So finally after delay after delay we got a call in the morning saying that they cannot find the key for the boat, where is it? I have no idea where the loading skipper left it. The phone goes about 5min later saying they found the key (in their folder for the boat - duh!) but they could not open the lock, you need to down here right away so MAF can inspect it. So we gobbled up breakfast and wend down, found that the lock had completly seized and after much forcing we actually got the key into the lock but could not turn it...good start. So borrowed a few tools off the ship and broke our way in. MAF did an inspection (if thats what you call it) they went onboard for about 5 mins and came off saying they were only interested in checking out the bagged rice and asked if we had any honey onboard, so we could have had 1000lb of cocain or firearms onboard and they wouldn't have the foggiest so good work there guys! Anyhow we watched as they unloaded 2 launches and a rust bucket fising boat around us then it was finally time to unload Dulcinea. They strapped her to the crain, took the blocks away and she was swinging in the air, they lowered her level to the lower ship walkway and we climbed aboard to get ready to start the engine. We turned the key and cranked and cranked but it would not start....shit! but after a wee prime of fuel she was away and we were stoking up the harbor and into our birth before we knew it. Big thanks to Steve and his wife who helped with dock lines in the strong winds. They came aboard and had a quick look, picked up the flare kit I had bought in the USA for them, had a quick natter and kindly took dad to the hotel to pickup our rental car. The rest of the day was spent doing washing, cleaning the boat and trying to get all the sails in, dodger, bimini, solar panels and wind gen up which was all finally done about 1am.
The Unload
So finally after delay after delay we got a call in the morning saying that they cannot find the key for the boat, where is it? I have no idea where the loading skipper left it. The phone goes about 5min later saying they found the key (in their folder for the boat - duh!) but they could not open the lock, you need to down here right away so MAF can inspect it. So we gobbled up breakfast and wend down, found that the lock had completly seized and after much forcing we actually got the key into the lock but could not turn it...good start. So borrowed a few tools off the ship and broke our way in. MAF did an inspection (if thats what you call it) they went onboard for about 5 mins and came off saying they were only interested in checking out the bagged rice and asked if we had any honey onboard, so we could have had 1000lb of cocain or firearms onboard and they wouldn't have the foggiest so good work there guys! Anyhow we watched as they unloaded 2 launches and a rust bucket fising boat around us then it was finally time to unload Dulcinea. They strapped her to the crain, took the blocks away and she was swinging in the air, they lowered her level to the lower ship walkway and we climbed aboard to get ready to start the engine. We turned the key and cranked and cranked but it would not start....shit! but after a wee prime of fuel she was away and we were stoking up the harbor and into our birth before we knew it. Big thanks to Steve and his wife who helped with dock lines in the strong winds. They came aboard and had a quick look, picked up the flare kit I had bought in the USA for them, had a quick natter and kindly took dad to the hotel to pickup our rental car. The rest of the day was spent doing washing, cleaning the boat and trying to get all the sails in, dodger, bimini, solar panels and wind gen up which was all finally done about 1am.
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