Boat paper's taken

karenssp · #1 03-30-2005, 12:05 PM

On Monday, my hysband was asked by the Commodante, or Govt. Service people to hand over our boat papers, for no apparent reason. They however give him a price to get the papers back. I find this very upsetting. Why would they just take his papers. I told him he should'nt have handed them over. He said they would have just looked for another reason, i.e maybe jail. Who knows what else. (This is ALL just to get money from people who come to their beautiful country to enjoy a few weeks or months.) We are thinking about living their some day, but I'll have to give it a long through.

Ken · #2 03-30-2005, 12:36 PM

Where were the papers taken? By the comandante of what port? What sort of boat is it and where is it? Are you cruising on it and living aboard? Had the vessel previously been recorded by the Comandante's office?

karenssp · #3 04-03-2005, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken

Where were the papers taken? By the comandante of what port? What sort of boat is it and where is it? Are you cruising on it and living aboard? Had the vessel previously been recorded by the Comandante's office?

The boat is in Luperon. It is not at the dock, it is moored at bay. No we are not cruising on it. We are trying to sell it. I have no idea if the yacht has been recorded by the Comandante's office. Do you have to record your boats at their office?

Chris · #4 04-03-2005, 07:01 PM

I think what Ken is asking is if you cleared customs and did the necessary paperwork to cruise in Dominican Republic waters, or come into a Dominican Republic port? Usually this consists more or less of checking in at customs at the port of entry, having your boat papers for perusal and having all the crew passports stamped. Sometimes you get a cruising permit. I do know in the DR they need the crew listed in triplicate as well as your manifest in triplicate. Did you follow the procedure on coming into a sovereign country's waters?

Hillbilly · #5 04-03-2005, 07:39 PM

And see how long it takes for the ATF guys to get out there!!.

While I am sure that this is just sort of normal proceedure, you really should check the requirements before dropping anchor.

"Selling it"? Oh yeah, to whom are you going to pay the sales tax? What right do you have to use Dominican waters to conduct your business, make a profit and skeedaddle? Sounds like you still think there are Indians roaming the hills.

Not that you are far off, but there are certain proprieties to be observed.

Nope, so far, I'd say you've been sort of lucky....I can't imagine the USCG ignoring a boat moored in any coastal water for much time.

HB

Chris · #6 04-03-2005, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillbilly

While I am sure that this is just sort of normal proceedure, you really should check the requirements before dropping anchor.

Yes it is normal procedure but differs from country to country. And yes, one checks the requirements before you go ahead. If you don't, they'll take your boat's papers, your boat and land you in whichever country's jail before you can blink an eye. Worldwide.. not just here.

We should assume that karenssp followed procedure. (The alternative is kinda unthinkable for boaters). Although we've not sailed into Luperon for the past three years, the many times that we did before that, we were treated courteously and with respect. We had no Spanish but had our paperwork ready in Spanish.

Correlating the recent CloggyBoots post where they were told they needed a "permission to repair", (never heard of such a thing!) I'm just thinking that something untoward may be happening.

Ken · #7 04-03-2005, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karenssp

The boat is in Luperon. It is not at the dock, it is moored at bay. No we are not cruising on it. We are trying to sell it. I have no idea if the yacht has been recorded by the Comandante's office. Do you have to record your boats at their office?

Yes, the first thing a boat entering the harbor must do is clear in with Customs, the Comandante, and anybody else they bring along. In fact, the crew is not allowed to leave the vessel and go ashore until the vessel and crew have been properly cleared into the country.

If you just entered the harbor, anchored, went ashore and about your business, you are very, very lucky if they don't confiscate the vessel. I don't know what country you are from, but I know that a boat better not enter US waters without properly clearing in if they want to avoid major problems.

Chris, it is hard for me to believe they followed normal procedures if not aware that the Comandante has a record of every vessel in the harbor, and that making sure there is such a record is the first thing that must be done by an arriving vessel.

You are right, Chris, it is not just the DR that is tough on boats coming in unannounced and unregistered. With the world-wide concern about drug smuggling, terrorism, etc., etc., the movements of arriving vessels are closely monitored.

Chris · #8 04-03-2005, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken

If you just entered the harbor, anchored, went ashore and about your business, you are very, very lucky if they don't confiscate the vessel. I don't know what country you are from, but I know that a boat better not enter US waters without properly clearing in if they want to avoid major problems.

Chris, it is hard for me to believe they followed normal procedures if not aware that the Comandante has a record of every vessel in the harbor, and that making sure there is such a record is the first thing that must be done by an arriving vessel.

Knowing Luperon, it is hard to think that one can get off there without following procedures. It is not like one can hide there. You can dingy to the yacht club, where some person will question you no doubt, or you can go over to the 'government dock', where some uniformed official will get hold of you, no doubt.

I don't understand the original question Ken - or maybe I do and it just kinda blows my mind.

More information please Karenssp.... We will try to assist, but you have to tell the story straight.

karenssp · #9 04-04-2005, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Knowing Luperon, it is hard to think that one can get off there without following procedures. It is not like one can hide there. You can dingy to the yacht club, where some person will question you no doubt, or you can go over to the 'government dock', where some uniformed official will get hold of you, no doubt.

I don't understand the original question Ken - or maybe I do and it just kinda blows my mind.

More information please Karenssp.... We will try to assist, but you have to tell the story straight.

My husband orginally sailed his boat to Luperon, he saw a boat that he liked and the other person (who lives in DR) was interested in his boat, so they made an exchange. All the paper work was in order. So know my husband is doing some repairs on the boat, ie. rebuilding the engine ect. inorder to sell it or bring it back home. Alone comes the Comodante' asking for the boat papers. You see the boat had been moored in the bay for a year prier to that. My husband is a licence captain, and knows the procedures when entering different ports.

Chris · #10 04-04-2005, 03:38 PM

How much is he asking to 'return' the papers? Do you have copies?