It was 2.30am and we had an appointment on the Customs Dock. Yes, there was a Customs officer on duty and she wanted us to check in immediately. Fenders were set out, lines prepared and chart checked for where to go – the north side of Ordnance Island.
Check in was straightforward, getting on to the Customs Dock in 20 knot gusts blowing us off more of a challenge. At first the Customs Officer couldn't take our lines due to her concerns about safety, but acquiesced when I said I'd pass the line gently. Midship secured the bow thruster did its job and I was able to loop a second line around a bollard.
It took thirty minutes to check in for us. For a few dollars more we opted for a three month cruising permit over the cheaper 5 day transient permit. Polly cat presented her passport and certification of vaccines and as long as Jackster stayed at anchor and Polly on board we were told she passed muster.
There's free town WiFi we were able to connect to to let our friends know we'd arrived safely, and to check emails, before we moving off to anchor in Powder Hole on the south side of the harbour rather than find a spot amongst the other boats in Small Boat anchorage.
It was 6am before we flopped into bed, too much adrenalin and the need for showers to be able to go to bed straightaway, for three hours well deserved kip. No time to lie in, we had to go back to Customs for a 9.30am appointment with the health department for the first of four Covid tests. One on arrival, then days 4, 8 and 14.
Back on board after nasal probing, it was a 'we're here' celebratory bacon and egg breakfast before a review of the damage we'd sustained on passage. For a short trip sadly it's a longer list than we would have hoped for.
Our first incident happened on the second morning out when we were close hauled and a gust back winded the sails pushing the tightly sheeted head sail onto the lower spreader and causing a puncture wound. On the main sail a seam at the foot has come unstitched. I noticed this when we were putting the sail away when turning for Town Cut last night. Both sails can be repaired on board when the winds let up and we can drop the sails on deck.
The next two issues need investigating; wind generator and anchor light. The generator began making gnarly noises on day three so had to be switched off. The automatic anchor light isn't coming on and David will need to check the wiring, possibly with a trip up the mast. Inside the boat we had drawers which had opened that had never opened before and things thrown around inside the cupboards. Plus, I have a large pile of salt water soaked towels, clothes and need to give the cockpit a fresh water sluice.
The moral of the story is sail downwind. Its kinder on the boat, the crew and the ship's cat.
No comments:
Post a Comment