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February 2013 Network on Feb. 6 & 20 in Ft. Lauderdale. See page C2-3
A12 Latitude Adjustment Captains and crew are on the move.
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Industry obituaries Two prominent yachting journalists die.
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Now that’s a surprise Get the facts on cruising Mexico’s Pacific coast.
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Navigate the ‘boat show bond’ during season By Dorie Cox There are legal ways to sell a yacht in the United States, but it can be complicated. Boat shows offer foreign-flagged megayachts for sale a navigable option, the “boat show bond.” Typically, when a foreign-flagged yacht comes into U.S. waters, it has 48 hours to check in with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. At that time, it
can get a cruising permit to sail in the country for up to one year. But that boat cannot be offered for sale or charter to U.S. citizens. That’s the big rule of the cruising permit; it only allows for personal use. If the boat comes to the U.S. specifically to be sold, however, there are several paths it can cruise down. It must either be imported into the United States first (and pay 1.5 percent tax on the value of the vessel), it must
be turned over to the “care, custody and control” of a broker (which prohibits the owner’s personal use) or it can post the boat show bond. More than a hundred yachts opt for the latter each season, said customs broker Trey Reeder. Posting the bond allows the yacht to be shown to any potential buyer, therefore eliminating the need for the “not for sale to U.S.
See BOND, page A11
Blame it on the Titanic New rules usually come after accidents on boats.
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Define cheap: Captains on yachts and their owners When the topic for this month’s captains conversation was announced at lunch, the captains in the room let out a collective chuckle. It seemed that most all had had some experience with what we called “cheap owners.” But as the conversation grew, it became clear From the Bridge that despite the Lucy Chabot Reed occasional sea story, yacht captains have come to understand why and how owners are more frugal with their yacht budgets than perhaps they once were. We began by trying to define cheap. The dictionary says simply “low in price or cost; not expensive” but also with the informal “stingy”. But the captains didn’t define the word; they defined the owners. “There are two definitions,” one captain began. “Those who are frugal or
See BRIDGE, page A16
An important part of yachting is derived from professional relationships. And The Triton hosts networking PHOTO/DORIE COX events each month to do just that. See more photos of January networking on page A10.
Courses may cut into your paycheck, vacation By Dorie Cox Although tedious, several experts advise that crew stay informed about course requirements that affect STCW, Officer of the Watch, Efficient Deckhand, Human Element Leadership and Management, ECDIS and more. “It is important for crew to understand changes,” said Mike French, president of International
Crew Training in Ft. Lauderdale. “Some of these will hit them in the pocket. “The average spend for OOW equals about two more weeks, potentially a couple of thousand dollars,” he said. Julie Liberatore, manager of student administration at Maritime Professional Training (MPT) in Ft. Lauderdale, recommended crew stay organized and know the route they are on.
“It is hard for crew to get time off,” Liberatore said. “They want to plan ahead so training is not so burdensome or intimidating.” Some of the courses are finalized and some are still being clarified. Liberatore quoted Roger Towner, chief examiner of MCA, who introduced the list with, “you’ll be renewing wet stuff and hot stuff.”
See COURSES, page A13
TRITON SURVEY
Does your yacht have rules about dating a crew mate?
Yes – 31.3% No – 68.8%
– Story, C1