Sam Holmes Sailing · video

What this video covers

A solo sailor departing Dakar, Senegal, for a 100-nautical-mile passage to Banjul, Gambia, experiences a nighttime collision when an unlit fishing boat rams his vessel.0:07 The impact causes minor damage to the hull, but the rigging remains intact.4:53 During the 32-hour transit, the sailor manages light winds by alternating between the jib, a spinnaker, and motor-sailing, while contending with heavy Saharan dust and swarming insects.0:16 Upon arrival in Banjul, the sailor anchors in 9 feet of water outside the fishing harbor.14:47 Clearing customs requires nearly four hours and involves visiting multiple offices, a process facilitated by a local agent named Kaita.18:16 Total entry costs include a $100 visa fee, a $50 river fee, a $40 agent fee, and a $10 bribe to avoid a boat inspection.18:36 The sailor notes that using an agent is essential for navigating the unlabeled government offices in the busy port.19:09

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