Anybody read this on Bitterend?

[sunnydude2]

http://captrichardrodriguez.blogspot.com/2009/04/boater-fined-5k-by-homeland-security.html

Sad...that the person wasn't fully informed of the procedures...sad that the CBP officers acted the way they did.

[3788sam]

Yea I read it and his response this morning. It sounds like he got hit and treated pretty harsh.

Some of it was his doing not answering the questions consistently and even the most nugget boater should know to check in as soon as you get in not 3 hours later. That right there will get the red flag for sure.

[wickus]

Nelson has a favorite custom agent on SJI, too. I don't think this is the same guy, though.

[Play N Hookie II]

That is too bad! Hard to believe though that the guy thought it was Ok to go to dinnner and get a hotel room and put the kids to bed before checking in with customs. Kristen and I used to like to go to Vancouver once a year for fun and do some Christmas shopping but one bad experience at the border crossing coming back made us not want to go anymore. Of course we had not done anything wrong but they were just rude and nasty and tore through all of our luggage and underwear and made a big mess leaving it all on the hood of the car. Then just left us a big mess and told us we were free to go. I know they have a very tough job but I felt much like this guy did and got the same rude intimidating experience and we haven't been back since. They are so nice on the way in but you are treated like a criminal to get back in. Of course we had been up there at least 6 or 8 times in as many years and that was the only bad experience.

[Play N Hookie II]

Some of it was his doing not answering the questions consistently and even the most nugget boater should know to check in as soon as you get in not 3 hours later. That right there will get the red flag for sure.

A cavity search would have fixed that problem forever:mad:

[Randygh]

The dentist did as he was instructed on the phone 2 weeks prior to the trip. Seems to me he was concerned about doing everything properly. We always check in immediately at the Customs dock and have never had a problem in Friday Harbor with the Customs folks. I believe the issue isn't so much about breaking the law, which did occur, as the way the fellow was treated. There are two sides to every story and I'd like to hear the officers account of the matter.

The treatment of the dentist, as described in his letter, by CBP agents is reprehensible. There is absolutely no excuse to be rude, condenscending and belittling. When I worked as an enforcement officer for the WDFW, we were instructed to be courteous and not be heavy handed unless absolutely necessary. I if were the CBP officer's supervisor, I'd investigate the incident and if the dentist's statement is accurate regarding the lack of professional demeanor, there would be some arse-chewing, but the fine would still be levied. When I wrote paper to offenders, I explained that if they didn't think I was fair, then they should go to court and explain to the judge why I wasn't fair. It will be interesting to if the dentist has the fine reduced and if there is any reply for the CBP.

[Play N Hookie II]

The dentist did as he was instructed on the phone 2 weeks prior to the trip. .

I am not so sure he did. He was not told to check in when you get around to it but rather to check in when he got there. I imagine that they likely told him over the phone to check in immediately when they got there but that may have been omitted. I do believe that he thought he was doing exactly as he was told but I know they do instruct people to check in right away. That is the whole point. Otherwise you could just unload all the drugs and weapons and then check in. Any knucklehead could have logically came to that conclusion. I would think it interesting to hear the officers side and I also understand that he is upset about the way he was treated and agree that it shouldn't have happened. I imagine that he was tired and grumpy at 11pm at night waiting for the officer that he thought was just going to let him pass with a phone call (probably from the hotel room) and perhaps he owns some blame with his own demeanor?

[Nehalennia]

Yeah, I don't really see a problem with it. Some people treat the Customs by boat protocol much differently than the Car crossing. They think since it's pretty wide open and you can certainly just skip it if you really wanted to that it's not a serious deal. Ok, yes he called for info and may not have heard the "report immediately" or "Everyone on board has to stay aboard until cleared". Because they know they are not breaking any laws they feel they can treat the timing or sense of urgency and accuracy so casually.

Our border restrictions and requirements are getting more and more stringent and knowing what I've seen at Customs, I don't blame them.

Learn and know the rules and play by them, no different that fishing. That why I need a lawyer friend aboard to go fishing because of all of the regulations.

[Chass]

Its sad that there are people in law enforcement for the wrong reasons. Power trippers and the like. I'm sure those officers were not nice to him and probably shouldn't have fined his dumb ***. It was their choice to do and they did it.

BUT, The dentists story doesn't sound right when I read it. I know customs is a very serious thing and I wouldn't have dreamed of waiting until after dinner! My guess is that he didn't fully understand what he heard on the phone and made some assumptions. Poor assumptions. I think the dentist just learned a very expensive lesson . . .

We got hassled for coming back from Sydney when we checked in at Roche last year for not signing our passports! He said we weren't legal with a stern look and asked us all to line up on the dock like we were going to be shot. He paced back and forth and then jokingly explained the problem and handed us each a pen. Rules are rules! Follow them and you won't have any problems. Don't and you might!

Chass
ct

[tolly28]

The problem here is it invloves a couple of jerks and an idiot... I'm keeping in mind that we are seeing one side of the story from someone that is not the sharpest tool in the shed.

The customs agents sound like they crossed the line and were on a bit of a power trip. However, as part of their job they need to throw a little attitude around every now and then... The dentist did break the law and didn't exercise much common sense...

[Randygh]

I agree with everyone about knowing the rules and following them to the letter. As I stated, there are two sides to every story and I'd like to hear the officers side too. The dentist messed up, but that happens. The CBP officers should still have acted professionally and treated him with respect. If the dentist had copped and attitude and "flunked the attitude test" he probably would have spent the night in jail and had his boat impounded.

[SPUD]

Just don't mention my name......he took my roastbeef sandwich right off the table that Kathy just made me and "confiscated" 7 pounds of sliced beef that I smoked up at home !

and that is only the TIP OF THE ICEBERG !

SPUD

[Randygh]

OMG, the CBP officer took away a sandwich you were about to eat?? Now that is ridiculous. Once ingested did the officer think the meat was a threat for introducing foot and mouth disease, dengue fever, chronic wasting disease, or some other exotic disease? Of course, we all know Spud is outlaw #1 and has long history of outsmarting and murdering salmon and halibut!!!

[Stray Cat]

Most of the customs agents I have dealt with seem to hate their life, job, and somebody must have repeatly kicked their dog.
Do they really think that people trying to check in and play by the rules are major threats to us? :roll:
Yes this guy didn't follow the letter of the law, but he at least tried to abide by the spirt of the law.

If I'm going to be trying to do harm, the border crossing is going to be the least of my worrys.

None of the actions here make me feel any safer.

[Go Aweigh2452]

When we were allowed, I use to check in by cell phone. Told them where I was and where I was headed (Always Port Townsend). Not once did they come down from Port Angeles to search nor did they ask me to turn around and head back to SJ's to do customs there. Besides, I won't do it anyway. I did forget once and called from home (VHF). Got cleared... Can't do that anymore... that was pre 9/11

[bradvo]

Ya never know what you will get at customs. Most my experiences have been positive. Ya have agents that work the Gray area per se, then ya have the strictly by the book agents.
It is a judgement call at times with these folks. Last year it was an automatic boarding at RH customs to raid your fridge.

Oh how I miss the call from cell phone days with a pin number.

[RafaelFigueira]

Do they really think that people trying to check in and play by the rules are major threats to us? :roll:
Yes this guy didn't follow the letter of the law, but he at least tried to abide by the spirt of the law.

Exactly how I think. Even if we take the "two-sides-of-the-story" approach, if we assume the dentist is exxagerating on his story, and ignore the harassment that may not have ocurred, in the end he was still punished (fined) simply for not checking in, without any criminal intent. Hardly what I would expect from an agency resposible for controlling flow of goods through the border.

A raid of the fridge looking for roastbeef sandwiches makes much more sense compared to what happened here.

[sunnydude2]

Does anybody on the board have the Nexus pass? Last year when we checked in at FH the officers actually said we should get it as we only take ourselves and kids with us across the boarder.

[SPUD]

We only went over to Sydney to pick up our Canadian Licenses. I was in the wrong however, as the meat I had bought in Woodinville) did not have the USDA sticker on it, as I had already smoked it and repackaged it.

I could have contaminated the entire marina, island, and perhaps the entire PNW !

The story is never ending so I will save it for our Friday Harbor Outing !

Spud

[Nehalennia]

Does anybody on the board have the Nexus pass? Last year when we checked in at FH the officers actually said we should get it as we only take ourselves and kids with us across the boarder.

No, but we're going to get the kids a State "enhanced ID" card for crossing.
I'm going to ruin their birth certificates for as many times as I've folded them up + in June they're saying we all need Passports or Equivalent

[SomeSailor]

Why not just get them passports?

[pasty63]

I think the whole issue stems from the late check in. The customs folks have very little wiggle room if you don't talk/meet with them before coming ashore. I had a friend get the 5K fine almost 15 years ago for leaving the vessel prior to check in, so it's nothing new. It's simply a rule they don't want you to break. There's all kinds of things CBP should or shouldn't do, but it doesn't look like a great job - so outside of outsourcing it to India I'm out of ideas.:mrgreen:

[sunnydude2]

We have passports for the kids on board with us. I like the idea of being able to just call when coming and going from the US to Canada. No charge for the kids if they are under 18 for the pass as they go on the parents pass.

[Chass]

We were going to Guatemala last year for Christmas with my Dad so we all renewed our passports previous to that trip. I'm glad we had them for the outing to Buchart Gardens. RH customs was really on the ball. They stopped us on the way accross the border with that big fast boat. They were miles away and then suddly they were there! It felt like we were all going to jail for something or other!

Passports are easy and cheap and they trump everything else.

My sister was stopped about 15 years ago coming across the border in her hippy Subaru. Her boyfriend had his tiny pipe with pot residue in it stuffed in his shoe. She didn't have anything on her but she still got a body cavity search and a $5000 fine because of it and that was pre 9/11. They tore her car to pieces. They were able to drive it but it was TORN UP. She now preaches to all her friends, "Don't even THINK about bringing anything back!" Its not worth it.

Chass
ct