Newz Forum: GOLF: Tiger avoids fine for unannounced port arrival on yacht

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Tiger Woods will not be fined for entering San Juan's port aboard his yacht without notice following his wedding, but the U.S. Coast Guard warned him not to do it again.

Since July 1, new U.S. Homeland Security Department regulations require many boats to submit an arrival notice at least four days before entering a U.S. port. The Coast Guard briefly detained Woods and his new wife aboard their 155-foot yacht, the Privacy, after it entered San Juan's port Thursday.

The Privacy's captain said he did not know the new regulations applied to Puerto Rico, a U.S. Caribbean territory, officials said. The skipper said he stopped in San Juan only to refuel. The Privacy, registered in the Cayman Islands, was allowed to refuel as immigration authorities spoke with those aboard, including the newlyweds.

The Coast Guard's captain of the port could have fined Woods up to $32,500 but since it was a first offense a letter of warning was sent instead, said Lt. Eric Willis, a spokesman. The letter was issued Friday, he said.

"The yacht will be subject to a fine if it happens again," Willis said.

The golf great and Swedish model Elin Nordegren were married Oct. 5 at a Barbados resort. It was not clear where the yacht went after leaving Puerto Rico.

Woods had been expected to return to the PGA Tour on Oct. 21 for the Funai Classic in Florida, but he decided to skip the tournament. Before his wedding, Woods played in the American Express Championship in Ireland. He finished ninth and slipped to a No. 3 world ranking.