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Old 15-08-2014, 12:44   #1
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pirate Don't you just love Customs...

So.. here I am sitting in this lovely little port called Aber Wrac'h in Brittany.. not an intended stop on the delivery by the way.. just an invitaton by French Customs yesterday as we pased 13 miles of the coast after clearing Ushant..
We left Marseilles on the 26th July and made good time round to Portugal where we pulled in for a couple of nights so the owner could have a break and I could take the laundry home and get it washed.. the intention was to then do a non stop to Chatam, Kent where the boats new home will be however.. the best laid plans of Mice and Men...
We got tugged and ordered into port where they then proceeded to tear the boat apart after sending in the dogs.. a diver to search the hull (he kindly agreed to check the anodes while down there.. all good)..
5 hours they spent on it.. like being back in Darwin.. just a lot colder as they did not finish till near midnight and we could not leave the cockpit.. I said we needed food so was allowed to walk to the nearest bar for sandwiches and beer.. with a 2 man escort.. WTF..
The only drugs found were Senna.. Ginseng and Paracetamol.. the owner being a helpful Aussie said.. "If you tell me what your looking for maybe I can help..!!!"
The Customs guys looks at him and says.. "Drugs.." I curled up in the cockpit with a fit of the giggles.
But.. in a way it was a good thing.. I've stitched up the tear in the Genoa we got in the Biscay.. so it can now be used full instead of just 1/3rd.. and I've found a new and lovely little port to visit.. and the owners chuffed to bits beause the guys put eveything back tidier than it was when he'd stacked the stuff in there..
And... for those who may be interested.. Garcia 45's rock...
Sail for Chatham tomorrow and with a bit of luck it'll be another 'Job Done' come Wednesday and back home to warm weather coz its bludi cold this far North..
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Old 15-08-2014, 12:47   #2
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Re: Don't you just love Customs...

Fun, wow! And what the heck are 'Garcia 45's'?
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Old 15-08-2014, 12:51   #3
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Re: Don't you just love Customs...

Great stuff Phil, 35 degrees in Foz tomorrow (we'll be sailing past from Porto to cascais)
bon voyage
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Old 15-08-2014, 13:03   #4
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Re: Don't you just love Customs...

How is 13 miles of the coast territorial waters? Or is the boat flagged French?

Just wondering about the jurisdictional reason they could "invite" you to their party.
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Old 15-08-2014, 13:03   #5
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Re: Don't you just love Customs...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Star View Post
Fun, wow! And what the heck are 'Garcia 45's'?

Garcia is a yacht yard. They built veeeeeeeeeeeery good boats in aluminium

http://www.garcia-yachting.com/

Cheers,

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Old 15-08-2014, 13:09   #6
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Re: Don't you just love Customs...

Sounds like just another chapter in a natural story tellers life Boaty...you sure do have some wonderful adventures and you tell a fine story about them!
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Old 15-08-2014, 13:33   #7
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Re: Don't you just love Customs...

Garcias are always reliable


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Old 15-08-2014, 13:37   #8
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Re: Don't you just love Customs...

They put stuff back?
Only run in I've ever had, CBP in the US tore everything apart dumping it in a large pile in the middle of the floor and left.
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Old 15-08-2014, 13:41   #9
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Re: Don't you just love Customs...

Always enjoy reading your stories from abroad
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Old 15-08-2014, 14:12   #10
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Re: Don't you just love Customs...

Boatie,

Maybe there was something about the trip plan that alerted Customs. Not your personal profile, of course, but something about the yacht's history......

And good on 'em for putting everything back!

Cheers, and happy sailing,

Ann
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Old 15-08-2014, 14:33   #11
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Re: Don't you just love Customs...

you should have been using your SPOT then they would never have found you.....
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Old 15-08-2014, 14:37   #12
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Re: Don't you just love Customs...

Quote:
Originally Posted by boatman61 View Post
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3]..........
The only drugs found were Senna.. Ginseng and Paracetamol.. the owner being a helpful Aussie said.. "If you tell me what your looking for maybe I can help..!!!"
The Customs guys looks at him and says.. "Drugs.." I curled up in the cockpit with a fit of the giggles....................
Given up the ciggies and booze eh Boatie
.
.
.
.
.
.
Glad it worked out well - tidy boat, good anodes, repaired sail and a great story to add to the Delivery Skippers Lore.
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Old 15-08-2014, 14:38   #13
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Don't you just love Customs...

Had the same thing happen to be off Brest a few years back. It was very late in the season for a biscay crossing ,( November) which I suspect triggered the interdiction. They first flew a spotter place to identify us.

Dave


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Old 15-08-2014, 16:08   #14
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Re: Don't you just love Customs...

Phil, ya gotta stop flipping the bird to all the "official" boats that pass you by. Despite the uniforms, those guys are real human beings, almost like a sailor, and their little feelings get hurt when you make obscene gestures towards them. Perhaps you could take a hint from Monty Python and "fart in their general direction" in order to express your feelings. If done at a typical distance, they may not notice, and then not persecute you.

But really, sounds like it came out ok for your and the owner.

Cheers,

Jim
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Old 15-08-2014, 16:32   #15
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Re: Don't you just love Customs...

Makes one appreciate boating in-home (as in Carquinez Strait) waters. (Photo taken from the subsequently burned Martinez pier, with Benicia, first incorporated city in California as well as state capitol, in background.)

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