little resumee for english talking friends
I moved from Moorea (where I spend the 20 last years) to the States last September to realise what was growing inside of me since about two years : buying a used sailboat !
I finally find the right one in Seattle ( october ), C&C 37+, not over equiped, but there was most of what I needed, and we find the right price for her with the owner.
I moved then to Paris to visit my family, during the time papers were done to change registration.
When I came back, end of december, my boat was still not french registred, mostly because it was built out of EC (europe) and the original Canadian boat builder became American ! I could not guet any acceptable certificat . We finish to find an agreement : my boat will be a racing boat (she used to be). But it took a lot of time, and I can't imagine doing this before internet !
Anyway I had busy days preparing the boat and provisionning !
The 10/ 03, I received a mail from fr customs saying my papers leave their office for next floor (affaires maritimes, allow you to navigate) and will be posted at the end of the week (13/03) ; I gave them a direction (adress of marina) in port townsend ; the weather being nice, I sailed a great day to this little pretty town, taking me close to the way out.
Nothing the first week, so I asked a friend in france to call and talk them on monday : office is close from the 23 to the end of the month !
I started going to the post office every day, the end of the week was coming, I realise my visa expires on the 26/03 (entrance from France 28/12) and I went to see the coas guards, right next on the pier, we were the 26, and I wanted to guet a few more days, sure the papers will be there tomorrow : 2 weeks ! I phone the number the Coast G gave me in port townsend, but guet an answering machine, and even if I can speak, and write, with dictionnary sometime, these telephone machines ... makes my brain like the people who have strabism convergent eyes : I miss the purpose.
Friday 27 I was at 11h at the post office, like the days before : NOTHING !
Coming back to town, I had a stop to West Marine and ask the guy where I could contact someone ; he told me there was an office in Port Angeles (80m), close to the ferry for Victoria BC. I went to the bus station, It was still possible to go (15h), but not sure to come back for there is a bus change in Sequim, and they were missing schedule.
Sat 28 I took the first and only bus (09h), and the office in port Angeles open with the ferry time, 13h30 !
I try to explain my story with my massport, and the copies of bill of sail and cancell US registration, but the responsable said I had to take the ferry NOW ! Or he put me in jail and seized my boat ! I coud obtain to goback Port Townsend, at least close the boat, stop electicity, and pick up some clothes, but I had to take the ferry the next day ! And maybe impossible to come back for papers and boat.
I did so (no bus on sundays) and move to Canada.
There I discover, on the 01/04, that my french reg. papers were still on a desk, at affaires maritimes... I received them 6 days later ,
I went back to the ferry in Victoria, had to explain again my story, even if the guys seemed to know my story, but this time I had my registration with me.
Anyway, I had then to prove I can survive, show the « bank relevés » I keep on my computer... but they were from last week. I missed the morning ferry, and moove back to hotel to receive a new one on internet.
But my name was not on it !! I have this account in france since I left Moorea ; Everything is running on the net ; but I never, never pay attention that my name was nowhere . TRUE !
No possible wifi connexion at emigration office, the time was passing, the guy went with me in the street, then inside the hotel in front, still no wifi but a computer ! I move inside my account as usual but no name, and no credit card number , he could just see that I used my credit card the days before in victoria. Coming back he was talking with his chief on radio, who at the end probably said : do as you feel ! He said the ferry to wait five mn, and put the stamp for 90 days !
In port Angeles, I was the first to go out, the same officer (from last week ) was here, « bonjour », look at my passport and :
you are a lucky man !
I am back on board, looking for a good tide and weather to moove .
Last time I travel sailing was twenty years ago, arriving in french polynesia, Things have change !
Anyway, I catch the lesson 101%,
But take care : things can become very bad from one day to the next !
I am lucky ...to be with people they were doing their job the proper way : respect of the law first, but also able to understand if you are faithfull, reliable, and they must decide quick, and right, many others are waiting !
Thanks to all of you , I had really a very good stay in youre country .