Days 42 and 43- Getting Ready to Cross

No Name Harbor (anchor)

February 25 & 26

Tomorrow we will attempt to make the jump to Bimini.  This will be an all-day trip and we will be in the open ocean for first time.  We have made the agreement that if it is too rough, we will turn around and head back.

Yesterday we had the bottom of Lailia cleaned.   This removed much of the growth that built up from being in the water.

Today we completed our health visas after we received our Covid tests.  We were able to complete these tests via an online proctored testing facility who watched us as we performed the tests.

After we finally received our health visas (I had apparently missed completing a box on both applications so they thought we weren’t vaxxed) we were able to apply for, and receive, our cruising permit. 

When we get to Bimini, we will have to fly the yellow “Q” (quarantine) flag until John, the captain, checks us in through customs.  We will also need to get another Covid test within 5 days.  That test is funded through our health visa fee.

I am very anxious about the trip tomorrow.  I think it is partially my worries about leaving Biscayne Bay – there’s lots of shoals – and partially being worried about getting seasick.  As a means to deal with that anxiety I will review (again) the charts to see the Biscayne Bay channel – and I bought Dramamine today to help with any nausea.

I am not sure when we will have internet again.  If you want to see our progress, you can download an app called Marine Traffic and search for Lailia.  As we travel we transmit through our AIS.