2023 North Cruise Update

Ahoy!

The 2023 LIYC North Cruise is ~3 weeks away, and I hope you all are excited about it as much as I am. If you haven’t already notified me, please let me know if you will be joining us for the cruise, so I can add you to the group list.  Now for some important details on the itinerary, group events, border crossing, things to pack, and communication plan.

ITINERARY (July 10 – Aug 4)

*also posted online as a pdf document that you can print or download to your mobile device.

GROUP EVENTS

• July 11th (Ganges)  – Group Dinner at Salt Spring Wild. Please let me know if you plan to attend, so I have a correct headcount.
• July 18th – R2AK (Race to Alaska) inspired race R2PH through Prideaux Haven using your human or sail powered mode of choice (e.g., paddleboard, kayak, swimming)
• August 1st – The 2nd Annual Great Sailing Bake-off at Hornby Island
• Sundowners – we will take turns hosting each other on our boats, sharing appetizers and drinks.
• Swimming, hiking, and generally hanging out throughout the day.
• Fish derby – whoever catches the largest fish within the duration of the cruise wins!

CROSSING THE BORDER

     to Canada:

• arrive at Bedwell Harbor, South Pender Island (https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/offices-bureaux/492-eng.html) customs dock (here is a list of the other marine telephone reporting sites a.k.a. border crossing locations if you are altering the North Cruise itinerary: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/services/trsm-sdtm-eng.html)
• Call the customs office using the phone onsite (only one person allowed off your vessel to do this before clearance)
• Don’t bring eggs, poultry, fruit, etc (we can all provision in Ganges, Salt Spring Island). Other restrictions detailed here: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/bgb-rmf-eng.html

     to the USA:

• Have your DTOPS decal sticker (for crossing the US border by boat: https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/main/#%20)
• When crossing into US waters, fill in your information into the CBP mobile app (https://www.cbp.gov/about/mobile-apps-directory)
• Wait for a call back from a US customs officer for clearance.
• If you are not cleared, you will likely need to go to Friday Harbor.
• Food restrictions (https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/agricultural-items)

IMPORTANT THINGS TO BRING

• PASSPORTS
• DTOPS decal sticker (for crossing the US border by boat: https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/main/#%20)
• 200 ft of floating stern line (this comes in handy in the smaller anchorages in Desolation Sound)
• Canadian courtesy flag and your LIYC burgee
• 2023 Currents and tides book

COMMUNICATION

I will set up a group SMS text chat for us to communicate. We will also use VHF channel 68 for ship-to-ship communication.  

HAZARDS

After departing Bedwell Harbor (enroute to Ganges), be sure to avoid this no-go marine protected areas for the Southern Resident Orcas (0.5 miles off the coast). Apparently fines can be as much as $1 million!! https://waggonerguide.com/gulf-islands-no-go-restricted-areas-reminder-avoid-a-1000000-fine/

Looking forward to seeing you on the water!

Melissa Rohde

650-468-1901

Rear Commodore