<Peter wrote in part: Knocking the system here is naive to say the least. Do your bloody homework and stop whinging, and selling short a country that welcomes you, albeit only simply needing to engage the disciplines required.> We run into folks all the time who complain about this or that country's entry requirements. Peter is 100% correct in that if you don't have your information and visa's/permit's in order either you or your boat can be in trouble with local authorities. Cruising into other jurisdictions isn't quite the same as cruising from one state to another or even into Canada or Mexico from the States. We've never had any issues anywhere and have our paperwork in order for the next country to visit. Clearing in/out of 13 countries this past Spring/Summer just in the Caribbean gives one pause to reflect on the need to be up to date on the ever changing requirements. As the US tightens up on visas for foreign nationals they reciprocate. Here is St Lucia's very dynamic list: http://tinyurl.com/2zrsx2 The Caricom countries in the Caribbean have instituted a 24 hour notice of arrival with complete crew/passenger list and hour/port of arrival requirements. They also have a 15 of departure notification requirement when leaving. Makes it a bit tough not to have some flexibility to change you itinerary if the weather makes the passage plan you have turn ugly. The Marine Trade organizations are working to except yachts from this but even with this press release: http://www.noonsite.com/Members/doina/R2007-11-01-1/view I cannot find the real definitive answer from several of the countries. Most of the customs folks in the small ports that we clear into don't care about this requirement yet it is on the books as part of the unified Caricom clearance procedures. So as Peter says do the homework, make sure you have what is required and use the latest info. It's a very dynamic world out there now and all countries are trying to "protect their borders" in what ever fashion the politicians think is correct. We are but .001% of the visitors in most places so laws aren't made to accommodate passagemakers/cruisers. Never bypass a country as you miss the reason to be out there cruising. You may need to avoid certain "hotspots" but writing off any entire country because some vociferous person thought they could just walk in is crazy. As always YMMV... Dave & Nancy Swan Song Roughwater 58