The Voyages of Seadog #2

1971

I have my "Cher" motor sailor and I am still working at the airlines and have my girlfriend Patsy.Well! Here it comes again! A call from Michael. "Want to make another trip?" "What do you have in mind?" "When can I come down?" "Any time!" "Okay!" "I will be there on Friday".

It has been months since Columbia, and I really want to increase my bank account. I have really been conservative with the money I made. The money I have spent so far is the new car for my girlfriend and a little extra money for my ex-wife for my two boys.

Michael shows up on Friday and we go out to dinner. I have a Cuban restaurant in Miami that is now famous, called La Calle Ocho. After having their La Paella Stew, a seafood bouillabaisse. It is a mixture of clams, shrimp, fish and a variety of other condiments that will make your mouth water.

After dinner, he says, "I have a new connection in Jamaica". "If you are interested?". You and I can split the profits. "How much I asked?". "Probably, 75,000 maybe 100,000 each". "How much weight?". "3 to 4000 pounds". "When do you want to do this?" "Three weeks and I'll pay all expenses!" "Why, I ask?" "Because I owe this person a favor for a load that I lost". "Tell me more, before I make an offer". "His son was killed in a highway accident on his way to help me with a different offload". "I lost the load in the Bahamas by the Bahamian defense force. It was confiscated. I guess the police lost their evidence?" The crew was let go, the crews fine paid and went back to the states. "Corruption, I guess is everywhere". "Thankfully! no charges were filed in the US!".
"Cost me a lot of money and aggravation, but it turned out okay". "This new trip should be pretty quick. You can go to Ocho Rios, Jamaica now that they have customs and immigration for checking in. Plus when you check out it is a short distance to the offload".

So here I go again, getting together supplies and crew. Really loaded up this time, two cases of Johnny Walker, the customs and immigration and anyone else I could bribe. I called Mikey and Rick the crew and they were ready to go again. A vacation cruising on making money, what a life!

On this trip we decided to stop at new islands in the Bahamas that we haven't been to before. Basically a new itinerary from all the others, spice it up a bit. It is summertime, before hurricane season and we would be motoring a lot. We would also be motor sailing because of light winds in the summer. We had three weeks to travel roughly 900 mile to Jamaica.

I bought a new Loran "C" to replace the Loran "A" and had it installed on the sailboat. This new navigation device was an upgrade for Loran "A". Much more accurate and reliable. I had to buy new charts with Loran "C" coordinates overlaid on the navigation charts.

On the sailboat, I have all the amenities, refrigerator/freezer combo. We have a gas stove/oven, autopilot, diesel engine with 300 gallons of fuel. Electronics include VHF, single sideband radio, Loran "C" and the portable radio direction Finder. Survival gear includes eight-man liferaft; hard case-brand-new. We carry an overboard bag, flares and all Coast Guard required essentials.

The next couple of days the crew and myself go shopping, steaks, dry goods, can goods, and plenty of goodies.

We like to leave on a weekend because of a lot of traffic on the water, less noticed and would arrive in the Bahamas on a Sunday. Customs and immigration get paid overtime. Extra money and they love it. Plus good old Johnny Walker scotch is a great helper.

We leave Saturday for West End, Bahamas to arrive on Sunday at approximately noon. Caesar smooth with a southeasterly breeze 10 to 15 kn. Perfect motor sailing weather we had put out the sails with the engine and are cruising 6 kn.

The stereo is playing"everyman"a Jamaican band, the fishing rods are out trolling for dinner, we are on autopilot to our next adventure. With a beer in hand we are on our way.

My brother Mikey has turned into a hell of a sailor after the past couple of trips. I am still Capt. and mechanic, Rick is our deck can and chef. He can really pick some outstanding meals and we are real compatible crew.

The next morning as the sun comes up in the East, Mike spots West End, called down to me for my watch. We run three-hour watches at the helm. For three crew it means you can get six hours sleep while off the helm. There is a channel, well marked to the Marina known as Jack tar.

After tying up at the dock, I go to the dock master's office to ask him to call customs and immigration which he does. I go back to our boat, which is flying the quarantine flag a requirement for entering a foreign port. We are not allowed to leave the boat until clearing customs and immigration.

In the afternoon, after we have had lunch the customs and immigration officers arrive. I invited them aboard, show them our ships papers and our identifications. At this time you did not need a passport to enter the Bahamas if you were a US citizen.

While we're in the cabin doing paperwork Mikey puts a Johnny Walker on the table with glasses no less. Guess what? Smiles as big as a happy face. Customs got a new bottle while the immigration officer received the open bottle, almost full. We were drinking beer so the almost full was pretty full. They left happy, cash and booze. We had our six months cruising permit.

The Marina was half full with about 20 to 25 boats. Sport fishermen, sailboats and local boats. We walked the docks talking to the captain's, mates and the locals. One of the locals had his chart about it the dock and asked if we were interested in a fishing trip. "How much?" "300 for a full day for all three of you! " Mikey, Rick and I said "yes" at once. "How about 6 AM in the morning?" The captain said "we will be ready!". The captain then replied "you think maybe a Johnny Walker red could come?" Now I know why he gave us a discount "no problem" I replied

That night Rick made snacks and sandwiches, filled a cooler with beer. We took out a bottle of Johnny Walker red and we were ready to rock 'n roll. The next morning carrying the cooler, we boarded the sport fishermen and headed out the channel with Capt. E Banks and his mate Eddie. As soon as we hit Deepwater the mate put for flat lines with little worse. Then to lines with ballyhoo on down riggers to start fishing. We were ready for anything. This area is known for great fishing, the seas were flat, it was extraordinary. About one hour later, the captain on the bridge hollered to the mate, "saw Bill on port ruler". The mate scanned the spread and told us to be ready. Earlier the crew gave us a deck of cards to see who goes first, second and third. Each one of us pulled a card from the deck and high card too low card was how you took the line with a fish on it. Rick was first, Mikey was second and the sea dog was last.

All of a sudden the port lure was hit, I mean smashed, the mate told Rick to grab the rod, relax and let the fish pull on the line. As soon as the line tightened up the mate said "pull hard" and the fish was hooked. The mate then frantically pulled in the other lines. After making sure everything was okay. He instructed Rick on getting the fish to the boat. This fish did not want to cooperate, he jumped, thrashed and ran line out, but Rick did perfect. After 30/40 minutes we had him beside the boat. It was a Marlin and the mate gaffed him and put him in the fish box. You had to see the look on Rick's face "the cat ate the canary" smile.

Meanwhile the mate put the flat lines back out. We rigged the ballyhoo and we waited again, trolling along. Rick went to the cooler and passed out sandwiches and beer while we waited. The captain called down and said, "I am going where tuna and dolphin are. It will be an hour or so". After he made his course change, we relax some more. Two hours later, one flatline is hit and one downrigger. Now it's Mikey and me. He took the flatline and I took the downrigger. Jesus, I can barely hold on and holler up to the captain as he slows the boat down. "I think you have a tuna". Meanwhile Mikey is cranking like crazy. He has his fish next to the boat and a short time, the make gaps in and puts them in the fish box, a beautiful bull dolphin. I have not paid much attention to Mikey as I have a ton of weight on the end of my rod. I crank in 20 feet of line in the fish takes 80 feet, a losing battle. I have been fighting this guy for at least 45 minutes and getting nowhere. Actually I think I am getting tired, by, shoulder and arms. The mate comes over and explains a technique to bring him up. Pump the rod up and reel on the way down. This is a lot better. I am finally making some headway. After another 20 minutes he is starting to get tired. I start to see him alongside the boat, but I can't tell what kind of fish. Then he takes off again, Damn, tough guy. The drag is screaming and I am screaming. All of a sudden the line goes slack. The mate yells "reel like crazy, he is coming up!" And that is exactly what I did. I have never, ever cranked a reel so hard. The fish must have decided I won, he was alongside the boat, when the mate gaffed him. He brought him in and put him in the fish box. A 28 pound bluefin tuna. "Wow!" What a fishing trip and I will never forget it.

After arriving back at the Marina, we celebrated, cleaned fish. The boys(crew) and I took 10 pounds of tuna for sushi and 3 pounds of dolphin. I tipped the captain a mate hundred bucks. I really felt good going back to our sailboat and relaxing.

The next morning, after a freshwater shower at the Marina and saying our goodbyes, we left. We untied from the dock and header for the channel to our next stop, Royal Island. Royal Island is on the north east tip of of Eleuthera island. This is my first time to this part of the Bahamas. The weather is fantastic as we head east. We are now passing the Berry islands west of us and should be at our next stop in a couple of days. The" Bahamas guide", says this used to have a mansion and plantation on it, owned by a British American family, who lived in Florida. I am going to do some exploring when I get there.

I use the "Bahamas cruising guide"extensively while in the Bahamas. It is not only a guide into out-of-the-way places, but gives details about individual islands in great detail, such as history, channels and hazards.

I am now using the guide to navigate to Royal Island. Without the book, I don't think I would've tried this without local knowledge. After navigating the shallow waters to Royal Island, we make it into the private harbor. Later on we found out it is a private property, no trespassing! We anchored in 8 feet of water, not too far from a concrete dock. Had dinner, set a watch and crash for the night.

The next morning after breakfast, we all took a swim in the harbor and relaxed. Mikey and I decided to take the dinghy to the island and explore. There was a concrete dock and a concrete road leading into the island. We follow the road to a mansion made of block and pretty large. No windows or doors left, but basically a skeleton with a tile roof. It looks like a Southern mansion from the South. Almost like out of a movie of," gone with the wind". We went inside to a large foyer and were quite surprised, because of the size. On one side, what appeared to be a game room, was a large antique pool table. The green felt was still on top and it still had the leather pockets. I wanted to come back at a later time, to dismantle it and take it home to be refurbished. I do love to shoot pool and that is another story.
After going through all the rooms we came back out front and noticed a garage next to the house. The doors were closed, but not locked. Swinging the doors open we were staring at a 1932 Ford automobile. Pretty rusty, but intact with seats, engine, and gauges. I want to take this back with the pool table in a later date. "Wishful thinking?".

We followed the road to the north side of the island past a wall about 3 feet high and 2 feet thick of coral rock. This must be part of the plantation. The island is narrow here from the harbor and shallow water on the north end. The road went East and West but was in pretty bad shape so we decided to head back to the boat for lunch.

Mikey our Rick went back on the island after lunch to explore themselves. I did my chores with engine maintenance and general overall check. Rick and Mikey came back, Rick said "after this trip, let's get the pool table and maybe the old car. "I laughed and said, "sure, great idea!".The next morning we pull anchor and headed for Spanish wells a short distance away. The main reason going to Spanish wells,when we were in Nassau a while back, one of the Bahamians we met, said "if you ever make it to Spanish wells, there is a lady that lives on the top of the hill, makes the best Bahama bread in all of the Bahamas." So that is where we are going. It is a little over 8 miles there, so we have to motor only. The water is not very deep, about 4 feet to 6 feet deep, so we visually go to Spanish wells. Approaching the channel into Spanish wells we go to the dock and tie up. The dock master meets us and we pay for overnight dockage and ask about Bahama bread. He points up the hill towards a pink and blue house, guess where we head, straight up the hill.

As we approach the house, we see a lady sitting on the porch and a rocking chair and ask her if she is the lady that makes Bahama bread? She replies, laughing and smiling, yes I make bread. The lady is quite plump and very pleasant. After we tell her why we are there, she can't believe we came all this way just for her bread. We bought six loaves and thanked her very much. Back at the boat we made the best ham and cheese sandwiches I have ever eaten. We called it a night and everyone crashed.

After a big breakfast lobster, scrambled eggs with onions, green peppers and cheddar cheese, Bahama bread, coffee of course. We left the Marina and motored to the east channel, then north to the northeast channel. After leaving the bank we turned east and set sails for San Salvador our next stop.

The winds were perfect, just sailing along in 2 to 3 foot swells, no engine, cruising along at 7 kn. San Salvador is 150 nautical miles from Spanish wells. It should take us about 20 hours at this speed. We are in the deep Atlantic and trolling for fish. It's great to be able to catch dinner once in a while.

We spot San Salvador lighthouse light just before the sun comes up. Looking at our chart we see the island has a well protected harbor and Marina and that's where we will go.

San Salvador Island, also known as "Watlings Island" and district of the Bahamas. It is wildly believed that during Christopher Columbus first expedition to the New World, San Salvador Island was the first land he cited and visited on 12 October 14 92. He named it San Salvador after Christ the Savior. Columbus records indicate that the native Lucayan habitants of the territory, called "Guanhani" were a sweet and gentle people.

The light house was built in 1886 and is on the east side of the island. After entering the harbor we tie up at the dock and check in for two days. Fresh showers and local food, including conch, rice and peas had we had the locals the civechi. It was fantastic even though a little spicy hot! Unless you have never been to the island islands, the people are more friendly and nicer than the tourist islands. They smile, or informative about their island and country. Seem to be very content with a simple lifestyle.

That night we went up to "top o hill bar" ordered drinks, shots and pool and talked to the locals. Rick is a tequila lover and over the bar there was a plaque on the wall showing who had broken the latest record on "tequila slammers". The bartender would pour a shot glass with tequila and drop the whole thing in a mug of beer. You were supposed to slam it on the bar and it foamed, then chug a lug the whole thing down at one time. The record at that time was 11. Rick did 12 and broke the record, only to regret it the next day. I thought maybe in the morning I was going to have to take him to the doctor, but he refused. "Just let me suffer and sleep". He slept all day and night and woke up the next morning, still with a hangover

Our next stop was Pitts town on crooked island about 80 nautical miles south. We left that evening to arrive the next day. Pitts town has no Marina. we arrived and anchored near shore where we have been once before. As I said we have been here before and we call it lobster city. I am not kidding, these guys get as big as 3 to 5 pounds. Fortunately we like the smaller one to 2 pounds size, because the large ones are tougher and not as tasty. This is the same place we stopped because of bad fuel from our last stop in Georgetown. At that time we had to get supplies to pump water from our diesel fuel tanks. Thankfully we don't have that problem now.

We dove and got eight nice lobsters and grilled them on the beach, just like our last trip. Beer, lobsters, Bahama bread and baked beans, what a feast. We actually grilled all the lobsters, so what was left we wrapped up for later and put in the fridge. Back on the boat we set up our three-hour what schedule, check the weather on single sideband and went to bed.

The next morning we had our usual lobster and eggs for breakfast. After cleaning up we all took a swim, the water was so clear you could look out over the drop off and see over 100 feet deep but you couldn't see the bottom, to deep, it went from blue to black.

Our next stop would be Matthew town, great Inagua. Great Inagua is the last island in the Bahama island chain. It is 125 nautical miles from where we are now anchored. Great Inagua is the third largest island in the Bahamas at 596 square miles and lies 55 miles from the eastern tip of Cuba. The population of great Inagua is 969 people. The island has one of the largest flamingo populations in the world. The Morton salt company runs a salt producing company on the island from the salt flats and is the islands main income. When you arrive from the sea the first thing you see are three mountains of salt. They look like snow-covered mountains.

We figure roughly 120 nautical miles to the island and it is going to take approximately 18 to 20 hours to arrive. We pull the anchor and motor out, then set the sails. We are pros at this by now, seasoned sailors. We are heading South at 6 to 7 kn on a beam reach and shut down the engine. We turn on our autopilot "Robbie" is what we have named our fourth sailor. He is relentless, never complains and takes all orders. We are going to be passing through Mira Por Vos Cays on our starboard and Castle island on our port 42 nautical miles south. After passing Castle island, which has a large lighthouse that can be seen for almost 40 miles at night. We set up our watch schedule and go to sleep, listening to the wind, sails and waves slapping against the hull.

The next morning we see the salt mountains on the island from quite a distance. Approaching the harbor we dropped the sails and motor into the harbor and tie up. Leon the dock master remembers us from our last trip. He asked if we needed anything and I reply, "we need to top off our fuel for our trip back home". I go into town while Mikey and Rick fuel the boat. I need to check with customs and immigration to give them my itinerary. Since this is a port of entry, it is a requirement. After showing our documents, I returned to the boat.

When I return, Leon is still there talking to Mikey having a beer and discussing our trip so far. Leon and tells me he has a 42 foot Morgan sailboat that he salvaged and would we like to see it? "Sure" so we walked back to town to the waterfront to his home. I could not believe it. Next to his house is a 42 foot Morgan sailboat on blocks with a 3 ft.square hole in the side. He proceeds to tell us it was anchored off shore near Matthew town and a terrible storm came up and blew it on shore punching the hole in its side. The owners abandoned it and flew back to the states. Leon hired a crane to pick it up from the rocky beach and put it in his yard. So now he is in the process of claiming it. It is a sloop rig with a Perkins diesel, that they pickled. This is where you flush the engine of salt water with diesel or kerosene. After flushing the engine, you then fill with new oil and run it. Then change it several times to make sure there is no moisture in the engine. You then seal the exhaust, the intake and valve cover openings. It is an effective way of saving an engine. He sent the starter and alternator to Nassau to be rebuilt. I told him good luck on his new venture.

After leaving Leon, I went to the office of Morton salt company to see the manager I knew from a previous trip to say hello. He was surprised to see me. We discussed family, my job as a welder, our trip to see the flamingos etc. he asked how long I was staying and I told him we were leaving in the morning and we said our goodbyes.

The next morning we leave the harbor headed to the West, and flying our Bahamian cruising flag. About noon out of sight and out of mind, we take down our cruising flag and put up our USA flag and head to the tip of Haiti. We are going through the Windward passage about 10 or 15 miles off the coast of Cuba we encounter a Cuban gunboat. Following us along the coast, it is a little unsettling to say the least. They stay nearby as we are sailing and I am guessing it is about the size of a PT boat. It has a large machine gun on the bow and about 8 to 10 soldiers on the boat. After 4 to 5 hours they turn and head back to Cuba. Close call!

After going through the Windward we make our turn for Jamaica and settle in for the night, during our shifts at the wheel with Robbie. Just for information, the reason we call the autopilot a name it is manufactured by Robertson autopilot company.

Heading west in the Caribbean is great. We have the wind and current going in our direction, so it's pretty comfortable cruising. On the other hand going east is tough, because then we have the current and when to sail against on our way back. We are off the north coast of Haiti heading towards our destination as the sun comes up on the horizon where we see a large object on the horizon. We assume a container ship because of its size. But after a few hours it doesn't get closer or farther away. We try to call the vessel on our VHF radio, giving them our heading, speed and that way you are a US sailing vessel. No reply!

About noon it appears closer and with binoculars to our surprise we see an aircraft carrier. This is the time of the Cuban crisis and they are on maneuvers. One after the other jets are taking off and landing like a bunch of bees. As we get a little closer to jets come off the deck approximately 50 feet off the ocean go past us on each side and are they loud screaming past us. They are lower than our mast, a little scary. Around 3 o'clock the aircraft carrier steams off and his gone in 30 minutes. Very strange encounter, good or bad omen?

The next afternoon we see our blue haze that is the coastline of Jamaica. We are not going to Port Antonio this time to check in. Ocho Rios now has cruise ships coming in and now have customs and immigration offices to check him. We are told the docking facilities are now first rate. Docks, showers, hotels, restaurants etc. we will fit right in with the tourist.

After raising our quarantine flag, we call customs on the VHF radio of our arrival. They inform us to anchor off the dock before landing, to wait for their arrival. We anchor, put out fenders and wait for their arrival. We leave a bottle of Johnny Walker scotch and Jack Daniels on the galley table along with all our documents waiting for their arrival. Three hours later a launch comes alongside and asked permission to come aboard. Permission granted, they board the boat. A customs and immigration officer. As they boarded I had an odd feeling, premonition that the customs officer was not a nice guy, by his look and attitude. I was not wrong. He said, "I am going to search your vessel for contraband". "In the meantime you will sit in the cockpit with the immigration officer to go over your papers".
While we were sitting in the cockpit doing our paperwork, I had a clear view of the customs officer starting at the bow and systematically opening every locker, Hatch and cubbyhole in the forward part of the boat. Coming out of the companionway, he says, "I am going to check the aft cabin". I open the door and he enters, as I say "help yourself sir and if you need any help let me know". We are finished with the paperwork as he emerges and he stamps our papers and is preparing to leave when I say, "would you like some refreshments or a snack?" "That would be nice" was his reply. We go down to the salon and get seated. "What would you like?" I said and he looked at the Johnny Walker and pointed. I had him was so I thought. After having a few drinks, he said we could tie up at the docks and enjoy our stay. "Check in with the dock master when you tie up".

After tying up and registering at the Marina, we went to a tiki hut bar on the beach and introduced ourselves to some of the people there. There were locals and a lot of them were tourists, from cruise ships, airports and a couple of cruisers. Talking to the locals and bartender, we were able to get a pretty good idea on an itinerary for our stay. We are planning on spending at least a week or more. We wanted to be real tourist.

In Jamaica you drive on the left side British style. The next morning we rented a car and played tourist. Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean Sea. With a land area of approximately 4300 square miles. 150 miles long and 50 miles wide. It has a population of just over 2 million people in the capital is Kingston. It is the largest English-speaking city in the Caribbean and South America. The Jamaican flag as a gold stripe, this represents sunlight and mineral wealth. Black for hardships of the past and future. Green for hope and agriculture wealth. Just a little more history before I get back to my story. The original inhabitants with the Arawaks, a tribe from the Guyanas and Venezuela who settled in Jamaica around 1000 A.D. by 1655 the entire race had been erased from the planet by the Spanish from genocide and disease.

We decided on our first day to go to Dunn's River Falls. We take towels and our bathing suits, we walk up and down the falls to the beach. I mean literally walk down the falls in the cool fresh water. It is gorgeous, jungle, waterfalls and ocean. The place is loaded with tourists, vendors selling carvings, food, beads, hats, jerk pork and chicken to all the tourists and locals. As we are about to leave we get offers to buy a spliff or a small bag of ganja. We have to tell them, no thanks. We definitely don't want any trouble. After arriving back to the Marina and our boat, we crash for a siesta.

Late that afternoon, lounging on the boat with beer(RED STRIPE), rum and snacks, Michael shows up unexpectedly. We did not think he would be here for the next couple of days. "How are you guys doing?" "Okay" we replied. "What's up?" "I am going to take you guys to dinner and discuss a slight change of plans". "Boy! The boat really looks good. How was your vacation so far?" "Fantastic is the reply".

Myself, Mikey, Rick and Michael loaded up in his rental and headed east, then up in the mountains to a restaurant\hotel overlooking the North Coast above Ocho Rios. We are introduced to the owner, his wife and staff. The meal was typical Jamaican, grilled lobster, peas and rice, yams, fruit and blue Mountain coffee. We also had Tia Maria has an after dinner drink.

After dinner we take a short path to a deck overlooking the Caribbean and Ocho Rios. What a beautiful site from where we are.
We sit down, relaxing and Michael starts in on our new plans. "First of all you guys are going to be here till next Sunday. They are packing the pot in 40 pound bundles. We are packing different than before. They are trying to eliminate the smell by using plastic and tape better. There will be about 100 bales and they will be half the size of the last load. Next Sunday, make plans to be off Boscobel at 9 PM. We will be coming out in zodiacs this time. I will bring you 60 gallons of fuel, just don't lose it this time. Any questions?". No one said a word, we have been there and done that.

The next morning after breakfast at the hotel, we decide to drive down the coast. The boat is secure and we may be gone to three days before Sunday.

After passing Dunn's River Falls heading west along the coast, the first stop is St. Ann's Bay. As we drive along the coast, we pass cars and they pass us like the Daytona 500. The roads are not that great, but they don't care. That includes buses trucks and motorcycles. We see numerous wrecks alongside the road wonder, is this real?.

Next stop is Runaway Bay, then discovery Bay but we decide to keep going west. We stop in Falmouth, where the Martha Brae River comes down from the mountains. We decide to do the rafting on bamboo rafts. We turn off A1 highway and go to the end where it empties into the Caribbean. They transport us up the river to the beginning where the adventure begins. The rafts are kind of neat. They are made of bamboo about 2 inches thick, 20 feet long and 3 feet wide. The bamboo is lashed together to make a long raft. The make seating the same way with the back and a seat. For the tourists you have a cushion to sit on. Since the current goes from the top of the mountain to the ocean we have a slow-moving current , so all the driver has to do is steer with a bamboo pole. The three of us board one raft and start our journey. As were cruising down the river very slow, our guide says "would you guys like a red stripe beer?" Of course we say "how much?" "One Jamaican dollar" I replied "sure why not". So now were drifting along enjoying the tropical scenery, when he says "you want a spliff?" Again I say, "how much?" "Two Jamaican dollars" I reply sent there are four of us including the guide. "How much for four spiffs?". "Seven Jamaican dollars, but why four? There are only three of you." "What about you"? You should have seen the smile on his face. He slowed the raft down and we enjoyed the scenery all the way back. Also gave him a five dollar tip, Jamaican. Don't want to spoil him.

After leaving Falmouth, it's getting late we need to decide to go back to the boat to keep going to Montego Bay. "Let's go to Montego Bay" boy! Are we exploring or what? We look in our guidebook and find a place called, "Doctors Cave". We have never been to Montego Bay, so let's explore. Drs. Cave has a lot of history, so we check into a suite at the hotel. First class, $80 US a day. There is a Cave that goes from the hotel underground, under the main road right to the private beach. We are in heaven, great service, food, women and scenery. The next morning after a great breakfast, we go to the marketplace to purchase Jamaican blue Mountain coffee beans, fruit and Appleton rum from the duty-free area.

After a couple of days we are on our way back to Ocho Rios after checking out of the hotel. Along the road is a restaurant on the beach called Mickey's. The people at the hotel told us they have the best lobster on the whole island. The restaurant serves a fluffy stuffed lobster that is out of this world. Believe me, when I tell you to this day it still is. Not only was the lobster fluffy, creamy sauce with shrimp, onions and spices. This won't be the last time I try it. More on this later.

We arrived back to Ocho Rios and settle in for the night.Exploring trip to see the north coast and the tourists. We have blended in with the Marina crowd pretty well, talking to people about experiences center of stuff. The next morning we are supposed to meet Michael for lunch at the restaurant he took us to put the next phase of our trip.

That afternoon, Rick Mikey and myself drive up to the mansion/restaurant to meet Mike and he is there. After lunch we go back down to the lower deck to smoke a joint and see what our schedule is. The plan is similar to the last time we were in Jamaica. Leave in the afternoon on Sunday, meet him in Boscobel down the coast, close to shore. Load up and head home. Michael says, "I think we may have 5000 pounds, but remember it is packed tight, if you can't take all of it, will take that back".

This is on Friday, so we call customs and immigration to leave on Sunday. They remind us about overtime and the extra charge. We tell them that's okay! We were invited to a party at the hotel Saturday night, which was true and that's why we are leaving on Sunday.

Saturday, we feel the boat, go into town to replenish canned goods, vegetables, meat, fruit, liquor and snacks. We go to the party at the hotel that night, enjoy ourselves and say our goodbyes to the people we have met. This is the best trip we have had so far. Back at the boat, we recheck everything to make sure we have not forgotten anything.

The next morning, Sunday, customs comes with the immigration officer around 2 o'clock to check us out. There is a standard Johnny Walker on the table. After filling out the forms, the customs officer said to me. "I am so sorry we were so rough on you when you arrived. We have a serious problem with ganja smuggling on the island. I hope you enjoy your cruise back to your home". I asked him, "would it be okay to offer you a bottle of Johnny Walker scotch to take home?" "No problem MON!" So he gave both of them the last four bottles we had. I think they left very happy.

After leaving Ocho Rios and doing our normal heading north and arriving on time in Boscobel still flying over Jamaican flag we anchored up. Michael was waiting to Lotus. I mean like precision we were loaded, no hesitation. We took everything, the load and fuel, turn around and were gone in less than two hours. The fastest load I have done so far, smooth.

On our way back to the windward, we had decent weather, no encounters and headed back to the Bahamas flying our Bahamian flag. The only obstacle was in the Exuma sound as were headed to Fleming channel on the north end. There was a Bahamian defense force, a PT type vessel ahead of us, coming our way. You know a big gun in front and sailors aboard. They called on the VHF and asked the vessel name, Port of call, passengers on board, destination and where our last report was. They were satisfied thank goodness. How do you explain our cargo?

As to passing through Fleming channel, we are now in Northeast and Northwest channel heading west to go home. We crossed the Gulfstream to Fort Lauderdale, flying our yachting American flag, entering the inlet, we head north to our home we used before. Turning down the canal, I am thinking this is like Earl Flynn the pirate. This is unreal, I also think about prohibition to relate to the Bahamas for smugglers. Kind of the same, against the law, but the population wants it, so give it to them and make money.

The day after in the evening we had load our pot and put it in the garage to weigh it and load it into a U-Haul truck for delivery. We have not had to make a delivery before. Michael has new buyers and he doesn't want them to know where our boat and house are. Not going to take a chance.

Michael makes a delivery that evening, we don't expect back tonight so we go out to dinner, come back in crash. The next day we finish cleaning up the boat, getting ready for sitting a while till the next gig. Michael arrives that evening with a suitcase full of money. We start counting and counting and counting. We arrive at the end and have $437,000. After expenses, the trip, but supplies, and the pot, ganja. Our profit to split half with my brother and myself $180,000, Michael and Rick hundred and $180,000.

With this much cash, Patsy and I opened three more bank accounts and safety deposit boxes. I have to spread it out.

I go back to my regular routine. Back at work, everyone asks what I've been doing for the last month. My reply! "I have been traveling through the Caribbean. Since I have airline travel privileges, I've been using them", end of questions.

I have a friend(Jonathan) in Fort Lauderdale and his father owns a real estate firm, specializing in waterfront property. One evening Jonathan calls me and tells me about a great deal his dad just listed. A two-bedroom one bath home on a deep water canal with ocean access. Would I be interested? This is on Saturday morning, when I give his dad a call at the office. I made an appointment for that Saturday afternoon.

After arriving at the office of Jonathan's father, his name is Ben. He takes me to show the house off Riverland Drive. We parked out front and go to meet the owners. After a tour through the house and the backyard where there is a canal and the dock, we go back to the office. Then says "this is a great deal for a waterfront home". The price is $32,500 and it won't last long". "What do you think?" "How much down?" I ask. He says "10% down", about $3500". The monthly payments will be about $230 per month for a 30 year mortgage". I told him to draw up the papers and tell me where to sign. I will bring a check on Monday "when can we close?" "Right after title insurance and survey are completed, about two weeks".

That Monday I dropped off a cashier's check and closed two weeks later as a new homeowner of waterfront property. I could have paid cash, but I would have a hard time explaining where it came from.

During this time my girlfriend wanted to leave me and move back to Washington DC to be near her mom and help her out. I suppose it was time to move on. I gave her a bunch of cash to move and make the trip and her new Monte Carlo to help out her mom.

After moving in to my new home, I wanted to make a few additions. There is a carport I want to enclose for a garage. In the living room, I wanted an entertainment area with a rock wall and elevated slate floor. My plan was to put a safe under the floor. I have a friend, his name is Harry and he is an excellent stonemason. Harry only works on million-dollar homes, because he is very expensive. I asked Harry to come over one day and explained to him my plans. He said the only time he would have available is in the evenings and weekends. He gave me a price, which I thought was very reasonable and I agreed. It took him three weekends and a few evenings to complete the job. No one could ever find the safe, except Harry and I. The safe is the style, that it is loaded from the top with a removable combination head.

I have a longer drive to work roughly one hour versus 20 minutes when I lived in my apartment in Miami. But it's kind of neat owning my own waterfront home on a dead-end street in Fort Lauderdale with ocean access.

I guess it is time to tell of a new adventure. Michael calls me and wants to meet up at the rental house, where the boat is docked. I arrived and Michael, Rick and my brother Mikey are there. "I have another load to pick up in Jamaica. And I want you and the guys to go in two weeks". "Tell me more details", I inquire. "Okay, I have our last buyer in Alabama, and that's where he wants to unload this time. He is nervous driving through Florida, the government is starting their war on drugs. He has a location and I checked it out, backcountry, low key, not a lot of activity." My reply, "it is a lot longer trip and I don't know if I can take any more time off from work". Michael replies, "you have enough money to quit your job". "Let me think about it and you guys think about buying out my 25% share. I will call you after I check with my boss at work to see if I can take off anymore time".

The next day at work I asked my boss if I could take anymore time off. His reply was, "we have just contracted with three new airlines to repair their engines. No way to take off of work and there will probably be a lot of overtime in all the departments. I have been working for the airlines as a mechanic for four years. Overtime for me is $21 per hour or over $800 extra per week. Not bad for 1971. No time off, I have to make a serious decision. I have a substantial amount of cash, I bought my first time in Fort Lauderdale. I still have responsibility for my two boys and I feel like I am on a roll.

I call Michael that night to set up a meeting in the morning with my brother Mikey, Rick and Michael. The next morning we meet at their rental house. I explained my situation about my job, house, children, etc. I asked them if they have considered buying me and Mikey my brother out. My brother says, "I don't want to quit or be bought out". "Okay!" I replied, "do you guys want to buy me out of my share?". Michael says, "we discussed it before you got here. How does $30,000 sound? That's $10,000 from each of us". I think for a few minutes about how much I invested at this point. Time, money and putting this boat in shape to make long successful trips. I felt like it was worth a lot more, but I countered with 45,000 to see what the reaction would be. No reaction? They looked at each other and said, "we are going to discuss us out by the pool with you don't mind?" "Okay". I said as I went to the fridge to get a beer and watch TV. After a long period of time the boys came back to finish our discussion. Michael says, "okay, as long as we can still work together!"??? "What do you mean by that" I replied. "If we need help with anything "No problem with that, when do I get paid?" "Now, we figured $45,000 was a fair price", as he passed me a large package with $45,000 in it. I went home and put the cash in my safe.
No longer a owner or partner in a smuggling enterprise, I kind of felt a weird relief
I went back to my regular routine of working and taking care of my new home with a shit load of cash in the bank. I also put a substantial amount in my new safe at home. After two years of juggling between work and extracurricular activities and now without a girlfriend. I guess it's a little strange, I feel a little lost and lonely.

A month goes by and I get a call from Michael's girlfriend. She says, "I am in Fort Lauderdale and need to talk to you as soon as possible". We agree to meet at a restaurant on the intracoastal at 7 PM. Michael's girlfriend is a gorgeous southern girl. We meet at the restaurant on time, sit in a booth and order drinks. She looks really nervous and frightened. I asked, "what's going on?". "Everybody has been arrested in Alabama. I have to get Michael out now before they know he is a fugitive. He told me to see you personally and can you help?".

This is terrible, my brother, Rick, Michael and who knows who the other people are. I ask her when it happened. "Yesterday morning" she said. "How many people?" I asked. "Seven including me" is her replied. "How come you are out?" Is my reply "my sister bonded me out". "Okay, stay here and let me make a few phone calls". I called a lawyer friend of mine and explain the situation. He said he would call me right back. After 10 minutes he called back and said, "there will be a bondsman their first thing in the morning to get Michael out. I will call you as soon as he is out".

A return to the booth and ask her she has a place to stay. "I was going to get a hotel room". She said. I told her she could stay at my house, it would be more convenient to keep close in touch and I could learn more about what had happened.

After we arrived at my home, she started the story. Michael and his connections were observed by the locals driving out-of-state tags, scoping out the area and seemingly suspicious. The locals notified the police and they were being watched. The night the boat arrived at a dock and started to offload, blue lights everywhere, on the water and at the dock. Also at the motel they had rented were Michael's girlfriend was staying 20 miles away. They arrested everybody and confiscated the boat, along with the marijuana.

This was being, big news in a small rural area. Of Alabama on the Bayou. The biggest marijuana bust in the Panhandle ever.

The next afternoon Michael calls to try and find his girlfriend, I tell him she is here at my house. "Put her on the phone, please" I hand the phone to her and they talked almost an hour, will she took notes. When they were finished, she handed me the phone. Michael says, "can you rent a car for my girlfriend?, Once they find out I am a fugitive they are going to try finding her". "Sure, no problem what are you going to do?" "I am in the process of trying to get everyone bonded out. By the way thanks for having someone in quart pursing this morning. Once they find out who I really am, there was no way I could get bogged. I will be in Fort Lauderdale tomorrow, can I stay with you for a couple of days?" "Come on down buddy".

The next day, late in the afternoon a car pulls up in here is Michael in a rented car. "How did you rent a car?" "I have a bunch of IDs and credit cards, also I have a lot of cash with me I am about to spend to get everyone bailed out and lawyers. I only want to spend today at your home in case the feds come looking for me. I am going to need a little help from you". "Like what?" I asked. "First of all I am going to leave you $100,000 in cash. Second, going to give you a cell phone to keep in touch with me on when and who to pay money! Lawyers and bondsman. There are five people in jail, including your brother. I have to get them out. Do not use your home phone to discuss anything about what is going on. While in jail, me and the guys made a game plan. They are not to make any statements until they have my lawyers present and not talk to any other inmates about anything". From after Michael and his girlfriend left the next day, I put the money in my safe. Boy! What a mess.

The next day, Michael calls on the cell phone and gives me instructions to pay two bondsman $10,000 each. They will bond everyone out, I have hired three attorneys, they get a deposit of $10,000 each. I wrote down the phone numbers and addresses. WOW! $50,000 and this is just the beginning.

I am on second shift at work 3 PM to 11 PM and I make appointments for the next day with all five people, three in Fort Lauderdale and two in downtown Miami. I also called them from a pay phone, no record.

Michael asked me to not asked for a receipt, but to make a logbook to keep with me and have each recipient of money to initial the amount only, nothing else. Everyone signed the amount. This would be the only record of such transactions.
Brother Mikey calls a couple of days later to meet at the Southport bar and grill. We have a couple of beers and lunch. After lunch we set out on the dock and he tells me his side of the story. "The trip down and back was pretty uneventful. When we got to Alabama we headed for Perdido Pass near Pensacola and made our way through the channel to pirate's Cove in Alabama. After tying up at the dock.and checking in with the dock master, nothing appeared out of the ordinary we were the only boat there and decided to have dinner at the Marina restaurant. After dinner we went back to the boat to wait for dark to come and relax.

I guess about 11 PM Michael arrives with a U-Haul truck and we are just about to start offloading, but all of a sudden blue flashing lights, spotlights and someone on a megaphone says "every body put your hands up and don't move, you are under arrest".

They took us straight to jail, fingerprinted us and put us all in one cell for the night, except for Michael's girlfriend. She was put in a separate cell. Since it was a Saturday night, we would not go before a judge until Monday morning. On Monday we were charged with smuggling and bail was set at $100,000 each. A bondsman was there and posted bond for Michael, he was processed and left real fast. The lawyers representing the rest of us asked the judge for a hearing to reduce our bonds. Request was granted in the next day our bonds were reduced to $50,000 each and the bondsman made our bail. And here I am"

It took a week before Michael's prints came back and all hell broke loose in Alabama also a substantial amount of marijuana disappeared from the evidence room, approximately 2000 pounds that no one could account for. Now the FBI, customs and the DEA are involved. The Alabama police are now part of the investigation for illegal activity.

The lawyers get together with all the clients to discuss the case and make a game plan. The first thing was no one ever talked to the police, so there were no statements made. No one was ever given their rights after being arrested. The police arrested them without seeing anyone taking pot off the boat for probable cause. When the attorneys were in court for the bail hearings we could tell the judge was pretty upset about this whole thing. We put in not guilty pleas for everybody including Michael. We also filed motions to have evidence suppressed, no warrant, no arrest! It is our best shot!

Two months later we heard the sheriff and some of his deputies were arrested in a sting operation by the DEA trying to sell a substantial amount of pot. During that time the lawyers and defendants went before the judge. All charges were dropped including Michael's and he wasn't even there. No evidence, also with some witnesses including the Sheriff the judge had no choice, he set them free.

I am still working at the airlines, my brother is working at step dad's job and guess who calls? Michael!

"How have you been and where?" I said out of curiosity. "Trying to stay safe, I just paid off all the bills in Alabama, I guess I learned a good lesson in Alabama".

"Can we be partners again and do it right?" "What do you have in mind?" Let's buy another boat, not a sailboat but a powerboat, capable of going to Jamaica since Columbia is so far away. Rick and I will pay 75% to get it and rig it. You have to find it". "Let me think about it and I will get back with you".

I called my brother Mikey and we went to lunch. I discussed with him what Michael had said. He was definitely interested and suggested we be partners again. I called Michael and told him I would start looking for about boat. I per used the boat trader, brokerages and auctions. No luck for what I was looking for. While in Palm Beach that weekend looking through the marinas, I talked to a lot of brokers, one of them said a university had something I might be interested in. He called a number, made an appointment for that afternoon. The broker gets a commission of course to sell a vessel. We go to a private Marina and go through a security gate. The boat is a 1947 Annapolis cruising yacht, a real classic, 47 feet long. I like it and start inspecting her. I talked to the broker and he tells me a commander, Shields, retired Navy man was restoring her. He put two brand-new 471 GMC diesels in and was going to cruise the Bahamas. Unfortunately he had a stroke, couldn't go forward with his plans and donated it to the University. I really like the vessel, but not the price, which is $40,000. I make an offer of $20,000 after a survey and tell him to call me if he is interested.

I am still looking at possible choices and even went to Boston, where the government had vessels for sale. Nothing of interest.

Three weeks later the broker calls and says, " are you still interested in the Annapolis?" "Yes!" I want to have it hauled as soon as possible for a survey." We make arrangements, I have a survey or on-site. We do the survey together, so I can learn more about the boat and he tells me the best thing other than the hall is pretty sound. The engines are brand-new, it is an old boat and could use some repairs, but I will write my report and give it to you next week.

The following week I get the survey report and make my decision. Okay! "When do you want to sign a contract and close the deal?" "Is tomorrow okay? I will be there".

I took off from work on Friday to meet the broker with a $20,000 cashier's check ready to close. The person from the University has all his papers for the boat and we close the deal. This is a documented vessel in the paperwork is different from a state registered boat. I am required to take the papers to the US Coast Guard to register with the government. A documented vessel has a lot more legitimacy on the high seas and with the lending institutions. I have 30 days to transfer title, in the meantime I decide to have the bottom painted, thanks replace before putting her back in the water. Until the yard manager old back on Saturday to pick her up. I decide to take my brother to help me take her home.

That Saturday morning after paying my yard bill and putting 200 gallons of fresh diesel in the boat. I checked the engines, oil, filters and transmissions. Started the engines left the Marina and headed home to my dock in Fort Lauderdale. The cruise down the intracoastal was nice, opening a lot of bridges. Turning into the new River which leads to my new home in this is the first time I have been on that river. It was a scenic cruise and really delightful. Arriving home Mikey and I tied her up, connected shore power. Since it was a Sunday afternoon, we decided to go through the boat and check out all the manuals and spares.

The autopilot is a wood freeman and, been around for a long time and very reliable. Hydraulic steering, spare props. The inventory is not bad, but a lot of it is old and there are a lot of parts from the replaced engines that we will get rid of. The vessel has two 200 gallons fuel tanks, 100 gallons of fresh water. There are two cabins forward with a galley and head. Main salon in the midship and I aft cabin with two beds and head there is a steering station in the salon and above on the bridge.

I call Michael on the private cell phone that we now communicate with. I tell him we now have a new boat. He says "when can you get ready?" "I am going to spend a week in the Bahamas to check her out". "Okay, call me when you get back"

I take off work for one of my weeks vacations and my brother and I load up our fishing gear and supplies. We go down the new River to the intracoastal and out they Fort Lauderdale and let headed to West End. The engines are running at 2250 RPM and we are doing 9 kn. Much faster than our sailboat could go. Had I known the fuel tanks were contaminated with algae and dirty fuel I would never have left. The boat has sat idle for four or five years, during that time condensation in the fuel tanks has created algae that has settled on the bottom. Going down the smooth intracoastal there was no problems. In the Gulf stream, rock 'n roll agitates and mixes good fuel with dirty fuel to clog the fuel filters. Three quarters of the way to West End, the engines are starving for fuel from dirty filters. We shut down the engines and drift, while I change primary and secondary filters on both engines. The filters were black and full of gunk. After bleeding the fuel lines, we restarted the engines and arrived at West End about 3 PM.

We had our quarantine flag up, Doc and called customs and immigration. While waiting, I checked out how many filters were on board. I found four, enough for two fuel filter changes per engine. After clearing customs and immigration, putting up the Bahamian cruising flag I checked in with the dock master. I asked him if there was a General Motors dealer on the island and he said in Freeport. Freeport is 60 miles, so I called a cab and my brother and I went to the Marine store in Freeport and bought eight more filters enough for four filter changes. The manager of the store asked why I was buying so many fuel filters? I explain my fuel problem. He said he just came back from the Miami boat show and is the new distributor for Raycor fuel filters. He had a 900 model on the shelf and it looked pretty impressive. I asked for a brochure and left to go back to the boat.

The next morning we bought some bait, ice and headed offshore to fish. We fished all day trolling and caught three dolphins, one tuna about 8 pounds and 20/30 barracudas that we released. A Good fishing day and headed back to Jack tar Marina arriving back at the Marina I told Mikey I was going to change fuel filters. They were horrible, I have a serious problem with dirty fuel. The boat in general has been perfect except for this. I told my brother we would fish one more day and head back home. I had to get this fuel problem resolved.

The next morning we set out early in the morning trolling the edge of the Gulfstream going North. We hooked up to sales, let them go, for dolphin and decided to head back to the Marina. That evening after arriving the dock master wanted to know how we did. Showed him of our cats and he says, "how about I clean them for you and get some of the fillets?" One dolphin was a bull, about 20 to 25 pounds and I wanted to steak him. The other three were 10 to 20 pounds and he filleted them. After all the dolphin were clean and wrapped I asked them to take what he wanted. You should've seen the look on his face. I gave him stakes in fillets about 15 pounds. I also told him I was leaving in the morning because of my fuel problem. He said he would have customs and immigration here first thing in the morning. The first time ever of checking out of the Bahamas.

The next morning after checking out we headed home. I only had to change the fuel filters, one more time, it was a short trip unfortunately, but I had a serious problem. I called my friend at the boat yard near my home on the new River, told him my problem. And made an appointment for the next day to bring it to the boat yard. I had to be at work, so I left it to get a price , repair and install the new Racor filters. The next day I went to see the boat yard manager and he informed me, "we have to remove the fuel tanks to clean them, you need to replace all the fuel lines because they are copper and in pretty bad shape". My reply, "how much?" He hands me a sheet with a breakdown of labor and parts. $3700 including tax. "How long will it take?" I asked. "A week to 10 days", is his reply. Not only is the owner/manager, we have been friends for a few years, so I trust his good judgment. "Okay, go for it".

The next day I call Michael, "it's going to take a couple of weeks to get the boat ready. Also I think I'm going to quit my job at the airlines if I can't take off from work and I will let you know". That evening I asked my boss, even though I have taken a lot of work off the pass couple of years. "What are the chances of taking another couple of months off?" His reply! "I don't see why not, I will let you know tomorrow on your shift". The following night my boss says, "I wish I could take off as much time as you do! I understand you bought a boat to work on? You know I love to fish and have a 25 foot Chris-Craft. I fish every chance I get. next year, I am retiring, and that is all I am going to do, fish, fish and more fishing. Than one that weekend I go to the boat yard to see how work is progressing. The manager says, "we added a fuel manifold system so you can run off one tank for both engines or even the tank for each engine. I threw in the fuel manifold system for free, it came off a sport fisher man boat that went to a more sophisticated system. Anyway you are ready to go".

I paid my bill and took the boat back to my dock at home. I In the boat by myself and that was pretty neat. A vessel, if I had to handle alone was quite possible. The next day I called Michael and told him I was ready to go. I would need a crew. During the next week I had a crew, Mikey Rick and Patsy my old girlfriend who decided to make some money we stocked up and left Fort Lauderdale for the trip to Jamaica, through the Bahamas.

After checking into Bimini, we now could cruise the Bahamas. We headed straight to Nassau. Spent the night, refueled and headed for the Exuma's. I have been here before and I am in a hurry. I have determined that we get about 1 gallon per mile at 9 kn equals 400 miles.. We stop in Georgetown again, this time we checked the fuel to make sure no water. The next morning we headed straight to great Inagua. When we arrive LeeAnn is there and says "you are on a different boat, not a sailboat!" I tell him, "yeah, Leon I finally bought me a boat to fish with!" "Where are you headed?" I thought I would go to Jamaica for a couple of weeks to fish".

The next morning I went to customs and immigration to get my cruising papers to Jamaica. Never done that before!. No problem, I am a familiar face by now. I tipped them 100 bucks each, and tell them I will see them in about three weeks". "Have a safe trip". They replied

The next morning we had out for the Windward passage to Jamaica. One thing about a powerboat, you don't have to depend on the wind to move. Two days later we see the blue Mountains we turn a little to the south. We are going to Kingston this time. We have not been there and it will be a new experience. After checking our charts and entering Kingston harbor, we have decided to stay at Fort Morgan Marina. We call them on the VHF to tell him of our arrival. They explain arrival procedure, quarantine flag and some old be at the docks to meet us. We are to moor up Portuguese style. This is a procedure, when you get near the dock, you turn the bow away from the dock, throw your anchor away and start to back up to the dock. Someone is on the bow to cleat off the anchor, someone is on the Stern to throw two lines to the dock. When I holler to the bow, they cleat the anchor and I put the boat in neutral and hopefully the anchor grabs which it did. Then the two stern lines are thrown to the dock, Chris crossed and secured to cleats. This is a standard method of mooring in the med.

One secure the dock master says, "you are allowed on the premises, they cannot leave until customs and immigration come tomorrow from the airport. I signed at the office next to the dock. He gives me a brochure of the hotel, restaurant and Tiki bar on the dock next to our boat. I love it, a bar right on the Stern of our boat.

The next afternoon customs and immigration come, and guess what's on the kitchen counter? Johnny Walker scotch. We sit down and give them our cruising papers, ships documents and identification. "What is the purpose of your trip to Jamaica?" He asked. I tell him we are going to go fishing for a few days and sightseeing. That we plan on being here for a week and leaving next Saturday. "You know you have to pay overtime on leaving on the weekend?" "No, I did not know that, but that is our plans, is that okay? "No problem,Mon". " Would you guys like some refreshments and snacks?" They looked at me, then the scotch and said "how about a drink of that, pointing".Gotcha!

After they left we pull down our quarantine flag and put up our Jamaican cruising flag. Rick, Patsy, Mikey, and myself went to the bar and met yachtsmen, locals and the bartender. The bartender is 78 years old. He has been the bartender for 48 years and his name is Jacob. He is a wealth of information. The first thing he says to my crew and I, sitting at the bar "do you know "Tia Maria?" Is made here in Jamaica, or that Morgan's Harbour is named after Capt. Morgan? Or Rastafarian comes from Ethiopia and I am going to give you a treat!" He pours five little shot glasses of a brown bottle for us and him. This is "Jamaica" please, please enjoy. And we did. The people here were very nice and cordial. We were told to be very careful if we went into Kingston.

The next day we walked to the Fort and explored. Pretty interesting place. They do not get a lot of tourists here, because it is a peninsula quite some ways from Kingston, but close to the airport.

The following day we rented a car and went up to Blue Mountain Inn. This is where Jamaican blue Mountain coffee is grown. To be called blue Mountain coffee it has to be grown here at a certain elevation. We had a tour of the plantation, plus coffee and lunch. What a view from where we were. We could see Kingston and Morgan's Harbour from the deck. On the way back we stopped at a few roadside stands to get snacks, red stripe beer and a few souvenirs. I was glad we had Patsy with us, a girl with the guys made us look like real tourists.

The next day we refueled the boat, did regular maintenance on the engines and relaxed by the pool. Friday night Michael showed up with our instructions for Saturday night. The location to pick up our load and certain conditions to be aware of. Boscobel is near an airstrip on the coast and they load marijuana almost every night on airplanes. The Jamaican Coast Guard does not patrol the area because they can't catch planes. It is not known for boat traffic. We have marked our charts on where we are supposed to pick up our load. We now have our plan
. We go to the bar and celebrate our vacation and say our goodbyes to the people we have met.

The next morning customs and immigration arrived on time at 9 AM. All are our papers are in order to depart back to the Bahamas. The customs and immigration officers leave, each with a bottle of Johnny Walker scotch in their briefcases, happy fellows.

Late that afternoon we disconnect our power and water, untie our lines, pull the anchor and head on our way out through the inlet to our next destination. We had East two point my rant, see the light house and after passing it about 5 miles out, we then head north west to Port Antonio and beyond to Boscobel. Boscobel from Port Antonio is another 37 miles. As the sun sets in the west, we wait for our call on the radio at 9 PM "a fisherman, are you catching any fish?" "No", I replied "I'm coming home".

Boscobel has a nice cove right off the airport runway. We pull into the cove and wait about an hour. Here comes our load on three zodiac's. It took over an hour to load 4500 pounds and 8 /5 gallon containers of fuel. Just as Michael and the crew lit up a spliff we heard an airplane overhead that just left the airport. They were either overloaded, or one of the engines had problems. They hit the water about a half a mile from us. You could hear it hit but not see it. Everybody freaked out, the Jamaicans, me, Michael and the crew. Michael yells "everybody get the puck out of here". They left and we had a due north to clear the area.

The next morning we were about 50 miles north of Jamaica and turned east toward the Windward passage. It sure is nice to be able to have engines instead of a sailing vessel where you have to depend on the wind to go where you want.

We went to the windy and pulled into great Inagua check in with our quarantine flag. We arrived in a evening and who is at the dock but my old buddy Leon. "How was your trip?" He says "we had a great time". We need to check back in to the Bahamas in the morning and get some fuel. We have to be back in the states by next week. I have to be at my job"

All the bales are in the forward cabins and the salon doors are closed. There is no smell because we deodorized the forward cabin. Leon says "if you want to leave early just take all of your papers and identification to the customs and immigration offices next to the post office. They will probably process your papers right there". I crossed my fingers.

Leon was right! I got my cruising papers and no one came down to check the boat. We refueled and left by noon for the states flying a Bahamian flagged and cruising papers. We went our regular route north through Exuma sound. We went through Fleming channel and stopped in Chubb cay to refuel. Then across the bank to gun Cay. Just before getting to gun Cay, we anchored to clean the Hull of scum, being six weeks at sea, it was pretty obvious we have been doing some serious cruising

That evening after crossing the Gulfstream we entered the port of Fort Lauderdale, turned up the new River to my new home. Kind of funny coming through the inlet, Coast Guard boats, custom boats, the sheriff department boat, not one of them even glanced at us. Going up the new River to my home, we pulled up to my., connected power and water and when inside to crash. There is an adrenaline rush once you completed trip. We toasted our successful trip and went to bed.

The next morning I called Michael on the cell phone he gave me. "When do you want to pick up the load?. "Tomorrow, is it still in the boat?" "Yep!" "Okay, I'll get back in touch". So the next day we cleaned, polished, serviced the engines and cleaned out the trash. This has been a fantastic trip, # 1 and not one mechanical problem. We had checked fuel consumption at various speeds, with both engines and just running one engine. 400 gallons would give us 300 miles at 14 kn with two engines. Cruising at 7 kn we doubled our distance to almost 600 miles.

Michael calls the next day on my cell phone and says " can we unload tomorrow night? I am going to bring a U-Haul truck. I will back it in your driveway tomorrow afternoon and we can load it that night." "Okay!" I tell him. "We will be ready".

The next day a U-Haul comes with Michael driving and his buyer from a previous job. I am a little disappointed, because this is not a rental house, this is my home. After introductions, I take Michael outside, "why are you bringing this guide to my house? You didn't give me any warning or even ask. How about a little consideration". I am pissed off and he knows it. After a long pause, he says, "look, I am sorry and it will not happen ever again. He has cash money and wants this load pretty quick. I guess there is a shortage of pot right now. He is going to get top dollar, so I thought it would be okay!" We went back inside and ordered pizza and anti-pasta from a local restaurant down the street and a small plaza that is pretty popular in Fort Lauderdale.

After everyone had their fill, we set up a game plan to unload. Since I had neighbors on each side of my house and across the canal we had to be very discreet and quiet. At 11 PM it started to rain, we set up with the six of us to one the boat to on the dock in two to load the U-Haul truck. 123 bales. By the time we were done it was 2:30 AM and it was still raining. Thank goodness! We all crash for the night, totally exhausted.

The next morning after breakfast, Michael and his buyer left around 8 AM. Rick Mikey took my car and went home. Patsy and I sat on the back porch and kind of reminisced about the trip. She could make a great crew member, but I needed MySpace and she just made about $25,000 for this trip. She knows me pretty well and said "after I get paid, I will go on with my life. I like being an take care of mom. I wish you all the luck in the world. You are a wonderful person and if you ever need anything just call me and I will be there if you need me". The next day I get a call from Michael and he wants everyone at a hotel, the beauty of Mark tonight to get paid and celebrate. "Tell everyone to bring something to carry and leave with their money." I call Mikey and Rick tell them where to go, what room and time.

That evening I call a cab to take me and Patsy to the hotel. We arrive at the hotel and go to Michael's room where Rick, Mikey, Michael and his connection are waiting. The connection tells me he would like to talk to me on the balcony, kind of private. I looked at Michael like, questionable? He nods it's all right. We go out on the balcony and he starts the conversation. "My real name is Rodney and I have been doing this for a long, long time. You, your crew have been the best people that have it together and make it work. "Michael explained how upset you were when I showed up at your home. I can understand that. Tomorrow I want you to come to my home where I have been for five years to meet my wife. That is okay with you?" He hands me a piece of paper with his address. "Hope to see you tomorrow. Is noon okay?" This will be another story.

Michael had ordered a real banquet in his hotel suite. Room service came up with nine trays of food, wine and booze was already set up. After we all feasted and indulged, Michael opens up a bottle of Dom Perigon to celebrate. Later on I found out it cost $450 for a bottle. Michael says as we toast! "To a great crew!"

The trip generated $480,000 less $100,000 expenses. Rick Mikey and Patsy would pay their $25,000 each. I made almost $200,000.

Patsy flew back to Maryland. Mikey brought my car back to the hotel and he and Rick went home. Michael and Rodney said they would get back to me. I went home, put my money in my safe and went to bed.

LIFE IS GETTING BETTER!