Cruising Meraki • Sailing Familyvideo

WE CAN'T CHECK INTO THE COUNTRY?! | Marquesas, French Polynesia | Ep 105

22 May 2023 · 19 min · 4K views · Hiva Oa

What this video covers

After completing a 3,310-nautical-mile Pacific crossing from Mexico to the Marquesas, French Polynesia, a cruising family struggles to complete official customs check-in procedures at the Gendarmerie in Hivaoa.10:20 Despite multiple attempts, limited office hours and internet outages delay the process, forcing the crew to anchor temporarily at the nearby island of Tahuata to manage boat maintenance, including laundry, hull cleaning, and repairing a punctured dinghy.7:46 The crew eventually returns to Hivaoa and successfully secures customs clearance by arriving at the Gendarmerie during a transition period, despite posted signs discouraging afternoon visits.19:04 The passage statistics for the 26.5-day journey include 74 engine hours and a top 24-hour run of 167 nautical miles.12:40 The crew notes that customs procedures in the region are inconsistent and require persistence, often dictated by local "island time" rather than strictly posted office hours.19:09

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Boats in this video

Explorer 45 (HUNTINGFORD)Their boat

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