WASHINGTON, DC (WWTI) – New contactless features will be extended for boaters in US waters.
United States Customers and Border Protection has announced that its CBP ROAM will introduce new features for pleasure craft operators. This will allow these boaters to apply and update their cruise licenses.
According to CBP, boaters can now apply for a cruise permit through the CBP Roam mobile app. This license allows certain foreign-flagged vessels to travel to US ports without completing any official documents or paying a fee on arrival.
The CBP ROAM ™ application automates the cruise license application and update process. It can also eliminate the need to visit or call a CBP office. The application process is now integrated into the arrival report.
“CBP is delighted to offer this new service to recreational boaters as part of our transition to innovative, contactless processes that improve our operations,” said CBP Field Operations Office Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner Diane J. Sabatinon, in a press release. “By eliminating the need to physically enter a CBP office, we provide boaters with significant time savings and a safer environment for the boater and CBP employees.”
In 2018, CBP updated the way boaters can report their arrival. These boaters were able to provide all the required input information and interact with the CBP through video interviews on smartphones or tablets.
Current users who already have a paper cruise license should update their vessel information in the CBP ROAM ™ app with their cruise license number. Once verified, the “Stopover” button will appear and can be used to update their cruise license.
