My 5:00 AM shift began with the calm seas we are enjoying and a slightly cooler air temperature too. Nice!!
Today you can see Cuba off to the distance. It is amazing how close Cuba and the USA really are. From Havana to Key West is only 90 n.m. At one point we passed a great red and white light house. Charlene, you would have loved it!!
After begging for one last swim before turning to cross the heavily traveled shipping lanes, Dan stopped and turned off the engines for a quick dip in the beautiful waters. The waters are cooler now but refreshing.
ROBERT SWIMMING OF CUBA
Shortly after we resumed our journey, Dan discovered that we were losing 12 volt power and began researching the problem. When he could find no obvious reason for this problem he began calling the Coast Guard on the radio. When the US Coast Guard responded we explained our situation and the fact that we would soon be without radar, GPS and radio communications. As our radio faded we were still waiting for definite directions. We hauled our hand held and gave that a try but no avail. Our next step was to try to reach the Cuban Coast Guard and request permission to enter Hemingway Marina but we were not able to contact them either. With much angst we made our way through the well marked, narrow channel and into the marina area. The customs and Immigration office are right there and they were motioning us to turn around. Now what? Thankfully Robert was able to communicate with them and we were directed to the clearance dock where we were assisted in docking and boarded by MANY officials.
HARBOR MASTOR AND CUSTOMS BUILDING
HEMINGWAY MARINA, CUBA
The first person to board the Quest was the health official. He came onboard with a face mask and gloves, began questioning us about the health of all on the Quest, inspected the boat, asked to see our first aid kit and sprayed the drains for possible mosquitoes. He pronounced us “Fit” and exited for the next official. One after another, they boarded the Quest. Questions, answers and paperwork! (Sound familiar?) We were instructed not to use our VHF radio and they even taped up our little handheld. Once cleared,we proceeded to our assigned docking are and tied up for the night.
HAND HELD RADIO
BOYS "TAKING IT ALL IN"
By now everyone was hot and exhausted from the long run, tension from the electrical failure and the stress of entering the totally “foreign” country. A well stocked boat is a good thing!
QUEST DOCKED AT HEMINGWAY MARINA
Tomorrow we will begin the process of finding and (hopefully) fixing the problem but for now the engine compartment is way too hot to enter and we are all in need of a good nights sleep.
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