USA, Key West - Guatemala, Rio Dulce

Our trip was slow and uneventful, despite the stress of Hurricane Beryl strengthening and whose path we would have to cross.

The Gulf Stream current played havoc with us and dogged us with 3-4 knots against us from Key West to the West end of Cuba. Two days of very slow sailing.

A Tanker who was on a Collision Course with us, crossing in front of us within a mile. Our new VHF/AIS aerial sees AIS Targets at a 25 mile range, and so we were well aware of the impending situation. The Tanker communicated with us on VHF to arrange passing, and we agreed to change our course to avoid a collision and pass behind them.

This is the Gulf Current which we had to contend with. Thanks Duane for the photo.

Then we had to cross the Gulf Stream again to the Mexico coastline, this time with the winds East we were able to head more SW across the Gulf Stream and close the Mexico coast south of Isla Cozumel which kept us out of the stronger current near Ilsa Mejures, which we had to contend with on the same trip last year when we had strong SE winds and could not head as south as we could now.

Thereafter we sailed south within 1-2 miles off the Mexican coastal reefs to keep out of the north setting Gulf Current, but the current and east winds created swells big enough to make sailing uncomfortable.

Nicholas studying the Chart and Instruments

Crossing from West Cuba to Mexico, lots of ships can be seen on AIS. We’re the white boat in the center.

Once we entered Belize waters, we were able to enter their Barrier Reef at the English Cay Channel, and were then completely out of current with flat waters. It was champagne sailing with Meshugga doing 9-10 knots. With a night ahead of us and the usual possibility of squalls we put in two reefs, slowed the boat, and settled again into our Night Time Watch System of Nicholas staying up to 2am, and me getting some sleep, and then I take over at 2am til Nicholas wakes up, usually at 7am.

Sailing in the shelter of Turneef Islands towards English Cay Channel to enter the Belize Barrier Reef

We had about 6 Boobies flying around Meshugga for a couple of hours. Meshugga disturbs the fish, and they swoop down to our bow wave to dive and catch fish

The slower night speed meant we missed the High Tide for the Rio Dulce river bar, but we decided we’d try enter anyway, as we had a Track from our last exit, which was a published Track that a Cruiser had posted after depth sounding the bar. If we got stuck, we’d have to sit and wait for the next High Tide.

We crossed 4 hours after High Tide, and at a very low speed, with all sails down to motor and control our course exactly as the route included a dogleg. We touched briefly in soft sand and could feel the keels dragging through the mud, but we had no problem getting over the hard rock bar.

Our route over the River Bar, you can see the Dog Leg we have to make to avoid a very shallow patch, and the Track is no where near the Navionics Chart recommended Track!

Safely anchored in the Livingston anchorage area, a Ferry Boat approached us with the Officials and Agent Raul to whom we’d sent all our documents to arrange Inward Clearance on our behalf. Ten minutes later they departed with our passports, with an instruction to go collect our passports, Cruising Permit and make payment at Rauls’ office in an hours time.

I put the Boom cover on, had a shower, and we went ashore. Livingston has a reputation for petty thievery, and so we paid the Dinghy Guard to watch our dinghy at the Jetty. Not needing anything urgent, we made a quick trip to Rauls’ office.

Livingston Main Jetty

Agent Rauls’ Servamar Office

Back at Meshugga, it was Low Tide and the right time for us to head up-river, and under the dreaded Power Lines again. Having done it four times before, I was not so stressed as previous occasions, and we passed under safely, even noting that the river was fairly high as they’ve had a lot of rain in the recent weeks.

Ten miles upriver we anchored at Quemado, and had an early dinner and early night to sleep. A celebratory Arrival Dinner and Beer at a Restaurant could wait for the next day.

Our anchorage at Quemado.

The trip took us 5 days.

During our Trip Hurricane Beryl has slammed into Carriocou, Grenada, Union and Mayreau Islands in the Grenadines, Jamaica, Cayman Islands as a Category 5 Hurricane with 155 knot winds, and enroute to slam into Mexico just south of Isla Cozumel as a Category 2 Hurricane with 110 knot winds. Whilst of concern, our Trip was planned and we were in no danger at all, even though our Trip was taking us across Beryls path a couple of days ahead of her reaching the area.

Our route

A couple of photos of damages caused on Carriocou Island, just north of Grenada

During the Trip, I celebrated my 60th Birthday. Thank you to everyone who sent messages. It was wonderful, when getting Comms, to receive them all.

USA - Key West - Time to Leave the USA

It’s been just over 4 months since we arrived in Key West from Guatemala. Most of our time has been spent in Key Biscayne, Miami where we have been anchored in the idyllic harbor called No Name Harbor. 

Just a short cycle ride to the village for all our daily needs, and we took out a UPS box so were able to get get hundreds of packages from Amazon and Other Suppliers for stocking up Meshugga with Spares and Parts Nicholas required for immediate use, as well as for in the months ahead.

Stunning sunsets in No Name Harbor

Our Domestic Fridge Freezer decided to die, and so we ordered the same Liebherr , just newer model, to fit into the exact same area. Here we are alongside at No Name Harbor, and the delivery chaps have delivered the new and taken the old away. We are using a Halyard to hoist the unit aboard.

Inside, and unpacked. It took a day to maneuver the unit down the stairs on Port, and fit with water piping for the ice maker, and wood front doors

Another stunning sunset after a busy day

I caught the bus and Metro train to the airport to hire a vehicle for a few days. Not a bad way to travel. Took 45 minutes and cost $5, whereas an Uber would take 40 minutes and cost $40.

Hertz counter at the Miami Airport Car Hire station.

We spent 3 days shopping up a storm of victuals at Costco, Walmart, Home Depot etc

And even a new Chest Freezer for our Flybridge. Our existing although working fine is beginning to rust, and we don’t think it’ll last the expected 3 years in French Polynesia.

Many huge slabs of meat, this one is of Rib Eye, ready to cut into steaks, and vacuum pack into portions.

Next on our list was to get our Covid Boosters. I think this is our 6th Booster. We are now 100% up to date.

I went into Miami on a shopping trip to the Biscayne Mall and found energetic locals working out.

Nicholas generously gifted me a New iPad for my upcoming birthday, and as we’d not be near an Apple Store at the time, and probably have left USA by then, I ordered and went to the Apple Store to collect my loot.

Could not resist a little other shopping!

 

View from Biscayne Mall into Miami

Not all sunshine in Miami, and we had a few days of heavy downpours when a weather system in north Florida dumped huge rain and caused flooding.

Hurricane Season officially starts 1 June, and we decided to stay longer in Miami, as my British Citizenship Application had been Approved, and I was waiting for my Ceremony Date which I’d arranged to attend at the UK Consulate in Miami. I eventually got the notification date for the 18th, a little later than we’d hoped, but still doable.

On the day, we Ubered to the UK Consulate and I and 5 other Applicants received our Citizenship Certificates.

Back at No Name Harbor, Boaters Grill, and our dinghy at the Dinghy Dock

One of the hundreds of Iguanas that live in the Park and sun themselves

The Cleat Bar…

 Meshugga

Back at Meshugga, we immediately upped anchor and motored across the bay to Matheson Marina to fill up with Diesel and Petrol, and started our journey south to Key West motoring inside Biscayne Bay to Elliot Key Cut to exit to the sea.

Within 10 miles, I noticed that my new iPad GPS was not working, and my Location GPS said my new iPad was still sitting in No Name Harbor. I hauled out my Old IPad, fired that up, and it happily showed me sailing south down Biscayne Bay. 

After 6 hours on the phone to Apple Support, and numerous Resets etc, they said I’d need to return the iPad to a store. Googling I found there were no Apple Stores in Key West, so next morning we turned Meshugga around and headed back to Miami, a 4 hour sail. An Uber later, at Apple, they were most helpful and happily gave me a new iPad. This time I was taking no chances, and sat in the Apple Store, setting up the device, and then going for a walk around 2 blocks to ensure that the Location Device and GPS (essential for our Navigation Charts - as a back up), was working perfectly.

Back at Meshugga, we then set off again to Key West, an uneventful sail, with a couple of hours motor sailing in the early hours when the wind died.

Sailing into Key West is the obligatory Cruise Liner docked

We anchored in the Man O War mooring field. 

I had been in contact with a fellow Cruiser, who was in Rio Dulce, and they needed a package transported from Miami to Rio Dulce. We’d undertaken to help, but their package was delayed ( I think), and we left Miami before it was ready to be delivered to us. They organised for it to be couriered to Key West, and we met the driver at Key West Yacht Club.

Boat Parts for a fellow Cruiser.

Key West is hot, humid and windless. 

We’ve been waiting for the wind to set in, which will only really be tomorrow, Saturday, but we’ve decide to check out of Customs today, Friday and leave.

There’s a heavy weather system off Cancun Mexico,  ( the Yellow X), which will go over Cancun area on Saturday and so we’d like to get to that area only by Sunday late, to ensure the seas have calmed and winds gone favorable again in that area. Then there’s two system brewing in the Atlantic off Cape Verde, the Red one is scheduled to curve up in the West Caribbean Sea, and possible slam into Belize ( which is immediately north of Guatemala). But that will be Friday next week, by which time we’ll be into Guatemala’s Rio Dulce and safe.

The Yellow system off Cape Verde is new today, and no idea yet where it will go. But it’s far away enough to not impact on our trip.

We dingied to Key West yacht Club and Ubered to CBP (Customs Border Patrol) to get a Zarpe (Yacht Customs exit document). Then onto Winn Dixie (Supermarket), to get a stock up of some fresh produce and bread rolls for the start of our trip.

Back at Meshugga, you can see from my Pano that the Man O War anchorage is pretty much empty.

Motor Sailing out of Key West, again the obligatory Cruise Ship. This time a Virgin Cruise Liner.

So, sorry about the long wait for this News Blog update.

Cheers, will Blog again from Guatemala Rio Dulce.

USA - No Name Harbor, KeyBiscayne, Miami. PV T-bones Meshugga

The last few weeks have been quiet, Working on Meshugga, shopping, laundry, cleaning. Normal boat stuff. Very serene. Until……

Easter Sunday, and what a hectic day!

First off, is the fabulous news that our son Kieran, received his USA Citizenship, and we are keen to apply via Family Sponsorship to hopeful get a Green Card via his Sponsorship.

Never one to simplify things, we also reached out to Connor, Nicholas’ younger son (36) who lives in London, and Nicholas’s ex-wife, Michele who lives in Cape Town, South Africa, and with whom I have a great Family relationship with, to find out whether they want to apply as well.

I found out that each application for Sponsorship costs $535, and is increasing to $710 on Easter Monday 1 April. So to save approx $800 (for the 4 of us) it was a rush to get all the Sponsorship document applications submitted.

As I’m know as Admin in the Family, it’s obviously up to me to do the Applications, and send to our son Kieran for verification and signature, as he would be the one Sponsoring all of us.

Lots of chats, and mails, to get the odd bit of info or documents I did not already have, and I submitted 4 Applications. I have a huge pile of printed documents of Instructions, etc on how to complete a multiply page application. About a 4” stack!!! Headache material!

Eventually around 5pm, I’d done all and paid all the fees. YAY!

I’d put the Easter Sunday Lamb roast on in the morning, for a long slow roast to be ready for dinner. No Photo of a Lamb Roast, but it was Superb, with roasted carrots, roasted parsnip, peas, roast potatoes and gravy.

However, whilst chilling and scrolling through miscellaneous stuff on FB, before dinner, we suddenly heard a GREAT crash and looked up to see a boat right outside our Starboard window. Both Nicholas and I rushed out.

Some A***hole on a large powerboat T-boned us on our forward Starboard Bulkhead.

We jumped into the dinghy before they could leave and got various contact details (Drivers Licence),  and took photographs, but not being too savvy, we did not get immediately get their insurance details, but did ask for it, which they promised to send….

We contacted the Miami Water Police telephonically and they were helpful.

The power boat owner/operator was cooperative to, sending us his Insurance details and Marina Berth info, so we can claim on his Insurance as 3rd Party Insurance Cover.

The next week was a whirlwind of Reporting the Accident to Florida Fish and Game Department, (on the instruction from the Miami Water Police), and for them to come to us, per boat, to take our Statements, and then the laborious process of trying to get Quotes for the Damages. 

Here in Miami, all Work Docks are up the Miami River, which has Fixed Bridges at 75 foot, and Meshugga's Mast is 120 Foot!

We’re also having to deal with the Owner of the Power Vessels Insurance Assessors, and with every email they request more and more documents and information. Late this week they sent their Surveyor to do an independent Survey of the damage. Luckily I’ve took numerous photos, and photocopies/printouts of everything, as well as securing the details of independent witness on nearby yachts, and receiving a video taken by a witness of the incident.

Hopefully the quotes will be the last information they need to process the claim, but I doubt it.

Contractors are now looking for Work Docks in Fort Lauderdale, so that they can get costs for our quotes.

I’m chomping at the bit, as it’s now 2 weeks since the incident, and we still have no quotes for repair, and Hurricane Season is around the corner.

They say Bad Luck comes in Three’s;

-    We had Nicholas’s halyard break when he was up the mast,

-    We had a Lightning Blast destroying all our instruments,

-    And now we were T-boned by a Power Vessel, whilst at anchor.

I think we should be good now!

Otherwise, Nicholas is getting to the end of all the new electrical cables he has to replace due to the Lightening Blast, numerous lockers have been unpacked to pull wires around the boat, and we’ve been using extension cords and multi adapters to power appliances whilst sockets are rewired.

Other than that, on a more positive and pleasant note, we have schools of fish in the anchorage with dolphins chasing them

And awesome sunsets