Here’s a short article from our Florida Keys Correspondent, Captain Charmaine Smith Ladd. This news will be of interest to anyone cruising to the Florida Keys from the Bahamas or other waters outside the USA!

March 9, 2011
Marathon, FL Keys – One Step Closer to Becoming International Port of Entry
by Charmaine Smith Ladd
Ryan McCarthy reported in today’s edition of the Keynoter that Governor Rick Scott has endorsed the city of Marathon’s efforts to become a Port of Entry for international travelers. It is documented in a letter sent by Governor Scott to U.S. Customs and Boarder Patrol on March 3rd. This is great news!
Locally, this has been a well-known pet project of Marathon City Councilman Dick Ramsay. With the possiblity of Cuba opening up to U.S. travelers, touting Marathon as a Port of Entry surely makes sense. Currently, international travelers arriving in Marathon (via air or sea) travel to Key West to check-in with U.S. Customs.
It would be highly ideal to have both the City of Marathon’s Airport as well as Boot Key Harbor serving as Ports of Entry. This would make compliance with checking in to U.S. Customs in a timely manner a much simpler process for those travelling by boat.
Charmaine Smith Ladd, s/v September Sea
SSECN Correspondent
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