Unusually high waters in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River have put 17 videophone stations out of commission to the boating public.
Use of the phones, which are part of the Outlying Area Reporting System (OARS), is suspended until further notice. The phones are used by boaters crossing into U.S. waters from Canada to report their arrival to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The affected videophone stations are: Dunkirk, Erie Basin (Buffalo), North Tonawanda, Youngstown, Rochester & Rochester City Dock, Wilson, Olcott, Point Breeze, Sodus Point, Oswego, Sackets Harbor, Clayton, Alexandria Bay, Morristown, Ogdensburg, and Waddington.
Whiles OARS is suspended, boaters must report themselves and their passengers upon their arrival via phone by calling 1-800-827-2851. They should have the following information ready to give to the operator:
- Name, date of birth and citizenship of all people on board
- Vessel name and state-issued registration number
- Home port and current location
- If vessel is 30 feet or longer, U.S. Decal number
Reporting over the phone via the 1-800 number is available for I-68 landing permit holders and trusted traveler cardholders (i.e. NEXUS, Global Entry, FAST). To obtain an I-68 landing permit or trusted traveler document, contact the nearest U.S. port of entry or visit CBP's website.
