BajaNews
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Mexican Navy Says It Will Check U.S. Boats
http://www.thelog.com/news/logNewsArticle.aspx?x=12528
By: Taylor Hill
Last updated: July 21, 2011
Boaters heading into Mexican waters in search of tuna and yellowtail should bring their passports along with their favorite jigs, as the Mexican navy
has begun increased on-the-water inspections of U.S. boats in an effort to control drug smuggling off the nation’s coast.
Arturo Martinez, deputy director of visitor assistance for the state tourism office of Baja California, said that the enforcement is an effort by the
Mexican navy to deter drug smuggling operations.
“Mexican immigration law requires that all persons bring with them their valid passport or passport card -- not only to come into Mexico, but for
returns to the U.S.,” Martinez said.
According to Martinez, the law has been in place for years, but the recent on-the-water enforcement so close to the U.S.-Mexico border appears to be
new. Many times, boaters out of San Diego fish along the border, crossing it to chase breezing fish moving down the coast.
Earlier this month, Costa Mesa boater Barry McKay said he was fishing just south of Los Coronados islands in Mexican waters, within three-quarter-day
range of San Diego, when he was stopped and boarded by Mexican navy officials. They asked for his passport, fishing license and a signature stating he
was the captain of the vessel.
During the encounter, McKay claims the Mexican navy vessel rammed his boat, causing damage, and that has him wondering whether he should attempt to
fish in Mexican waters again.
McKay, who immediately contacted the U.S. Coast Guard upon his return, said that officials are looking into the incident, but didn’t believe there was
much they could do about it.
Coast Guard Lt. Sean Groark cautioned that boaters who cross the border should be aware they are in foreign waters, and they must adhere to the
Mexican navy’s regulations.
“It’s their waters, basically. It’s not like we can just say ‘stop it,’” Groark said.
So far, Gary White of Fisherman’s Landing in San Diego said he had heard rumors of increased inspections and boardings of private and charter
sportfishing vessels going into Mexican waters, but hadn’t seen any in the landing’s fleet.
“We work closely with Mexico, we have a good working relationship and, right now, we are exempt from the passport issue,” White said. “But boats that
touch foreign ports, like Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas, are required to have passports. As long as we are not going to port down there, we aren’t
required to carry passports on board.”
For private vessels, Martinez warned that boaters fishing near the border should carry their passport and Mexican fishing license with them, as they
are subject to the rules and regulations in place and could be subject to inspection and boarding by the Mexican navy.
Information on applying for and obtaining a U.S. passport can be found online at travel.state.gov. The typical lead time for getting a passport is
four to six weeks, but expedited service is available for a two- to three-week lead time. If you have a trip planned within the next 14 days and
cannot wait that long, visit the Los Angeles expedited passport service location at 9911 W. Pico Blvd., Suite 103.
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shari
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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it's a good idea to monitor channel 16 for when the navy hails you to try to get you to stop for an inspection...but you may need to know some spanish
as they hail you in thier mother tongue..they usually call themselves the BUKI(the vessel type) and Armada de Mexico... so listen for those words
[Edited on 7-21-2011 by shari]
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bajaguy
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Don't forget to put your bumpers or fenders out.
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bajajurel
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Good tip.
PS. I always carry a photocopy of my passport in the same pouch as my Mexican Fishing License.
bajajurel
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BajaNews
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http://www.dailybreeze.com/sports/ci_18573862
By Philip Friedman
07/28/2011
There are unconfirmed reports the last two days of the Mexican Navy boarding two San Diego-based boats at Cedros Island and demanding proof of
citizenship of the passengers.
Arturo Martinez of the Baja California Norte State Tourism office says that you must have a passport to enter Mexican waters.
"Yes absolutely, they are entering Mexican waters or territory and are required to comply with the immigration laws of Mexico."
Martinez said that boaters in Mexican waters are required to accredit their legal stay in Mexico with a passport and that the Navy can request your
passport and fishing permit when they perform a routine inspection.
Martinez said the Navy will be doing more inspections than ever as it attempts to put a stop to illicit drugs entering the United States by boat. He
went on to say that even anglers on three-quarter-day trips to the Coronado Islands should carry a U.S. passport.
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Tbone
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajurel
Good tip.
PS. I always carry a photocopy of my passport in the same pouch as my Mexican Fishing License. |
Is a photocopy of a passport
any good?
Mas Pacifico
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bajaguy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Tbone
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajurel
Good tip.
PS. I always carry a photocopy of my passport in the same pouch as my Mexican Fishing License. |
Is a photocopy of a passport
any good? |
Good enough to get you a replacement at any US Consulate or Embassy
I always carry a copy of my passport (photo page), US drivers license and FM-2 in my Baja wallet. Originals are locked up at the house.
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karenintx
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
| Quote: | Originally posted by Tbone
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajurel
Good tip.
PS. I always carry a photocopy of my passport in the same pouch as my Mexican Fishing License. |
Is a photocopy of a passport
any good? |
Good enough to get you a replacement at any US Consulate or Embassy
I always carry a copy of my passport (photo page), US drivers license and FM-2 in my Baja wallet. Originals are locked up at the house.
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I do the same plus I have a copy of an CFE bill from at least 3-4 years ago. About a year ago we stopped off at the bank, an after thought as we did
not have our passports with us. When the bank teller asked the hubby for his passport he looked at me like "Oh ****". I put on my poker face, pulled
out his passport & FM-3 photocopies then along with his his Texas DL he put them on the counter without blinking an eye. She looked at the papers
and drivers license then processed our transaction. She only said "next time you need to bring your passport." We said "Si".
Other than that day I have never had to show it to anyone else.
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shari
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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karinmix has a great idea...you know for many tramites here in mexico, they require a CFE bill and it carries alot of weight and shows you have
standing here although they usually require a more recent one....but it is wise to carry one in your papers.
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karenintx
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I forgot to say, I also keep a copy of our first FM-3 which helps create a timeline. However I think I will add a more current CFE bill to the older
one...Thanks Shari for the suggestion. I also keep a set of copies in the glove compartment of our SUV just in case the hubby is drivng around town
without me and my "Baja purse".
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MitchMan
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Sounds like COPIES of FM2/3, CFE bill, driver's licence, US passport will get you by, even though the gov't employee would prefer (or officially
require) the originals.
I think that carrying originals on your person (or in certain instances even in your car) is really risky for three reasons: 1)risk of accidental
loss 2)physical deterioration due to such handling 3)Mexican gov't employee (especially cops) can take the original from you as a form of extortion,
leaving you quite legally vulnerable during the time you are without your originals PLUS there is a risk of loss due to the gov't loosing your
original, deliberately or accidentally misplacing it, or deliberately and unreasonably retaining the original.
[Edited on 7-29-2011 by MitchMan]
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bajaguy
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Originals.........
| Quote: | Originally posted by MitchMan
Sounds like COPIES of FM2/3, CFE bill, driver's licence, US passport will get you by, even though the gov't employee would prefer (or officially
require) the originals.
I think that carrying originals on your person (or in certain instances even in your car) is really risky for three reasons: 1)risk of accidental
loss 2)physical deterioration due to such handling 3)Mexican gov't employee (especially cops) can take the original from you as a form of extortion,
leaving you quite legally vulnerable during the time you are without your originals PLUS there is a risk of loss due to the gov't loosing your
original, deliberately or accidentally misplacing it, or deliberately and unreasonably retaining the original.
[Edited on 7-29-2011 by MitchMan] |
Originals????.....don't got to show you no stinkin' originals....however....
If you want to see the originals officer, please follow me home....
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karenintx
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As far as driver's license...both of us carry one current and one expired Texas driver's licenses. All info is the same, including the photo since we
were able to renew online, it just has a new expiration date. If the day comes when we have to hand over a "DL", the officer will get the expired
one. If he/she notices the expired date we will hand him/her a copy of the current "DL" then if he still wants to see/touch the current one...we will
have to go see "el jefe" at the station. Hope that day never arrives!
[Edited on 7-29-2011 by karenintx]
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BajaGringo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
I always carry a copy of my passport (photo page), US drivers license and FM-2 in my Baja wallet. Originals are locked up at the house.
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I keep scanned copies of them in an online email account along with a list of other important numbers / info that can be downloaded and printed
anywhere I am should I ever be caught in a pickle...
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jbcoug
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Gringo,
Now that is a very bright idea. Thanks for sharing.
John
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Alan
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| Quote: | [quote
Martinez said that boaters in Mexican waters are required to accredit their legal stay in Mexico with a passport and that the Navy can request your
passport and fishing permit when they perform a routine inspection.
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This is profiling!!! I wonder if Arizona is aware of these unfair practices!!!!
In Memory of E-57
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