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Posted

Yes and no. Pre 9/11 the ability to observe and collect such information was certainly present, but said information was often underutilized.....in essence, the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing.............

Im only saying what they could do , and did as it was experienced directly by me

Of course they are better at it now, and more and better equipment of course but they were always aware on the lakes.

Now on land they certainly werent going back a few decades. Otherwise I couldnt get beer passed over the border at Kettle Falls/Laurier on a Sunday. No one manned the booth, no electronics of any kind.

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Posted (edited)

As to the control over border crossings between Canada and the USA, believe what you want to believe. There are hundreds of people crossing over in the prairies and the Great Lakes every day and coming back - at will and with no customs or confrontations or searches or anything.

Ask those folks who live on farms in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Alberta near to the border. Ask those people who live on the North and South side of Great Lakes or even those who have cottages there. I have attended parties on both the American and Canadian shores where I was introduced to guests who had just jumped into their cruisers and had crossed the lake in less than half an hour for the party. I remember one where they ran out of beer on the Canadian side on a Sunday and someone was dispatched to the American side to get some more beer. Ask anyone who lives in those areas and away from "border crossings".

This increased scrutiny is just an attempt to placate the masses that our borders are tight and fully controlled. Our physical situation is very similar to the border between Mexico and the USA.

It is estimated that well over 100,000 illegals enter the USA through (over) its southern border every year.

The joke is that legal crossings, airplanes, trains etc are being more and more "tightened" while people are streaming in at will under, over and around those silly fences in the South.

Why would any terrorist with any brains try phoney passports, birth certificates et al bother when all they have to do is sneak over at will?

BTW - During colder winters like this year you can walk over the ice from Canada to the USA or snowmobile to get some good deals.

Edited by Big Guy

Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.

Posted

Im only saying what they could do , and did as it was experienced directly by me

Of course they are better at it now, and more and better equipment of course but they were always aware on the lakes.

Now on land they certainly werent going back a few decades. Otherwise I couldnt get beer passed over the border at Kettle Falls/Laurier on a Sunday. No one manned the booth, no electronics of any kind.

Without a doubt, in the past, the borders were far more porous, with the Canadian/US border having more of a focus on custom levies, and in the case of waterways (like you mentioned) public safety/SAR.........

Today is far different, and though far from perfect, is still hardly the US-Mexico gong-show.

Posted

As to the control over border crossings between Canada and the USA, believe what you want to believe. There are hundreds of people crossing over in the prairies and the Great Lakes every day and coming back - at will and with no customs or confrontations or searches or anything.

And those "hundreds of people" are either committing crimes or are holders of an RABC permit, valid for their local remote crossing........of course now, said posts are manned 24/7 (often remotely at night) or are in the process of or have been closed.

Posted

And those "hundreds of people" are either committing crimes or are holders of an RABC permit, valid for their local remote crossing........of course now, said posts are manned 24/7 (often remotely at night) or are in the process of or have been closed.

There are all sorts of boats moseying into Canadian waters with little to no one to say otherwise.

I've been asked a good handful of times now where the local customs office is by other skippers. We don't have one, we have an agent on call... Mon-Fri between 8 - 4. Land on a Friday night and leave Sunday, who'd ever know?

A government without public oversight is like a nuclear plant without lead shielding.

Posted

First time I sailed my boat out of Florida to the Bahamas and returned 2 months later, I docked at Pier 66 at the customs dock with my Q flag flying...nobody there. Went ashore and found a phone booth with a sign tacked to it saying if you need customs call this number, which I did. A customs agent answered and told me there was an agent over there already to clear another boat, if you find him he can clear you. If you dont see him call back. I actually did find him and he took and he asked me about 4 questions, gave me the clearance slip, never did board the boat. Ah the good old days I guess.

Posted

I'm talking about just within the last few years and I see US boats coming and going into local waters everyday for months on end.

There was this one fellow who just couldn't get over the fact he hadn't already been boarded hours ago never mind take my advice to just chill out and enjoy himself until Monday morning. He muttered something about writing a stern letter and kicked the anchor out and waited, presumably until Monday morning - I recall his Star-spangled banner had a crisp law-abiding snap to it in the wind.

Speaking of the good ol' days I haven't seen a Tofino has big busts tee-shirt in a long time.

A government without public oversight is like a nuclear plant without lead shielding.

Posted

There are all sorts of boats moseying into Canadian waters with little to no one to say otherwise.

I've been asked a good handful of times now where the local customs office is by other skippers. We don't have one, we have an agent on call... Mon-Fri between 8 - 4. Land on a Friday night and leave Sunday, who'd ever know?

And said boats are monitored, from arrival to departure (and throughout their voyage, from initial global starting point to final global destination) through numerous international agreements (namely with the Americans) and our own Government's initiatives.........from Supertankers to Boston Whalers........

Furthermore for the West Coast, any vessels "moseying" Southwards from the Johnstone Strait or into the Juan de Fuca (from Tofino ~Southwards) that are unidentified will be actively tracked by aircraft and can be boarded in required.

Posted

A friend and I sailed his boat over to Friday harbour for music festival not so long ago and never did see a customs officer either going or coming back to his home marina on Van. Isle. At Friday other folks on boats just said anchor up and if they want to talk to you they will motor out to see you, otherwise pay no heed. How cool is that!.

Posted

A friend and I sailed his boat over to Friday harbour for music festival not so long ago and never did see a customs officer either going or coming back to his home marina on Van. Isle. At Friday other folks on boats just said anchor up and if they want to talk to you they will motor out to see you, otherwise pay no heed. How cool is that!.

If true, your friend either had an I-68 permit for his boat or is apart of SVRS/NEXUS.........if not, you/him broke the law, both on going to and returning from the United States.

Posted

If true, your friend either had an I-68 permit for his boat or is apart of SVRS/NEXUS.........if not, you/him broke the law, both on going to and returning from the United States.

Nope, like I say, if they wanted to check you, they would motor out and do so.They did with a few arriving boats, seemingly at random. They just didnt bother with us.

Posted

Nope, like I say, if they wanted to check you, they would motor out and do so.They did with a few arriving boats, seemingly at random. They just didnt bother with us.

.....because "your friend's boat" was already registered or you're full of it.

Posted

It had a Canadian registration number on it. Thats it. Boat had never been in US waters prior.

Then you never disembarked from the boat ashore.

Posted

Certainly did. Had dinner, visited with other boat people, and then some drinks and enjoyed the various bands.

Then, as I already said, you're lying........fore anyone that has actually been to Friday Harbor, knows the proper procedures for foreign vessels entering the harbor and that the CBP enforces the laws 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.........

If your friends boat didn't dock at the US Customs breakwater, then it would have been boarded, all aboard arrested and the boat seized.

Posted

Then, as I already said, you're lying........fore anyone that has actually been to Friday Harbor, knows the proper procedures for foreign vessels entering the harbor and that the CBP enforces the laws 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.........

If your friends boat didn't dock at the US Customs breakwater, then it would have been boarded, all aboard arrested and the boat seized.

Its the only time Ive been to Friday Harbour and I aint lying. I resent your saying so but it just once again displays your ignorance.

Posted

Its the only time Ive been to Friday Harbour and I aint lying. I resent your saying so but it just once again displays your ignorance.

Hardly ignorance, I've legally been to Friday Harbor numerous times, and from doing so, know that US Customs takes enforcement very seriously (like everywhere)......With Friday Harbor in particular, if you came ashore as you claim, your "friends sailboat" would have passed the US Customs station/breakwater on entering the harbor, a Station that operates 7 days a week with full view of the entire harbor (hence its placement), docked without incident and your party carried on with your fantasy tale........

In reality, if not first boarded by US Customs prior to docking, once landed, armed Customs officers, with quite likely San Juan County Sheriffs (Who's office is a block from the Marina) in tow, would have arrested your entire party.....no ifs ands or buts.

Posted

Hardly ignorance, I've legally been to Friday Harbor numerous times, and from doing so, know that US Customs takes enforcement very seriously (like everywhere)......With Friday Harbor in particular, if you came ashore as you claim, your "friends sailboat" would have passed the US Customs station/breakwater on entering the harbor, a Station that operates 7 days a week with full view of the entire harbor (hence its placement), docked without incident and your party carried on with your fantasy tale........

In reality, if not first boarded by US Customs prior to docking, once landed, armed Customs officers, with quite likely San Juan County Sheriffs (Who's office is a block from the Marina) in tow, would have arrested your entire party.....no ifs ands or buts.

Sorry to disillusion you. We actually never did dock the sailboat. We anchored in the harbour as I already mentioned (but you dont listen well it seems) We rowed ashore in the dinghy after we got stowed and the music started ashore.

Posted

It looks to me that Derek 2.0 is telling it like it should be - not the way it is. I guess that Derek 2.0 feels that the anecdotes that I and OGFT are sharing are not true and he does not believe them. That is certainly his/her prerogative - especially since this is an anonymous board and consequently the stories cannot be verified.

Personally, I have no reason to embellish my descriptions except for emphasizing that the government is having us focus on having to leave toothpaste and et al on your side of the border. No one can make our borders secure.

BTW - I have not even mentioned access through Indian Reserves that straddle the borders.

People get transport trucks filled with people and/or cigarettes without inspection across the borders and we are told to focus on some guy with an iffy passport and looking like a foreigner flying in in first class.

Keep the masses placated.

We are being played.

Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.

Posted

It looks to me that Derek 2.0 is telling it like it should be - not the way it is. I guess that Derek 2.0 feels that the anecdotes that I and OGFT are sharing are not true and he does not believe them. That is certainly his/her prerogative - especially since this is an anonymous board and consequently the stories cannot be verified.

Personally, I have no reason to embellish my descriptions except for emphasizing that the government is having us focus on having to leave toothpaste and et al on your side of the border. No one can make our borders secure.

Your point is akin to stating the State is "playing" the populace because despite laws against drunk driving, some people, still drive drunk...........or cheat on their taxes......or steal........or commit rape and murder etc.

BTW - I have not even mentioned access through Indian Reserves that straddle the borders.

People get transport trucks filled with people and/or cigarettes without inspection across the borders and we are told to focus on some guy with an iffy passport and looking like a foreigner flying in in first class.

Without a doubt there is still smuggling and people sneaking into the country, of that, I've never said otherwise.

Posted

There are about 3,500 km of border between the USA and Mexico. There are thousands of illegals who jump that border every day.

There are about 8,000 km of border between Canada and the USA - another 3,000 if you count Alaska.

The border between Canada and the USA can never be made "secure".

What I an saying (and it looks like I have to repeat it) is we are being played.

We have x-rays and dog sniffers and strip searches and confiscation of any liquid in a jar at official border crossings - but meanwhile, there are hundreds of people waltzing from Canada into the USA daily. All this searching etc is to make the populace feel that we are being looked after through our "security" systems.

It is estimated that at the moment there are about 50,000 to 250,000 illegal aliens in Canada - who cannot be located - but we still play this silly game at official border crossings.

Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

Of course it's OK...one can't just go prancing across international borders with presumed immunity from inspection of person or possessions.

If not acceptable, do not seek entry. Not complicated.....

You don't have a very good grasp of unreasonable search and seizures, George. Why does that not surprise me?

Posted

You don't have a very good grasp of unreasonable search and seizures, George. Why does that not surprise me?

I don't know Jesus....maybe it takes a lot to surprise you. Our border...our rules. Your border...your rules.

Economics trumps Virtue. 

 

Posted

There is a "phenomena" in my part of the country where every second Sunday in July, some folks gather around an island in Lake Erie. In my younger years I had attended the festivities. About 2,000 boats and about 10,000 people (from both Canada and the USA) converge around the shallow areas and have fun.

There were two police launches there the last time I attended. With boats moored next to each other it creates a gigantic floating boardwalk as people visit, enjoy and share. They share a lot.

Meanwhile, the x-rays, strip searches and confiscated sun tan oil continue at "official" border points on land at crossings. Why would anyone looking to do mischief line up at a border when they could hitch a ride to Pottahawk and get a lift (with beverages) to the other side?

http://www.pottahawkpissup.ca/

See you at the next July party - I'll be the grey haired guy in a thong.

Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.

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