TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums US VI and Puerto Rico Dropping off up guests in St Thomas

Hello everyone
My boat is based in the BVI but in my next trip I will need to sail to St Thomas to drop off guests in St Thomas. They will go straight form the boat to the airport.

I would appreciate any suggestions about smart ways of doing that.

Thanks in advance

Charlie

Where is it that you plan on clearing US customs?

I'm not sure that's really a decision, is it? Isn't it required that you first stop in Cruz bay to check in?

We're likely doing the same thing next trip. We will probably sail from Norman to Charlotte Amalie the day before they are leaving, clear in and spend the night anchored there. If their flight is later in the day we might consider clearing at Cruz Bay and then spending the night at Christmas Cove. Partly depends on whether they want to spend their final night in relative solitude or they prefer shopping and dining options. FWIW, we will also probably spend some time in the USVI and maybe SVI after dropping them at the airport since we will have already cleared C&I anyway (though a trip to the SVI will require we clear customs a second time).

Also, someone correct me if I'm wrong here, if the boat has a LBO sticker you should be able to just call in and do customs and immigration over the phone. Not sure how likely a charter boat out of the BVI is to have one, but worth checking into. We were able to do that coming into the SVIs on our last trip and it saved quite a bit of time.

Matt

To the OP, Crown Bay is your best option. It's 5 minutes from the airport, they have provisions, laundry, dining, and a great group of people who run the place. As to the LBO (local boat owner) sticker, all members of crew must have the certificate, it's not for the boat. You also need a U.S. Customs sticker on the boat. I don't know about charter boats, but the stick is $27.50 a year. After SVI, you do not have to check back in to the USVI.

It is a decision with options. Since the OP didn't say whether they were clearing in on STJ or on STT or intending not to clear in at all, it's hard to give them suggestions. They also didn't indicate if they want to dump passengers and dash back to the BVI or spend time here. Sail2wind provided a decent option.

As to clearing in at Cruz Bay, C&I has been fine with people coming straight from the BVI to St Thomas and clearing in at either Yacht Haven or by the seaplane. I know that's not exactly how the regs read...

I keep my boat in the BVI and have done this once or twice. I find the easiest and most pleasant is to clear in at Cruz Bay then go over to Lindberg Bay, St. Thomas. The holding is good and it is within walking distance to the airport. You can park your dink at Emerald Bay resort and there are a couple fairly good restaurants. Its quick, easy and simple and not a bad anchorage to spend the night before.

Matt, many day trippers who live closer to town clear in STT, never a problem

I always thought you had to clear in at St. John when coming from the BVI. Good to know.

I beleive that you check in at closest point of entry.

Yes, there is a decision. We can clear in at Charlotte Amalie or Cruz Bay. We are "aliens" so we have to do the thing in person. That said, the clear-in will happen way before the dropoff, which is what I am asking about.

Fair winds
C

Thanks. The location sounds great. I would like to avoid spending the night at a marina though. Do you know if there is an anchorage within dinghy range of the Crown Bay dinghy dock?

Many thanks in advance!

C

You may find the shortest boat trip is the easiest - pick up a mooring outside Cruz Bay STJ and dinghy into the dock with all aboard to clear C&I - your airport bound guests could easily take the ferry from there in Cruz Bay direct to Charlotte Amalie STT - [3 times a day] - get off on the waterfront in STT and take a 3-5 min. taxi to the Airport.

The closest anchorages to the Crown Bay docks are:
NW side of Hassel Is.
S side of Water Is.- Elephant Bay
W side of Water Is.- Honeymoon Bay

Sorry; we have to clear-in in person because we are "aliens":) and we will spend time in USVI both before and after dropping off those guests..

Do I understand correctly that

a) the Emerald Bay Resort dinghy dock is the closest place to the airport where I can land a dinghy and;

b) they usually let sailors use their dock to land people who are not staying at the hotel?

no dock, Crown Bay has a transient fee of $20 if you choose not to stay on the dock. Or you can anchor at Elephant and pick them up at the Ticles dock when they arrive.

I hate to ask this but what kind of "Aliens" are you? Visa waivers don't apply to private vessels.

Aliens of the human kind. No green skin or antennas..

Sure, my UK passport is eligible for Visa Waiver Program but this does not work when arriving by own boat.

Therefore I need to drag everyone to Customs and Immigration on the way in and drop off I-94s on the way out. I do that in Cruz Bay that is very user friendly...

Thank you everyone!