The United States Coast Guard Southeast District reminded on Friday that any vessel registered in the country wishing to travel to Cuba must obtain prior mandatory permission, under the threat of civil and criminal penalties that include the seizure of the vessel.
The notice, addressed to boat owners and operators and published on the institution's social media, was accompanied by the Maritime Safety Bulletin MSIB 01-26, issued last Tuesday from the Southeast District office in Miami.
The campaign, aimed specifically at recreational boaters in South Florida, uses the hashtag #DontTakeToTheSea and garnered over 14,000 views in just a few hours.
The Coast Guard's reminder also comes amid increasing attention on initiatives like the maritime flotilla or convoy "Nuestra América," promoted by activists aiming to sail to Cuba from South Florida for political and international pressure purposes.
Such actions, which have gained visibility on social media in recent weeks, reinforce the concerns of U.S. authorities regarding unauthorized departures and possible incidents in the Florida Strait, an area already marked by recent tensions and security risks.
According to MSIB 01-26, any U.S.-flagged vessel measuring less than 100 meters (328 feet) in length is prohibited from departing U.S. territorial waters bound for Cuba without a written permit from the Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Southeastern District, in accordance with Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 107.
The process requires submitting the CG-3300 form with complete information, and the minimum processing time is two weeks. Applications must be sent via email to D7Miami-CubanPermits@uscg.mil or by fax to (305) 415-6809.
In addition to the USCG permit, applicants must attach a special license approved by the Office of Industry and Security (BIS) from the Department of Commerce —as sailing to Cuba is considered an export under the regulation of June 5, 2019— and a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) from the Department of the Treasury for transactions related to travel to the island.
The bulletin also establishes obligations for the return: owners and operators must conduct a thorough inspection of the vessel before departing from Cuba and report their arrival immediately to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office. Failure to comply may result in criminal and civil penalties, including the seizure of the vessel.
The announcement comes at a time of heightened tension between Washington and Havana. The Trump administration signed Executive Order 14380 on January 29, declaring a national emergency regarding Cuba and authorizing tariffs on countries that supply oil to the island.
This Friday, OFAC issued a license that excludes Cuba from operations involving Russian crude oil in transit, blocking new supplies amid the worst energy crisis the island has faced in decades.
The Cuban energy crisis is experiencing deficits of up to 2,040 megawatts, and last Monday, there was a total blackout of the national electric system whose causes the Cuban government itself admitted to not knowing.
The security situation in the Florida Strait has also worsened. On February 25, a speedboat registered in Florida was intercepted in Cuban waters with ten armed individuals on board, resulting in four dead and 21 bullet impacts, further escalating tension in the area.
The USCG has issued similar reminders in the past. In July 2021, they
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