adobe software. Click on the Adobe Icon if you
don't have it.
US
Coast Guard Permit Application to depart the Security Zone -
.
You need this if you plan on departing to Cuba from the Florida Keys. This
is a link to their page with the form. It now (2004) asks for information on
OFAC and Export licenses in the application.
A Checklist for Captains
going to Cuba on valid licensed travel: Just click to open
- normal web page. This list just
outlines the steps and tips in sequence to get your paperwork in order.
Passenger Import Guidelines
- We use this to explain the limits and procedures for bringing back items
from Cuba for licensed travelers. - normal web page.
US COAST GUARD REQUIREMENTS: The Coast Guard has
no direct interest per se whether you come and go to Cuba or not - mostly
Customs. Be advised though that commercially documented boats must stay outside
of the US for 6 months after being in Cuba when not traveling on a specific license. The same does not apply to
Recreational boats. However, there is a special defense zone in effect for south Florida
(all of the Keys and we think maybe as far North as Ft Lauderdale - check with
them) which requires a special permit to come/go to Cuba. You must fax the
application to the Coast Guard office and possibly send picture ID of all your crew with
it. You'll have to await approval - anywhere from a few days if
you're reasonable with them and the system works, to a few weeks if you
demonstrate a bad attitude or the system doesn't work. We are also assuming that
your travel to Cuba is legitimate - i.e.; all the required USCG safety
equipment, no smuggling of ANY type - not even one illegal cigar - nor any illegal
aliens, etc.. If you violate this you can count on being nailed and probably
losing your boat. Just like eco-camping - leave only footprints and take only
pictures!!!! If you are traveling on an approved License you may bring back up
to $100 per person in most anything, including Cohiba Cigars.
It's
customs that has the authority to seize things, but the coast guard is
frequently their enforcer. Though the information that the Coast Guard receives
on your application is supposed to be used just within the Coast Guard for
security purposes only, it is apparent that they are sharing this information
with the Treasury department. We've heard many boaters say that after they've
filled out this application they get an intimidating phone call from the
Treasury dept intended to discourage their trip.
RE-ENTRY INTO THE UNITED STATES -
US Customs, Immigration, others:
Please do your own checking with customs and immigration to verify the
procedures, but here's how it has worked for us. We're assuming that you're an
upright US citizen whose only intention is to sightsee and meet the nice people
in Cuba (aside from licensed humanitarian & other travel). We assume you have
neither criminal nor commercial intent with your trip. When returning to the
keys, we're told by customs that you can bring your boat back anywhere, but must
immediately call Customs to get clearance back into the U.S.. You do not have to
check in with the Coast Guard, though it's possible you can be boarded on the
way back to ensure that you're not smuggling illegal Cubans. The Key West
customs office phone is 305-296-5411. You must also call
800-432-1216 first, but they'll then tell you to check with Key West if
you arrive between Marathon and Key West. You'll give them your customs decal number (see above)
but they no longer give you a clearance number. Just write down the officers
name or badge # in your ship's log along with the
time, and phone # you called just as initial proof that you're diligently
obeying the law. The 800# office
will then have you call Key West anyway. The Key West office tells us
that you and your entire crew must then physically show up in Key West (next
morning is OK) to be "interviewed". Customs can be intimidating with
this, and this seems to be the directive from the higher ups. Sometimes you get
through the paperwork and interview easily. One person though
said that Key West had them go down, and really gave them the 3rd degree
interrogation for more than 2 hours! - Separately with each crew member! Another
said they went through this interrogation and all appeared OK, but customs said
someone would be contacting them within 8 months about their trip. Our
experience has been the US Policy through the Customs offices is to make things
difficult for US boaters to travel to Cuba - many times using intimidation as
much or moreso than the law. However, traveling (spending money) legitimately on
a Treasury Dept license (or other legal methods) seems to make things much easier as long as they know
you're being honest with them about your travel and things you bring back.
The easiest thing for nonlicensed travelers to do is to go with a Canadian
friend. Arrange in advance for the Canadian (or other nationality) to pay for
everything, and when you get back they should verify this with customs with
receipts and details. Customs will ask you if you spent any money or brought anything back. You can
only spend money if you have the Treasury license, or if someone of another
nationality (like Canadian) goes with you to pay all the bills. Since
you're not allowed to do these things without the license, you certainly did not and will advise them
of this. Customs has taken a different approach to proof of
wrongdoing. They now PRESUME that you MUST have spent money on the entry visa and
marina while you were there, so that you are automatically guilty if you can't
prove differently (like the letter from your Canadian friend that went with you
and paid for everything). You can actually buy such a letter from Club Nautico at Hemingway Marina, but even US Customs knows this is really a sham and
will not accept such a letter from them. Legitimate hosting is allowed by law,
but expect many more hassles on re-entry than if you had gone on a license. Talk to boaters who've been there for the best and most
current advice.
If you're there on an approved license then you may spend money for ordinary
travel expenses, and bring back up to $100 per person in Cuban Merchandise
including cigars.
Check first on your license. Without a license you can't spend any money at all
and had better not bring ANYTHING back - including one cigar.
Actually you are allowed to bring back art (narrowly defined as
original paintings), music or books and literature without limit, license or not.
The brochure from customs - "What you need to know about the US Embargo" -
lists the types of people (government travelers, journalists, professionals,
etc.) who may travel to and spend money in Cuba WITHOUT any special Treasury
department license. These people are covered under the general provisions of the
embargo act and do not need to make any applications to the US government.
With a license (some licenses vary in what they allow) you also can bring back
up to $100 in merchandise, PLUS the paintings and literature without limit.
Recently (Jan 2002) Customs has assigned arbitrary values to alcohol and cigars
and use this as the basis for the $100 regardless of what you actually pay for
them. Cigars are now valued at $4 each regardless of type or size, and fifths of
alcohol (rum, vodka, etc) are around $5 per bottle. You can bring back art, but
this has been very narrowly defined by US Customs under the current Bush
administration as ORIGINAL paintings - no handicrafts, pottery or sculpture.
(see the Passenger Import Guidelines listed abovc)
INSURANCE: Most US Insurance Companies will not
provide coverage for Cuban waters. We're told that Lloyd's of London might have
available coverage. Most boater's go there bare of insurance. This is a personal
risk decision you must decide for yourself. Most of
the US Boats going to Cuba go bare. Some companies that do sell insurance:
DH Williams Marine Insurance, Tel: 954-767-9500, Fax:
954-767-9700, 1500 Cordova Rd, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33316
John G. Alden Special Risks, Fax: 954-523-0588. 1300 SE 17th St., Ste 220, Ft
Lauderdale, FL 33316 (rider to your existing insurance)
Offshore Risk Management: Tel:
Marathon FL. 305-743-7711, 800-773-0105 or
800-940-0600, PO Box 522796, Marathon, FL 33052-2796.
www.offshorerisk.com
LICENSED TRAVEL AGENTS:
For Non-US Citizens, and for US Citizens that are going on
their own to Cuba anyway, you can visit Cuba's tourism website through their
National Travel Agency - Cubanacan
www.cubanacan.cu
Travelers to Cuba who have a valid Treasury Dept License for
such travel, may contact a licensed travel agent to make flight, hotel
and ground transportation arrangements. Please let them know you were referred
by Gregory Absten of Professional Medical Education Assn. in the Florida Keys
(we make no commissions of any type on the referrals).
Island Travel & Tours Ltd.
2111 Wisconsin Ave NW, Ste 319, Washington DC 20007,
USA
Tel: 866-488-8687 Fax: 202-342-3308, E-mail:
INFO@ISLANDTRAVELTOURS.COM
www.IslandTravelTours.com
Common Ground Education & Travel Services
55 Norfolk St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Tel: 617-661-7653, 877-661-7653 Fax:
617-491-1543, E-mail:
commonground@mdeiaone.net , no web site
Cuba Linda -
www.cubalinda.com -
German travel agency that can book flights for you and offers advice to US
travelers to Cuba on this website
Havana Office: Calle E No. 158, 4th floor, in Vedado.
Tel: 53-7 55 39 80, Fax: 53-7 55 36 86. Open M-F 8am-5pm. Marisela
Collejo, Reservations Manager (English & Spanish).
Info@CubaLinda.com
Also check out other groups that have licensed
cultural and artistic travel programs to Cuba on our
CUBA LINKS page.
FLYING TO CUBA: FLIGHT
INFORMATION & PRICES
Click to go to that page. You'll find flight schedules and prices to go to
Cuba from the Bahamas, Grand Cayman Island, Mexico and Jamaica. This is not a
travel site so the list is not exhaustive, but it will get you started.
HUMANITARIAN SERVICE:
Licensed Humanitarian Efforts
HUMANITARIAN MEDICAL SUPPLY MISSIONS:
World Reach. Raleigh NC. Contact Rusty Price.
888-596-5078. This is a substantial and worthwhile group. They have helped the
Cuban Health Network get container loads of medical supplies to Cuba by
Freighter through Quebec Canada. Donations are well used by this group for Cuba
and other destinations.
VIDA. San Francisco CA. VIDA is a philanthropic organization which
raises funds and supplies for use by under-developed countries. They have made
VERY substantial contributions to Cuba through the Cuban Health Network and
World Reach.
Conchord Cayo Hueso. Key West.
http://www.geocities.com/conchordcayohueso/ Contact John Young. 305-294-0205. E-mail:
jitters@aol.com . This group has been
taking medical & humanitarian supplies to Cuba for a long time. Boaters may join
this organization for about $50 per year, which includes subscription to the
newsletter. Boaters wishing to carry medical supplies to Cuba may use the
organizations export license. Be advised however that the Treasury Dept OFAC
license (which authorizes the travel by US Citizens) is not included. The Cuban
Health Network has operated through this groups export license before acquiring
their own. Talk to John about the implications of not having the OFAC license
and how to go anyway.
We've
posted an article from their newsletter on the latest efforts (2002) to throw
out the US government's 40 year intent to prevent US citizens traveling to Cuba
- CLICK HERE.
Rick Schwag. E-mail:
cuba@together.net Rick has a supply network here in the U.S. used to gather
medical equipment and supplies for Cuba
Also check out other groups that provide humanitarian efforts
in Cuba on our CUBA LINKS page.
US GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS ON CUBA:
US Customs Regulations: Here's a copy of WHAT
YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE US
EMBARGO written by the US Treasury department, Office of Foreign
Assets Control. It's an overview of the Cuban regulations of Title 31 Part 515
of the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR's). This is a five page explanatory
document and is not the actual CFR. It has all the legalese to discourage you
from going to Cuba. It also outlines the legal licenses you can get to spend
money there (religious, humanitarian, educational, journalism, etc.) You can
click on the title above to read or print this document in Adobe .PDF files. You
must have Adobe Acrobat on your computer to do this. If you don't, click on the
Icon above to download a free copy, then return to this site to get this
document. It's also available from most Custom's offices or The Office of
Foreign Asset Control at their website at www.treas.gov/ofac
.
Copies of Executive Orders,
United Nations Security Council Resolutions, Statutes, and Regulations related
to OFAC's programs, including Cuba, in *.PDF format http://www.treas.gov/ofac/legal/index.html
General OFAC Information,
including Fax-on-Demand, Address, Phone Numbers, Forms (including license
request for release of blocked property), and Recent Articles http://www.treas.gov/ofac/info.html
Offices of Foreign Assets Control
http://fedbbs.access.gpo.gov/treasury.htm
U.S. Department of State
also has information on U.S.-Cuba Relations at the following location:
http://www.state.gov/www/regions/wha/cuba/index.html
SEND THE PRESIDENT AN EMAIL TO TELL HIM TO
SUPPORT DROPPING THE EMBARGO -
PRESIDENT@WHITEHOUSE.GOV
DISCLAIMER: To all readers of
this information, including U.S. Government agencies, officials and
representatives: Nothing in this website does, nor is intended to,
encourage illegal activity of any type whatsoever including illegally spending
money in Cuba or violation of any part of the U.S. Embargo against Cuba or any
other law by U.S. citizens or others. We believe all information reported here,
and all activity within this organization and website, to be within the allowed
scope of the law, and all readers are encouraged to validate this for
themselves. The purpose of information presented on this website is simply to
help people in both Cuba and the U.S.. We hereby assert our claim to all of our
U.S. Constitutional Rights including Freedom of Speech.
