Marsh Harbour Marina

 May 6, 7, and 8-2014, Tuesday through Thursday: Our part arrived via FedEx yesterday afternoon about 15:00. When Basil, our mechanic, went to pick up the part on Tuesday morning, Customs said we still owed $1500 duty for the part. Basil was in discussions with Customs for the rest of Tuesday and most of the day on Wednesday trying to straighten it out because there is not supposed to be any duty charges on boat parts. Finally by 16:00, Customs released the part. 

Wednesday is Rib Night here at the marina, so after thinking about it we decided to go again. Keith thought it would be good for me to get away from our boat problem for a while. He was right. We ran into our friend, Les Lathrop, former dock master from Treasure Island Yacht Club, in Treasure Island, FL. We spent 6 weeks with Les in December 2010 and January 2011 while doing the Loop . He has property here on Great Abaco Island and is staying at the marina for a day or so with his son and daughter. Les is retired now and working on finishing his sail boat, his pride and joy. It was really great to see him. Retirement looks good on him and he is enjoying it.

About noon on Thursday, Basil, finally got here with our part and is in the process of putting it in and he thinks he will finish up today. Our revised plan now is to leave early tomorrow morning. Keep your fingers crossed and we will keep you posted. After posting this blog we will be without Internet until we get back to the states.

5-7-2014:  Sunrise at Marsh Harbour Marina

5-7-2014: Rib Night at Marsh Harbour Marina, Keith, Bobbie, and our friend Les

5-7-2014: Les with his son and daughter, at Rib night

5-7-2014: Entertainment again, Jason playing the saw and screwdriver

5-7-2014: It is always exciting watching Desmond doing the limbo and lighting his cigarette while going under a lighted limbo pole.

May 1 through 5, 2014, still at Marsh Harbour Marina

5-1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 -2014, Thursday through Monday: We are still waiting on our part.  First we were told it was sent Fed Ex overnight last Wednesday the 30th but it was not.  The excuse was that all the parts did not come into Fort Lauderdale and they are waiting on those parts.  The latest now is everything was sent by Fed Ex at 16:00 Friday the 3rd.  Fed Ex doesn’t deliver on weekends so our part should be here on Monday sometime.  I still haven’t been able to get a tracking number from anyone so I do not have a lot of faith that it will be here on Monday.

In the meantime, the marina had to move us again.  The 100 footer needed more room and the marina needed to sell some fuel.  Everyone thought we would be gone by the weekend, including us.  It was a very windy day and the wind was pushing us into the dock.  Jason towed our bow with the dinghy, there were about 6 or 7 guys on the dock pushing our boat out, plus 3 guys on the stern of the 100 footer ready in case we ran into their back end.  Keith used our starboard engine and bow thruster and we barley got away from the dock with about 4 inches to spare before hitting something.  Due to the wind and with only one engine, it was also challenging to put our boat in the new slip but Keith did a great job.  We are more protected here and away from all the commotion on the fuel dock.  The marina owners have worked with us through this whole ordeal and we would like to thank them for everything they have done.  Last Saturday we went to Steak night thinking it would be our last time but we went again tonight, hopefully for the last time for real!  It rained most of Saturday night and during the day on Sunday.  Didn’t do much of anything.

5-5-2014: Well, it is Monday and guess what?  No part.  It is still in Fort Lauderdale and they would not send it until they talked to Keith personally.  So, Keith made the call; they wanted more money.    Jermain, from Marine Gear and Power in Fort Lauderdale, promised he would bring it to Fed Ex himself.  Later this morning I did receive an email with a tracking number so now we wait.  The dinghy is cleaned and up on top and as soon as our part gets here and put back into the boat we are heading back to the US.  The sooner the better.

CO’s comments: The CO has no comment at this time.