sailing time is here: BVI (BVI to Saba)

[gtod25]

"Q: Can a VWP applicant for Admission Be Readmitted To the United States Follwing a Short Trip To an Adjacent Island, Canada, or Mexico?"

I have had extensive and sad experiences with Homeland Security. Three things I have learned.

1. They are annoyed when you show up on nice sailboat while they are stuck in a crowded office.

2. They get more annoyed when you argue with them.

3. They get REALLY annoyed when you show them their own regulations which proves you are right.

IF that paper has the words "discretion" anywhere in the regulation you have won a trip up the proverbial creek and there are no paddles allowed.

[Zanshin]

Tomasz -I'd check up on whether "adjacent islands" apply to the USVI. The office in St. Thomas is small enough so that if you talk to an officer _before_ leaving for the BVI to ensure that they interpret the rules the same way as the letter of the law then you will probably get the same officer on your return or at least one who recognizes that you "spoke with officer xxxxx" before leaving. The wording you posted doesn't say anything about the USVI which leads me to believe that you might be SOL.

The sail from the BVI to St. Maarten can be miserable with the wind from the wrong quarter, but at least coming back is a quick trip! I think that SunSail will allow you to travel to St. Maarten or Antigue as long as you clear it beforehand (which you will need to do so that they put the ownership papers on board). Clearign in and out is easy. But the route between the two countries is full of cruise ships going about your speed and freighters who don't necessarily pay much attention to traffic and are rumoured to travel with insufficient lighting. At least the cruise ships are lit up like Christmas trees and have active watch officers who will probably see you.

No McDonalds in the BVI - one reason to stay!

[tomaz_423]

Great information!
I certainly do not want to visit Guantanamo (in an orange suit).
My idea was to print those pages from US government site, walk into immigration in St.Thomas before I would depart to Tortola and politely ask the officer there if they could try to explain to me what it means. If he says: no way you can come back with the boat - then we just do not come. If he say yes you can come - Well then I would want to check-in with him.
But I know - that is a tricky one and perhaps US VI will be a pass this time.
Most of the ferry services (if not all) are participating in VWP.
Well, if US does not want my money I will leave it in BVI.

[camaraderie]

Sounds like a good plan...hope you can leave some Euros with us! Don't miss the Spanish Virgins if they let you! Have fun...even if you have to stay in the BVI's...it will be better than home at this time of year!! (g)

[gtod25]

About two months ago I met this lady in Miami on a sailboat, minus her husband. She was Canadian, he was English with dual citizenship (Canadian/British). They had sailed down the Eastern seaboard and then to the Bahamas. For some reason he had only his British passport with him when they returned to Miami and checked in. He was given 5 mins to say goodbye, taken straight to the airport and deported. They were going to repatriate him to the UK but he managed to convince them to send him to the Bahamas instead (at his expense). Two agents supervised him until the door closed.

I got to deliver the boat to the Bahamas.

You could not make this up.

[ReverendMike]

Whatever you do, have a great time and let us know all about it (it was 6˚F this morning!). Post pictures!

[chucklesR]

Doesn't matter what the regs say, Sunsail will specifically tell you as part of your brief that you may not sail to the USVI or any other non-BVI island and that doing so makes you liable for loss of the boat and or revenues lost if said boat is impounded for any reason whatsoever.
- my experience and memory of Sunsail briefings.

[JeffZissou]

My first sailing trip was to the BVI. I'm relatively young and grew up with power boats, but that trip converted me. We had a Jeanneau 40 and an Island Spirit 37 for eight days, there were 12 of us, we could have easily stayed two weeks. Much to see and do, great bars with friendly staff. We spent the majority of the morning/afternoon sailing then anchored for the late afternoon/evening at a different island bar every night. I truly great place. Enjoy.

[Faster]

Tomaz

Saba is a fascinating stop - soooo very different from the other islands in the region.

Shelter is tenuous at best, often the swell running around the island makes the mooring buoys uncomfortable, and landing ashore possible only at the breakwater marina some distance from the buoy field in the "lee" of the island. Landing at Wells bay was exciting, and the swell was down considerably when we were there.

Steep roads (unbelievably so) use the taxi services.... It would be a major walk to Bottoms or Windwardside. The hike from Windwardside to the top of the peak (1000 steps) is tough enough in the heat. Chances are you'll be in a cloud bank even then, though if it clears the view would be spectacular. The rain forest vegetation is well worth the hike.

The few mooring buoys are quickly taken, anchorage in Wells would be conditional. It would be good to have a decent forecast (weather AND sea condition) before you made the effort to get there.

If it works out, it's a memorable stop. PM me if you would like some pics.

[speciald]

From the BVI's to Saba tends to be an upwind trip even from as far North as Virgin Gorda. I usualy make the trip overnight and usualy go to St. Maarten rather than Saba. Saba has poor anchorages compared to St. Maarten. There are a lot of cruise ships in the passage so AIS helps. It usualy takes us less than 12 hours to make the passage under motor sailing.