Request for Reimbursement of Cost of Transoceanic Transportation

An advance decision was requested concerning payment of expenses incurred in transoceanic travel by a privately owned boat in connection with a permanent change of station (PCS). A Navy officer was authorized travel at personal expense upon PCS from Morocco to Florida, with reimbursement of the cost of transoceanic transportation not to exceed the amount to which he would have been entitled for travel between his old and new duty stations using Government aircraft or vessel or Government procured transportation or transportation procured at personal expense, via a direct route. The officer used a privately owned sailboat to make the PCS. Regulations provide that reimbursement for travel expenses incurred in the use of a privately owned boat is limited to fuel, oil, and docking fees. GAO believed that the officer was entitled to reimbursement on an actual expense basis not in excess of the regulatory limitations. The officer also claimed expenses for insurance, food, and consumable stores. GAO held that these were personal expenses, and there was no authority in the regulations for their payment.