Boaters' Association of Michigan (BAM) Under Way

If you love boating and enjoy your hobby in the great waters of Michigan, you'll want to join the Boaters Association of Michigan (BAM). BAM and its website unites all boating enthusiasts whether you fish Michigan's lakes, rivers and streams, cruise on the big waters of our Great Lakes, or ski across the glassy waters of quiet inland lakes. We all share the love of water, the desire to protect it and the ability to enjoy boating in the great state of Michigan.

This website offers boating enthusiasts a comprehensive resource to all things boating. BAM is dedicated to protecting boating and preserving water quality and access by uniting the voice of Michigan's boating enthusiasts. 

For more information or to join BAM, please visit at BoatMichigan.org

Latest Pleasure Boat Reporting Requirements

To avoid hassles during the boating season, we would advise Belle Maer boaters and their friends to learn more about what they need to do, then apply for the proper credentials during the winter. That way, in the spring, you'll be ready to travel anywhere!

As we have reported, operators of small pleasure vessels, arriving in the United States from Canada and other foreign ports are required to report their arrival to Customs and Border Patrol immediately. CBP has designated specific reporting locations within the Field Offices that are staffed during boating season for pleasure boats to report their arrival and be inspected by CBP. 

Exceptions to Face-to-Face reporting to CBP

There are exceptions to the face-to-face inspection at a designated reporting location. Most notably, are the use of NEXUS, Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit (I-68). Participation in any of the programs does not preclude the requirement for physical report upon request by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Any small pleasure vessel leaving a United States port into international or foreign waters, without a call at a foreign port, does not satisfy the foreign departure requirement. Therefore, certain fishing vessels, cruises to nowhere, or any vessel that leaves from a United States port and returns without calling a foreign port or place, has not departed the United States.

Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit (I-68)
Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit (I-68) applicants for admission into the United States by small pleasure boats are inspected and issued an I-68 permit for the entire boating season. The I-68 permit allows boaters to enter the United States from Canada for recreational purposes with only the need to report to CBP by telephoning in their arrival.

NEXUS
NEXUS Marine program is a joint Canada-U.S. initiative that offers facilitated customs and immigration clearance for recreational low-risk boaters entering either country through registration into the program. NEXUS is valid for 5 years and satisfies the boat operator's legal requirement to report to a port-of-entry for face-to-face inspection in accordance (see related article, below).

User Fees/Transponder Decals

NEXUS Trusted Traveler Program:
The Easiest, Fastest Way to Travel

The NEXUS alternative inspection program has been completely harmonized and integrated into a single program. NEXUS members now have crossing privileges at air, land, and marine ports of entry. Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, the NEXUS card has been approved as an alternative to the passport for air, land, and sea travel into the United States for US and Canadian citizens.

The NEXUS program allows pre-screened travelers expedited processing by United States and Canadian officials at dedicated processing lanes at designated northern border ports of entry, at NEXUS kiosks at Canadian Preclearance airports, and at marine reporting locations. Approved applicants are issued a photo-identification, proximity Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) card. Participants use the three modes of passage where they will either present their NEXUS card or have their iris scanned and make a declaration.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are cooperating in this venture to simplify passage for pre-approved travelers.

Individuals approved to participate in NEXUS receive an identification card that allows them to:

  • Receive expedited passage at NEXUS-dedicated lanes, airport kiosks, and by calling a marine telephone reporting center to report their arrival into the United States and Canada; and
  • Cross the border with a minimum of customs and immigration questioning

NEXUS applicants only need to submit one application and one fee. Applicants may apply on-line via the CBP Global On-Line Enrollment System (GOES) Web site. Qualified applicants are required to travel to a NEXUS Enrollment Center for an interview. If they are approved for the program at that time, a photo identification card will be mailed to them in 7-10 business days. NEXUS allows United States and Canadian border agencies to concentrate their efforts on potentially higher-risk travelers and goods, which helps to ensure the security and integrity of our borders.

Applications can be submitted using the CBP on-line application system, Global On-Line Enrollment System (GOES), or to one of the Canadian Processing Centers (CPC), along with photocopies of their supporting documentation and the US $50 or CN $50 application-processing fee.

For NEXUS information or to apply on line, visit https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/ or call 1-866-NEXUS 26 (1-866-639-8726).

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