04/21/2006 - Isla Providencia, Colombia
We arrived here at Isla Providencia, Colombia on Tuesday, after a 50 hour sail from Isla Linton, Panama. Approximate distance, 240 nautical miles. It was a perfect sail! We left Isla Linton on Easter Sunday and only had to turn the motor on for a few hours of the trip. We had steady wind and flat seas the entire way. We averaged an easy 5-7 knots and were sailing at night under the light of a waning full moon. We have just chipped away at one-third of the miles between us and Belize, our dream destination. We plan to be here for one week or so before heading out again.
Only 20 miles into the trip, we had a surprise visit by the US Coast Guard. We were first alerted to their presence by the sudden approach of their orange and white helicopter which descended and circled the Woodduck. After taking some pictures the helicopter scooted off to return to their nearby cutter. Ten minutes later they hailed us on the radio and said they were preparing to board us for a routine safety inspection. Half an hour later a crew of six arrived in their inflatable and with instructions for us to maintain our speed they transferred four of their crew on board the Woodduck. After a thorough but quick inspection, we were handed a yellow form showing that we had passed the inspection with flying colors. Next we were presented with a very unexpected kind gesture. They handed us two turkey dinners that were leftover from their Easter meal. Not just any turkey dinner, but turkey and ham and mashed potatoes with gravy and garlic and sweet potatoes and corn onthe cob and a huge bag of easter candy!!! We could barley wait for the coast guard to depart the boat before we dove into the still warm dinners! It was an unexpected highlight in the trip! The real purpose of the so-called inspection was the goal of apprehending would be drug trafficking on the international waters. We had heard beforehand to expect this so it was no stress off our back and the easter dinner was a bonus!
Hope everybody is doing well and that you had a Happy Easter too! Adios, Cathy
Only 20 miles into the trip, we had a surprise visit by the US Coast Guard. We were first alerted to their presence by the sudden approach of their orange and white helicopter which descended and circled the Woodduck. After taking some pictures the helicopter scooted off to return to their nearby cutter. Ten minutes later they hailed us on the radio and said they were preparing to board us for a routine safety inspection. Half an hour later a crew of six arrived in their inflatable and with instructions for us to maintain our speed they transferred four of their crew on board the Woodduck. After a thorough but quick inspection, we were handed a yellow form showing that we had passed the inspection with flying colors. Next we were presented with a very unexpected kind gesture. They handed us two turkey dinners that were leftover from their Easter meal. Not just any turkey dinner, but turkey and ham and mashed potatoes with gravy and garlic and sweet potatoes and corn onthe cob and a huge bag of easter candy!!! We could barley wait for the coast guard to depart the boat before we dove into the still warm dinners! It was an unexpected highlight in the trip! The real purpose of the so-called inspection was the goal of apprehending would be drug trafficking on the international waters. We had heard beforehand to expect this so it was no stress off our back and the easter dinner was a bonus!
Hope everybody is doing well and that you had a Happy Easter too! Adios, Cathy
2 Comments:
What a great logo Jocko!! Carry on.
Mom
What a great logo Jocko!! Carry on.
Mom
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