Coast Guard regulations dating back to the 1980s stipulate a 24-hour advance notice. On Oct. 4, 2001, three weeks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Coast Guard instituted a temporary rule that rose the advance notice to 96 hours. By the end of 2001, it was permanent.

    Until May 21, the regulation had not been enforced in South Florida. Capt. James Watson, captain of the port in Coast Guard District 7, said his bosses have recently asked him to enforce it. Other USCG districts have been enforcing the rule, he said.

    Effective immediately, foreign-flagged vessels less than 300 gross tons must file an ANOA with the captain of the port (COTP). In South Florida, the COTP can be reached at (305) 535-8701.

    Foreign-flagged vessels larger than 300 gross tons must file an ANOA with the National Vessel Movement Center (NVMC). The same form can be filed electronically to sans@nvmc.gov. For more details or to ask questions, visit www.nvmc.uscg.gov, or call (800) 708-9823.

    U.S.-flagged vessels are exempt from the requirement as long as they remain “recreational” in the eyes of the Coast Guard.

    For vessels less than 100 tons, being considered “recreational” means that they carry no more than six passengers. Vessels more than 100 tons can carry no more than 12 passengers.

    U.S.-flagged vessels that exceed those limits are considered commercial by the Coast Guard and must comply with the 96-hour ANOA rule.

    A narrow niche of foreign-flagged yachts would also be exempt, Watson said: those that do not carry the certificates to take passengers for hire.

    For boaters leaving a foreign port with a cruise of less than 96 hours but greater than 24 hours, U.S. authorities must be notified prior to leaving the foreign port.

    If the cruise lasts less than 24 hours, U.S. authorities must be notified 24 hours prior to arrival at the first U.S. port.

    The Coast Guard suggested boaters say in their ANOA that they will be following a trip itinerary, weather permitting.

    If weather causes a delay, the Coast Guard said boaters should notify the authority of the change in arrival time. Changes of less than 6 hours do not need to be reported, Watson said.

    If an ANOA is not filed, the Coast Guard said it will require the vessel to remain outside U.S. waters until the information is provided. Resulting security precautions could include boardings, the Coast Guard said.

    According to the Coast Guard, first-time offenders may be issued a warning; second-time offenders will be subject to civil penalties; and “continual” offenders (those with three or more failures) will be required to remain outside U.S. territorial waters for 24 or 96 hours, depending on the last port of call.

ANOA MS Excel Format
USCG Excel Use Brochure Adobe Acrobat Format

Reprinted with permission from The Triton, copyright 2004.