VESSEL INSPECTION GUIDE. PROCEDURES, REGULATIONS AND DOCUMENTATION FOR THE PROCESSING OF CREW AND PASSENGERS ARRIVING IN THE UNITED STATES

The present document was issued by the United States CBP, i.e. Customs and Border protection, to serve as a guide providing all regulations and established procedures for the ships entering American waters. Though it is not actually intended as a comprehensive reflection of the regulations and laws governing entry to the US. It rather seeks to assist with proper identification of the issues considered significant to the maritime industry and list them in a logical manner.

The main objective of this guide is to promote the processing of all required forms as well as to ensure correct documentation and proper processing of the crew members and passengers; another goal is to reduce the fines. The content of the publication includes a comprehensive glossary of terminology used, many informative illustrations showing the forms, as well as the examples of the completed records.

The book starts with the arrival and departure manifests and entry requirements for the crew members, followed by the chapters devoted to the crew inspection and passengers, pre-inspection procedures, stowaways and private vessels, ferry operations and other important aspects that have to be addressed.