US Customs and Immigration

We have to leave the US on the 31^st as our visa waivers expire.  The waiver is valid for 90 days, but that is from the first entry into the US, not the actual time spent in the US, so although we have only been her for around 6 weeks total, we have to go.

I had 3 extra crew planning to join us for the passage from here to Plymouth, Cornelius, a friend from the BCYC, Richard, a friend of Sarah’s from the gliding club and Lidia, a Spanish girl looking to be an au pair, and a sailor to boot.  Lidia to fly into NYC on the 24^th, and C and R on the 29^th.  Great, all sorted.

In anticipation of the US Immigration being concerned that they might not have a return ticket, I gave all of them a letter from me, quoting the boats official number, country of registration and the US Cruising Licence number.  All information about the boat is on the US Customs and Border Protection database, so if any US official wanted to verify the letters they could do so.

However Lidia got to Madrid airport with her letter, a valid ESTA and a ticket, but a US Immigration official decided that none of it was valid or genuine and refused her access to the flight.  Despite then providing him with a direct contact number for CBP here he didn’t want to know and wouldn’t change his mind.  A few days of stress ensued, could Lidia get here? No.  Could I sail with just the three of us? No.  Could I get us out of the US? Would I have to fly back to the UK and then get another ESTA to return?  Could we get to Canada instead?  Could Lidia get to Canada?  Could I get charts for Canada in time?  I didn’t sleep well.

Finally an email from Lidia, she has a flight to Canada, so we need to get to Halifax.  Only 430 miles and a good forecast is in the offing, maybe this will work, as long as R and C don’t have similar problems...