Friday 17^th January   Oranjestad,  Statia (St Eustatia) Position 17:28.82N 062:59.32W

Cleared out of Nevis first thing in the morning, having returned the rental car (girl in the petrol station seemed surprised that it only took a couple of gallons to “fill her up”, but on an island only about 10 miles across it’s actually difficult to use too much!)  Clearing through Immigration took a while, partially because a cruise ship had arrived and a boat load of immigration officers had gone to meet it, but more because there had been afire the previous night that had destroyed the Treasury, Customs and Excise, the VAT office and the Inland Revenue.

We eventually cast off at 10.10, and arrived at Oranjestat, the port, and only town, of Statia at 15.55. quich swim off the back of the boat, ate on board and then early to bed.  The harbour was charming, seemed well protected, but a significant irregular swell was rolling in from the beam making life on board quite uncomfortable.

Following morning we cleared in (after two abortive visits, the port office eventually phoned Immigration, asnd they sent someone from the airport).

Statia is even smaller than Nevis (about 6 miles from end to end) but quite charming. Unfortunately the Museum, Fort, Library, Tourist Information were all shut;  dominant religion is 7^th Day Adventist so close on Saturday.  Rounded off the day with another swim off the boat, then dinner at a waterside restaurant, where the food was great, but the service somewhat quirky.