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Second Wind - Customs and immigration



Entering and leaving countries by private yacht is interesting. In fact we Europeans are not allowed to enter the USA as a normal tourist, and had to get visas to fly in. When arriving by boat, the boat's home country flag must be flown at the stern of the boat, the new country flag flown high up in the rigging, and the yellow 'Q' flag for quarantine flown below it. Only the skipper is allowed ashore, taking all passports to the customs office, to be inspected, have them stamped, possibly have the boat inspected too, and be given permission to take down flag Q and to disembark. It has been known for yachts to be impounded or sent back!

When leaving, again the skipper visits customs taking passports for exit stamps, before being given permission to leave. We have all completed this today through the rally office. We are getting close to departure!

The morning skippers briefing was an exclusive affair, and only the skipper and one member of crew were allowed to attend. The front will howl through around midnight on Saturday, and it's now unlikely we will head out on Sunday. But there will be another briefing on Sunday morning ....the cliff is still hanging




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