11:41N 092:43E
Hello from Port Blair, Andaman Islands. Got here this morning after a pretty quick trip, motor
sailing in light winds and calm (ish) seas. Mostly good (we caught a yummy dorado yesterday for
dinner) but had our share of problems as usual: it seems the fuel we got in Thailand was pretty
dirty and we've gone through fuel filters at an annoying rate. The good news is there is no sign of
the fuel darkening yet. Keep those fingers crossed. Unfortuantely the mainsail furler has given more
problems: this time failing to keep the rolled sail from unrolling again in just 15 knots of wind.
We've been clearing in for the last three hours and it looks like it'll carry on for another several
hours. Don, to get here (or leave here) you would have had to fly via India. No other flights come
or go. We've just been told we'll be cleared in by 4 o'clock today. Not bad... only 7 hours. And
again when we leave. Then there's the paperwork: 6 copies of crewlists, 12 of passports, 4 of
equipment lists, 4 of radio equipment, 3 of registration, 4 of customs forms, 6 of personal property
declaration, 4 itineraries, 4 of ship's stores (detailing diesel, petrol, oil, alcohol, tobacco,
currency, dry stores, frozen stores, fresh stores, safety equipment, flares etc etc etc.) And then
twice every day we have to contact Port Blair and the coast guard with our current position and
where and when we plan to move to next. But they say it's worth it... We'll let you know!
Lots of love from all aboard, Mike and co.
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