Simplify Caribbean Sailing with eSeaClear: The Pre-Arrival Notification System
Discover how eSeaClear, the Caribbean's pre-arrival notification system, streamlines the customs clearance process for sailors. Learn how to register, use the system, and experience a faster, more efficient way to sail through the Caribbean without the hassle of paperwork.
eSeaClear: A Game-Changer for Caribbean Sailors
Wouldn’t it be nice to sail from country to country throughout the Caribbean without the burden of knowing that you have to set aside valuable time to fill out mind-numbing documentation upon arrival and departure? eSeaClear, the Caribbean pre-arrival notification system, is designed to enable small vessel operators to submit electronic arrival and departure notifications to participating Customs offices in the Caribbean. While the day is coming when you can travel from port to port with your eSeaClear PAN ID, for now, be prepared to complete some paperwork and you may be pleasantly surprised to find that your clearance process has been electronically expedited.
First Encounter with eSeaClear: A Seamless Experience
My first encounter with eSeaClear was this summer when I was in a rush to clear a vessel into Curaçao. It was late in the afternoon when Clifford Neuman, of Curaçao Yacht Agency, who oversees a lot of inbound traffic, and I finally sat down. Rather than scribbling vessel ID and passenger passport information on multiple forms in longhand, we logged into eSeaClear and began to type. The final document was neat and clean. We printed out a hard copy of our handiwork, but, in theory, all that was really necessary was a short PAN identification number.
With passports, dossier, and confirmation number in hand, we drove to Curaçao’s central Customs office and were processed in no time even though it was after 5:00 pm. From Customs, we went to Immigration. Although we worked with a pleasant Immigration officer, the experience was tedious. Either he was not familiar with eSeaClear or was more comfortable with the old system, but we sat patiently while we watched him retype all of our information into his system.
Says Neuman, “My experience with eSeaClear is quite good. I use it as often as possible. You don’t need to print anything. You arrive there with your number, and they do a check and print out, that’s it.”
Participating Islands and Territories
The pre-arrival notification system is now available in the following island nations and territories: Aruba, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Maarten, and Saint Vincent and The Grenadines. There is optimism that Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago will soon accept eSeaClear notifications as well. The Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) is working with the remaining islands to implement the program.
Challenges and Future Expansion of eSeaClear
Every port within each country may not yet be eSeaClear compliant. Aaron Smith, the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council’s ITC Officer, notes, “There is a difference between deployment and implementation. It is a work in progress. There are some problems with deployment in outer ports, and it will take a while before everyone operates with an online system. The goal is to have a seamless system that disseminates relevant information to different agencies.”
Benefits for Regatta and Fishing Tournament Participants
Regatta and fishing tournament organizers in the British Virgin Islands and St. Lucia, where the pilot programs were conducted, highly recommend that participants use eSeaClear, especially when hundreds of yachts and sailors are scheduled to arrive at the same time. Shannel Jallim, Assistant Customs Officer for St. Lucia, says the new system makes it easy to clear in and clear out. “It is very helpful when we are working with visitors whose primary language is not English. We don’t have to ask too many questions because most people coming in are familiar with the form.”
How to Register and Use eSeaClear for Your Caribbean Cruise
If you are planning a cruise throughout the Caribbean, take the time to register online with eSeaClear. The system enables vessel operators to notify a country of a pending arrival, store vessel and crew information, edit or cancel travel notifications, and utilize stored information to easily create new notifications. Most importantly, it will enable you to clear Customs quickly and efficiently and let you start enjoying your visit sooner.
For information visit: www.eseaclear.com
Note: The eSeaClear™ trademark is registered to and owned by Tradebytes Data Corp.
Conclusion: Sail Faster and Enjoy More with eSeaClear
eSeaClear is revolutionizing the way sailors navigate customs in the Caribbean. While full implementation across all ports is still a work in progress, the system offers a significant improvement in the efficiency and convenience of clearing customs. Register with eSeaClear today and streamline your Caribbean sailing experience.
Lynn Fitzpatrick has written for ALL AT SEA since 2008.
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