The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that a new free reporting option is available for small boaters—the Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS). SVRS joins the existing NEXUS and I-68 options available to boaters in the Great Lakes.

SVRS enables boaters to report quickly and easily to CBP their entry to the U.S. from foreign waters. It is a free, easy-to-use, voluntary program that you can enroll for online.

SVRS is available to all U.S. citizens, nationals and lawful permanent residents; Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada who are nationals of a Visa Waiver Program country. Current Local Boater Option participants, Trusted Traveler Program members (NEXUS, Global Entry, SENTRI) and current holders of an I-68 (Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit) must apply for enrollment in SVRS on-line in order to participate, but they do not need to schedule an interview with a CBP officer to complete their application.

The enrollment system is Web-based. New applicants register online and self-schedule an interview with a CBP officer at an authorized reporting location of their choice.  Participants receive a welcoming email with their Boater Registration (BR) number and password for SVRS.

As of May 2011, SVRS is currently deployed in the following locations:

• Florida
• Puerto Rico
• United States Virgin Islands
• United States/Canada border.

SVRS will be deployed next in the following locations

• West Coast: Oregon to California
• East Coast: New York City to Georgia
• Gulf of Mexico: Alabama to Texas.

It should be noted that unlike NEXUS, this is a CBP program for entry into the U.S. and not a joint program between the U.S. and Canada.

NOAA introduced a new public service called the On-Line Chart Viewer in July of 2006. The Viewer lets mariners display any nautical chart in the national suite using only an Internet browser. Each chart is updated weekly for Notice to Mariner corrections by NOAA. The Viewer's fast, image displaying software permits rapid chart display, panning and zooming. The On-Line Viewer can be used for voyage planning and research. Professional mariners can examine their intended routes for recent changes. With appropriate graphics software, screen captures can be saved for inclusion in reports.

The Canadian government's CANPASS - Private Boats Program has been modified. The fee for issuance or renewal for CANPASS -Private Boats programs will change from $25 per year to $40 for five years. CANPASS - Private Boat program members may call up to four hours in advance to report their estimated arrival time in Canada and then arrive at a telephone reporting marina site.

The CANPASS - Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permit is still available. The RABC permit allows the bearer to cross the border into Canada at certain remote areas (from Pigeon River through to and including Lake of the Woods, the Canadian shore of Lake Superior, Cockburn Island, the upper lock system at Sault Ste. Marine, and Emerson West Lynne) without reporting to a port of entry, as long as imported goods are declared.

Boaters can make harbor slip reservations around the state. Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance of your arrival date. New inventory becomes available at 8 AM Monday - Friday and 9 AM Saturday and Sunday. Reservations can be made on the web or by calling the Department of Natural Resources' state park reservation number, 800-44-PARKS. Slip availability can also be checked on the website.