Crossing U.S. and Canadian Border PNW

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

There is some wonderful cruising between Ketchikan and the Broughtons in normal times. It's 98% protected and I wouldn't call it a slog at allView attachment 116957

Oh I agree totally. But in normal times

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Yes, certainly not a slog and we locals consider it to be wonderful cruising any time. The border being closed does not eliminate the wonder. Some would say it enhances it.

I wouldn't say 98% protected though and I say that because there are just enough new to boating fools, who would take your words and picture as a it being a cruise on the lake.

Queen Charlotte Sound, Millbank, Chatham/Dixon, account for more than a third unprotected and are not always as glassy as your thumbnail indicates. Add the outflows of each and every inlet and unprotected water hits closer to 50%.

You are correct but when it is calm, oh what a joy, unless there is heavy fog. Cruisers call each of the open ocean parts as "Gates"

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

If one does not go ashore, I see no problem with boats of no more than 4 people transitioning Canadian waters and using buoy.
Of course subject to on the water inspection and health checks.
If the fuel dock offers food delivery, use it if necessary.
Restocking beer and booze does qualify as food IMO.
If you cannot initially stock food and TP for 2 weeks, don’t leave your home dock. If you NEED to take on fuel, take advantage of their facilities provided you remain at the fuel dock or on a buoy or at anchor. Just about everyone has a tender. You can ferry stores from the fuel dock to the boat. If you have a dog, I suspect dock personnel will gladly walk you dog for a tip.

So CBSA does not want you going ashore. If you do you MUST report to the Mounties. You WILL get fined.

If you need food, then the fuel dock staff will get it for you. Not sure alcohol would qualify. I would guess not. Remember NO contact. No tender in the water. You will not be allowed to stay at the marina or use a mooring ball (this is my guess). The only mooring balls I know of on our route is Mark Bay off of Newcastle Island.

 

[soin2la]

Cruisers call each of the open ocean parts as "Gates"

How many of these "Gates" are there and where are they?

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

How many of these "Gates" are there and where are they?

For us the gates are:

1. Run from Astoria to Neah Bay.

2. Cape Caution

3. Millbrook Sound

4. Dixon Entrance.

You could also count Clarence Sriats and southern portion of Chatham Straits.

 

[soin2la]

For us the gates are:
1. Run from Astoria to Neah Bay.
2. Cape Caution
3. Millbrook Sound
4. Dixon Entrance.

You could also count Clarence Sriats and southern portion of Chatham Straits.

Well, thanks for that, I just learned something new; only two on our coast and I can’t find Millbrook.

Was I wrong to believe this veteran Alaska cruiser and flotilla shepherd, was among the most knowledgeable on this route?
https://youtu.be/g1N1EaoUGNo

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Milbrook (sp) Sound is between Shearwater and Klemtu. Hope I got that right.

Yea we know Sam. I think he is the one who coined the phrase "Gates" when he worked for Waggoner. He and another friend did flotillas, pre Covid in a nortic tug. I think he has moved up to a Nortie or similar boat. Nice folks.

 

[soin2la]

Well, to borrow one from RTF;
https://media3.giphy.com/media/xTk9...i7k7r082v9xj0x5qtmldzzkwva&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g

 

[RT Firefly]

 

[Inbreaker]

Milbrook (sp) Sound is between Shearwater and Klemtu. Hope I got that right.

Yea we know Sam. I think he is the one who coined the phrase "Gates" when he worked for Waggoner. He and another friend did flotillas, pre Covid in a nortic tug. I think he has moved up to a Nortie or similar boat. Nice folks.

I wonder if you are thinking of Milbanke Sound....

 

[OldDan1943]

So CBSA does not want you going ashore. If you do you MUST report to the Mounties. You WILL get fined.

If you need food, then the fuel dock staff will get it for you. Not sure alcohol would qualify. I would guess not. Remember NO contact. No tender in the water. You will not be allowed to stay at the marina or use a mooring ball (this is my guess). The only mooring balls I know of on our route is Mark Bay off of Newcastle Island.

I doubt if “they” want you to hang out on the fuel dock so tying up to a buoy or anchoring out while waiting for a food delivery and maybe ferrying it out to your boat.
Maybe due to the current boating situation they won’t mind your boat on the fuel dock?

 

[rslifkin]

I doubt if “they” want you to hang out on the fuel dock so tying up to a buoy or anchoring out while waiting for a food delivery and maybe ferrying it out to your boat.
Maybe due to the current boating situation they won’t mind your boat on the fuel dock?

I'd expect most places would only care if you're in the way of another boat wanting to come in. If they don't need the space, they'd probably be fine with you staying a little longer.

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

I wonder if you are thinking of Milbanke Sound....

Yep. Thank you

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

I'd expect most places would only care if you're in the way of another boat wanting to come in. If they don't need the space, they'd probably be fine with you staying a little longer.

Well according to my contact the Mounties visit almost every day. Best to get your fuel, then make your way north.

 

[rslifkin]

Well according to my contact the Mounties visit almost every day. Best to get your fuel, then make your way north.

Agreed. I was referring to the waiting on the fuel dock for a delivery after fueling up. Probably best avoided when possible, but I'd expect most marinas would try to accommodate if necessary.

 

[soin2la]

People shouldn’t need supplies and certainly not before reaching Port McNeill.

PORT MCNEILL IGA
Phone 250-956-4404
Open Daily: 8:00am – 8:00pm
https://www.igastoresbc.com/find-a-store/port-mcneil-iga

They offer free dockside delivery. At this time, transient delivery usually happens at the fuel dock and most times if a proper dialogue has taken place your order will arrive minutes before you do.

Worst case, you hover in the bay for a bit.

Just remember, things are fluid; what is said today, could change tomorrow, you are not their only customer and don’t throw stuff if they haven’t got your favorite snacks.

The RCMP visiting daily is a myth but to be sure, you just don’t know when you might see them.

If at anchor, you are visited by First Nations or Coastal Guardians, whatever rights you think you or they have, just be respectful.

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

People shouldn’t need supplies and certainly not before reaching Port McNeill.

PORT MCNEILL IGA
Phone 250-956-4404
Open Daily: 8:00am – 8:00pm
https://www.igastoresbc.com/find-a-store/port-mcneil-iga

They offer free dockside delivery. At this time, transient delivery usually happens at the fuel dock and most times if a proper dialogue has taken place your order will arrive minutes before you do.

Worst case, you hover in the bay for a bit.

Just remember, things are fluid; what is said today, could change tomorrow, you are not their only customer and don’t throw stuff if they haven’t got your favorite snacks.

The RCMP visiting daily is a myth but to be sure, you just don’t know when you might see them.

If at anchor, you are visited by First Nations or Coastal Guardians, whatever rights you think you or they have, just be respectful.

Thank you for the post.

The visitation by RCMP was relayed to me by a respectful individual. None the less I agree with Soin2la.

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

PR Fuel

A friend of mine received this message ( I removed all the personal info) from PR Fuel:

From:
Sent: Monday, April 26, 2021 8:13 AM
To:
Subject: Re: From website link. - fueling American vessel



Good morning J, as long as you have cleared customs you are good to go. Once you have finished fueling u can proceed up to the office to pay, we are only allowing 2 at a time and must have a mask.



Thanks



On Sat, Apr 24, 2021 at 5:56 AM wrote:





I will be transiting Canadian waters to Alaska, in an American vessel, on a Canadian Border Patrol approved itinerary in early May. I would like to stop for fuel at your marina location in Prince Rupert. I understand the protocol is for the crew to stay on the boat at all times. I wanted to confirm with you that you can accommodate this fueling protocol and ask if you have any additional instructions or information we may need.



We are on 39’ boat and will need approximately 200 gallons of diesel.



Thank you very much for your assistance.

 

[Wild Blue]

We cleared into Canada this morning at False Creek Fisherman's Wharf. It was the longest and most detailed boat inspection ever we've had in over 50 Canadian entries. Heard the same for clearings today at Van Isle.

As requested, here is our BC transit to AK itinerary.

Pleasure Craft Wild Blue
AIS Class B Transponder MMSI 367668180


Location: *** British Columbia, Inside Passage, WA to AK*

Entry: *** April 26 at False Creek Fisherman's Wharf, Vancouver, BC

Exit: *** *** May 4 at Dixon Entrance, AK

Duration: *** 8 Days with excellent weather


April 26:
Call CBSA when crossing Border for advance notification.
Submit ArriveCAN request.
Arrive at False Creek Fisherman's Wharf

Accept delivery of safety equipment (lifeboat, aka Highfield RIB)

Anchor in Plumper Cove or Secret Cove anchorage

April 27
Gorge Harbour Anchorage, Cortes Island

April 28
Double Bay Anchorage, Hanson Island

April 29
Sunshine Bay Anchorage, Ripon Island

May 1
Rescue Bay Anchorage, Susan Island

May 2
Lowe Inlet

May 3
Brundige Inlet, Dundas Island

May 4
Foggy Bay, AK (or Ketchikan, AK)

Cheers Alex

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Thank you for the info. On marinetraffic I noticed 5 more heading north. Going to be a party in K-Town

 

[soin2la]

We cleared into Canada this morning at False Creek Fisherman's Wharf. It was the longest and most detailed boat inspection ever we've had in over 50 Canadian entries.

Interesting choice of stops.
False Creek would be my last choice for clearing with CBSA, right now, but then I saw you had a pickup, so it made sense.

I hope you are received well in Gorge Harbour, at this time.
Non-Cortes residents are being told to stay away and I could see even an innocent enough hook dropper drawing some attention.

Where will you be on Apr 30, between Ripon and Susan.?

 

[Wild Blue]

Where will you be on Apr 30, between Ripon and Susan.?

April 30th was our single weather day. Looks like it may not be enough with the front coming through this week. We will probably hunker down somewhere in the QC Strait, if we get that far.

Yesterday, I asked the customs officer if we still needed to call CBSA when anchoring at a location not on our itinerary. She said that was not necessary as long as the stop was on your same general route to Alaska. Of course you need to call to fuel up, or enter a port for any reason. The same information was reported by Mystic Moon that cleared through Van Isle yesterday. BTW they also received a lengthy, detailed boat inspection.

With that in mind, we'll probably anchor in the Octopus Islands early this evening as Beasley rapids switches in our favor at 600PM.

Alex

 

[soin2la]

We will probably hunker down (1) somewhere in the QC Strait, if we get that far.

BTW they also received a (2) lengthy, detailed boat inspection.

With that in mind, we'll probably (3) anchor in the Octopus Islands

1 With 50 some odd transits, I imagine you've been in Booker Lagoon(?).

2 The CBSA crowd is tired of playing BS poker for a year and are eager to get out and walk a dock for as long as they can.

3 You've done this before.

 

[Wild Blue]

Soin2la

1. Booker Lagoon is bomb proof and a great suggestion, thanks.

2. CBSA folks were quite nice, and respectful. Because we are quarantined aboard, it's difficult for me to see the logic behind the detailed inspection, seeing that we won't be face-to-face with others. I guess if you're a crook, you might be needing the contacts, and thus the inspection.

3. Octopus Islands is a nice anchorage and gets us staged for the wild ride with tail wind up D Passage then J Strait.

Alex

 

[soin2la]

We will probably hunker down somewhere in the QC Strait, if we get that far.

Just an FYI, then I’ll leave you alone and this is as much for the animals sake as yours.

Transient killer whales are hanging out around Hanson Island (Blackfish Sound and Blackney Pass).

In the same area, Guardian, a young humpback, usually the first to arrive in spring, made her appearance on April 12 and others have started to arrive, as well. These are hard to see, easy to strike animals.

A very emaciated grey whale was recently spotted in Parson Bay; in such poor shape it was floating very low in the water, with no dorsal visible, making it difficult to even identify the species.

I mention this because DFO would like to know of any more sightings of this animal, especially a carcass.

 

[Wild Blue]

Ok we will look for an emaciated gray whale and report any sightings. Yesterday we saw two humpback whales entering the north arm of the Fraser River. Assumed boats nearer the animals made the report.

Alex

 

[soin2la]

Ok we will look for an emaciated gray whale and report any sightings.

Not any, just the sickly grey. Almost every other whale of all echotypes, from Port Renfrew up the inside to Cape Caution, is IDed, named, catalogued and monitored.

The Fraser River outflow, mixes with the fast flowing, nutrient rich Juan de Fuca Canyon, to produce one of the richest plancton>krill>capelin feeds, anywhere.

 

[tomfive]

Transit through BC waters to AK

The pent up demand for WA boaters to head north into the BC Inside Passage is huge. When Canada opens up the border again, there will be an avalanche of boats overwhelming the border crossing points. Marinas offering temporary slips will be booked solid. Canadian cruisers should go now while the marinas and anchorages are empty. American cruisers dying to get to SE Alaska should take a good look at the "Transit Only" option. It may just be a window of opportunity before the Inside Passage becomes the Inside Clog.

 

[sunchaser]

The pent up demand for WA boaters to head north into the BC Inside Passage is huge. When Canada opens up the border again, there will be an avalanche of boats overwhelming the border crossing points. Marinas offering temporary slips will be booked solid. Canadian cruisers should go now while the marinas and anchorages are empty. American cruisers dying to get to SE Alaska should take a good look at the "Transit Only" option. It may just be a window of opportunity before the Inside Passage becomes the Inside Clog.

Johnstone Strait, Cape Caution, Dixon Entrance, tight weather windows, dreadful currents, unsound vessels and the inability for many to anchor correctly scare away all but the capable. Rumor has it Waggoner just canceled the flotilla. The clog will likely be a trickle for quite some time.

 

[koliver]

Johnstone Strait, Cape Caution, Dixon Entrance, tight weather windows, dreadful currents, unsound vessels and the inability for many to anchor correctly scare away all but the capable. Rumor has it Waggoner just canceled the flotilla. The clog will likely be a trickle for quite some time.

Their website says it isn't happening this year. No longer a rumor.