Miami - As part of the Customs and Border Protection comprehensive effort to improve the security of our nation's borders, while enhancing legitimate travel specifically for boaters who are enrolled in the Local Boater Option program and perspective participants, CBP has implemented the Small Vessel Reporting System - available to all U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. SVRS is a web-based automated on-line reporting system created for LBO participants to expeditiously report their intended arrivals from foreign countries. Additionally, the web-based system will facilitate the enrollment of new applicants for the LBO program. New applicants will be able to enroll and make an appointment for a face-to-face interview with a CBP officer at an authorized reporting location of their choosing. Once participation in the LBO program is granted by CBP, the participant will receive an email with their Boater Registration number and password for SVRS. Current LBO participants must apply on-line for a password to access the float plan functions of SVRS.
The program is designed to provide LBO participants an easy to use web-based tool to record and update their intended international travel on a private vessel by filing a float plan.
Float plans consist of biographical information of all people intending to travel, vessel registration information and itinerary information. Once a float plan is entered and activated, SVRS will issue a float plan number. Upon return to the United States, the LBO participant will contact a fully-automated phone system and enter their float plan number. The automated system will ask a series of Customs related questions and provide the participant with their arrival number, or refer the participant to a predetermined inspection site for a CBP inspection. Travelers who are not LBO members must report to their nearest CBP office for immigration processing within 24 hours of arrival.
Effective May 1, 2010, current LBO members can start accessing and filing their float plans on the Small Vessel Report System by visiting the CBP website under the tab labeled "Travel" and "quicklink" Small Vessel Reporting System.
Current LBO participants will have to go to "Password Request (Existing Participants)" and follow the indicated instructions. Once completed, participants will receive an email with a password and instructions on how to file a float plan. After receiving a password, participants are ready to add/update/activate float plans. Questions pertaining to the Small Vessel Reporting System, can be directed to the CBP Small Vessel line at (800) 432-1216.