Story - Arrival US
Kalandia Web Diary
Bill Peach
Fri 28 May 2010 15:55
Departed from Chub Cay on one of the Berry Islands 24 May. If we were going to Miami or the Florida Keys we would have gone to Bimini to stage the crossing from there.
Does anyone have $48million and want to buy Chub Cay Marina and Resort? It has been on the market for a year and is a casualty of the recession. It is a big marina mainly for sport fishing boats but it is conceivable that yachts could go in. There are some lovely old New England type houses, most of them empty, a restaurant and bar and a shop, a building especially for fish preparation, fuelling berth etc, but it all looked very lifeless. There is a police station and accommodation for workers too. There was a beautiful manta ray flying gently between the docks (pontoons in English). Had a chat with the solitary bar tender and found out about hurricanes. Last year they had the first one in May. The early hurricanes are mainly wind but the later ones (August/September) also include sea surge and are most damaging.
After 24 hours crossing the Bahama Banks and then over deep waters to West Palm Beach we arrived safe and sound.
We expected the Gulf Stream to be more prominent when we crossed. We cautiously made some allowance for a current of 3 knots in our heading but it wasn’t necessary. However the conditions were as calm as can be and we had to motor so that probably was the reason. We managed to get the cruising chute out for a brilliant sail for some of the time at the beginning.
On the ledge of the Banks before it dropped away from 6m to 900m we caught a 5kg African Pompano with an old mauve and white squid lure. Today is the third day of fish for supper and that is even after sharing some with Leni and Bert last night.
We entered the US at Lake Worth Inlet and our advice would be to go in until you see the left hand waterway open out and head into it. The commercial port is on the other side of the inlet – on the main land in effect. We found enough water for anchoring but be careful as there are several variations in depth. Catamarans will have no problem. The good thing about the anchorage is that it is close to the Riviera Beach Municipal Marina where you can leave your dinghy for $10 and the Customs House where you clear into the country. There was a lot of uncertainty as to what you had to do. In the event we dropped anchor then telephoned the Homeland Security number in the pilot book who took details then gave us a number and we had to report in person within 48 hours. We then had to go to another floor to get a cruising permit for the boat ($29) which lasts for a year. We however, can only remain for 6 months then have to make landing overseas, even if only for a day, then come back and go through the check in process again. The written instructions we were given (it seems that not everyone is quite certain of the procedure) says that all foreign flagged vessels must report when leaving the place. It does not say you have to report when you reach your next destination. We will probably be asked our plans when leaving, but of course weather etc. might change those plans. In the UK we are facing similar rules requiring you to report your movements. It is very controversial. That phrase, we will go where the wind takes us, may not be allowed anymore.
The last two days were major shopping days. Winndixie supermarket for food and Boat Owners Warehouse (good for serious work on boats) here at Riviera Beach and several branches of West Marine (huge chandlery chain) in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The Navionics chips were not available at West Marine in Palm Beach so the kind salesman gave us the details of Blue Water Books and Charts in Fort Lauderdale (where you can browse all day). So we drove to Fort Lauderdale (although later BOW told us they could get it next day delivery). Note that in Fort Lauderdale there are two branches of West Marine – one is huge, the other has Al Franconewho is very knowledgeable about lots of things and makes time to share them with you. He makes WiFi boosters for Windows or Mac for about $180 if anyone is interested www.wifisolutionslynx.com so you don’t have to leave your boat to find the nearest hotspot.
We have received confirmation from informed others that the Navionics electronic charts for Bahamas are not so dependable. We have written to them about a couple of their shortcomings, namely Norman’s Stake (paper charts and Navionics e charts do not conform) and the channel at Norman’s Cut only appears to exist within the 2m contour line whereas it is passable at 3m + - but apparently many others have similarly complained without much success.
John from Amazing Grace popped by and has met up with Cacanny who is taking his boat out here (both ARC participants). If we have to nip in anywhere suddenly Jacksonville is apparently a fair bolt hole and then Charleston which is our next intended stop.