I didn't mean to imply that everyone had to stay on board. You are correct that the owner/captain is the only one to leave the boat until cleared in. The customs person came to the boat in front of us (we cleared in at Bimini). If they are not present on the dock when you arrive, the fuel dock will call and the customs people will come back from the airport or you can catch a ride there. In Bimini, the locals were all really nice and no bothered us. The fee for using Blue Water's wifi was $10 a day when we were there. The showers were nice, not fancy, but nice. By the time we got there anything would have felt good, even a garden hose!! LOL We walked around most of the island and it didn't take but a few hours. The weather wasn't the greatest. We had lots of wind while we were there, so we were happy to be at the docks for a few nights. As for Chub, no one tried to charge us for tying up. We did fuel there. Also, they had the most vicious flying black fly's., they call them "sunflies". But they are mean!! The locals were really nice, we were invited to join the local pool tournament they were having. But the tournaments were after dark, so we would have had to dinghy over at night. We never had anyone beg, but many did try to sell us very small lobsters. Don't get caught with lobsters that are under the length. You will spend a LOT of money getting out of that and rumor has it you could lose your boat!! We have talked about this many times since last winter and have decided that we will NOT go back to Bimini to clear in, Chub or somewhere farther south. The customs were just not friendly enough and lied to us about what our options were. We were told any police officer could extend our stay, but that they could not change it after they had issued our VISA's. BTW, no one can extend your stay until your time is up and then it has to be customs people only! I hope this clears everything up. -Anita (Not quite full-time cruisers, but working on it!)
_Why Knot IP 37-33_ (http://hometown.aol.com/__121b_vBzMy6ChWt8p7pNzRzPJTzAXJXASh5Ur) You can't direct the wind, but you can adjust your sails ... _Ipphotos.com/_ (http://www.islandpacketphotos.com/view_user_ads.asp?User_ID=279&Ad_ID=808) <--> New Photos 7/23/08 In a message dated 12/7/2008 8:38:34 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hi - Chub Key charges you a minimum $100, which you can put against your dockage. Not a chance in hell will I ever pay that kind of dockage for a 34 foot boat and NOT for the 'privilege' of checking in. My experience in Bimini last winter was not at all similar to yours, starting with my docking at the town pier. Susan stayed on the boat while I walked around the building to Immigration and Customs. I arrived while the immigration folk were at lunch - so I went back to the boat and hung out for a half hour, until they returned. They were hugely polite, gave me 60 days after I said I would be there for about six weeks and I'm certain that, had I asked, they would have granted 90. No one came to my boat, they simply took me at my word - plus they posed for a photo with me at the entrance to the office with the sign above us! It sounds like you're saying that you must stay on board until contacted - that isn't quite true - the Captain or owner may leave the boat to go to Immigration and customs, but no one else. We found the locals to be nice people, although some of course were a bit of a nuisance - begging, etc. but that has happened to me in Elizabeth City, when a homeless guy took my lines and wanted money for it - and another came to my table in a restaurant, begging money. We did do a couple of nights at the Blue Water, but mostly anchored out - however, because we had made use of their facility, they had no problem with us tieing up the dinghy there, or using their shower. The cost was $30 tho, not $15, but worth it for what we got. Wifi is no longer free at the Big Game resort, but the place beside Blue Water was - BW had a small charge, don't remember what it was. The most troubling thing about Bimini? That the locals were selling lobster well under legal size - thus depleting the stock in the long run. Most interesting, besides the house built of items thrown away (and its owner) was the white sargeant of police, Michael, who hailed from....Toronto. Wally s/v Gypsy Wind still in Solomons, still with near gale force winds, still planning on getting out of here in the morning.... We checked in at Bimini and if you can avoid going there I would suggest that. ____________________________________ Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. _Go to Yahoo! Answers._ (http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/) **************Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and favorite sites in one place. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000010)
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