Sorry Mike but you won't win. British North America became Canada by Confederation in 1867. Although a member of the British Commonwealth, Canada has been a sovereign Nation and the rights contained in the Treaty of 1846 including the vessel guarantee you mention has been honoured by Canada, Furthermore, I don't think there are any disputed areas these days. Great Britain having no further rights in Canada since 1867 are treated as any other foreign ship and are not permitted to trade their ships within Canadian waters without payment of a 25% import duty. Vessels built in the USA however, may be imported duty free under the provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement but so far the USA has not reciprocated in the case of commercial vessels. Maritime trade within Canadian navigable waters is reserved exclusively for Canadian registered vessels under the Canadian Coastal Trade Act which is our version of your Jones Act. Trade within the Great Lakes is reserved exclusively for vessels registered in either the USA and Canada. Our Coastal Trade Act even applies to a vessel carrying freight or passengers between our east and west coasts despite the fact that the vessel has to transit foreign waters while in transit. I guess we are a bit more lenient than the State of Washington though, pleasure yachts under 500 tons, are exempt from compulsory pilotage in Canada. Cheers Bob Keltic Marine Group www.kelticstar.com Non US flag yachts traveling to Washington State should take note. I sent this letter to the British Embassy in Washington DC. The Treaty of 1846 guaranteed vessels of both nations travel in the Disputed areas of British Columbia and the Columbia River. The State of Washington acts as if the treaty was between Canada and the State of Washington; in that they are forcing foreign flag vessels of GB And also those of Commonwealth nations to use expensive pilots to Transit their waters. Or, pay expensive fees in lieu of. At the least, the State of WA should exempt not only all Canadian Vessels, but those of GB proper. But, in addition there is an argument To be made that the treaty, if it devolves to include Canada, should Also include all other Commonwealth nations, such as Australia. I draw this to your attention as I consider it to be an injustice for Which your government should raise a protest. Note: a reprint of the treaty, http://www.ccrh.org/comm/slough/primary/ortreaty.htm -- Mike Maurice. USCG Merchant Marine Officer. Tigard, Oregon 97224 o;? [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type image/gif which had a name of grad.gif] [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type image/gif which had a name of image.gif]