Holland & Knight LLP, law firm in Washington D.C, USA, has provided us with the following information.

Quote

On April 7, the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a rule amending the regulation pertaining to filing of commercial vessel manifests for passengers and crew members. Effective June 6, such manifests must be filed electronically (submittal via the USCG electronic Notice of Arrival/Departure [eNOA/D] system will meet this requirement).
Many ships and their corporate headquarters currently lack the technology to make such electronic submittals. Various companies will provide this service for a fee. The carrier, though, remains responsible for ensuring that the information transmitted is correct, the travel document presented by the passenger or crew member appears to be valid for travel to the United States, and the passenger or crew member is the person to whom the travel document was issued.
This is a clear example of an agency abusing its power by imposing a premature and heavy burden on the industry in order to reduce the workload on the agency. 70 Fed. Reg. 17819

Unquote

* Update
All international commercial carriers transporting passengers and/or crewmembers must obtain an international carrier bond and place it on a file with Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) prior to entry or departure from United States.
The Port Director set the minimum bond limits, where for example Portland, Oregon has set their limit at US$50000. Members (and in particular their agents) are recommended to contact the respective Customs Port Director to ascertain the position.
CBP will start enforcement of the international carrier bond requirement on February 1st, 2006

---

Member Alert is published by The Swedish Club as a service to members. While the information is believed correct, the Club cannot assume responsibility for completeness or accuracy.