Daybreak
After some work on the computer I got the dinghy into the water and prepared the outboard for mounting. With my weak hand I decided to get some help this time around and called Mark and Marjorie on the VHF to ask for their assistance. They came by and helped me, but they had left before I noticed the next problem.
It turns out that my fuel line had hardened and couldn’t be bent, I managed to rip it but after some work with a knife, pliers and duct tape I managed to get it repaired sufficiently so that I would make it to both customs and Island Waterworld.
Noon
After the customs lunch break I headed ashore to clear in. The immigration and customs went quickly as there was only one boat ahead of me, but the cashier’s office remained closed for another half hour. Once I’d paid I was free to go ashore and I dinghied across (carefully) to get a new fuel line and other items at Island Waterworld. From there I headed to Port de Plaisance
Heineken Regatta Volunteer Meeting
The meeting for the volunteers took place at the PdP marina and the organizers and race officers got us all together for our briefing. I’m on committee boat “A” and will do whatever tasks need doing during the races, and have to enter the finish times in the computer so that they can be published in as close to real time as possible.
Evening
I went to the SMYC after the meeting and met with Neil, an old friend, and Huda, one of the other volunteers on our committee boat. We chose to walk up the street to the Tap & Still for a burger.
We had too much to eat and drink. Neil had planned on staying with another mutual friend, Ross. But Ross had come down with a nasty case of the flu, so I offered a spare cabin to Neil for the night and we returned to the boat.