Rob Trimming The Jib

Here I am trimming the white, yellow, and blue jib on a downwind leg. I am the guy on the left wearing the green shirt and brown shorts. This big sail is trimmed by the rope in my hands that goes through a pulley and a winch at the stern of the boat. For the best boat speed an adjustment is made every few seconds. In heavy winds I am assisted by a winch grinder to help me pull the sail back in after it has been eased.

Thanks for the Picture Carolyn.

USVI & BVI Customs policies

Despite what the CDP.gov (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) tells you, for US citizens as of June 2009 a passport is required to go from the USVI (United State Virgin Islands) to the BVI (British Virgin Islands) and then return to the United States. After calling the CDP ahead to confirm it was ok, we planned our trip around using a certified birth certificate for exit and re-entry.

As of September 2009 there seems to be some games going on because the CDP offices in St Thomas will tell you it is fine to go to the BVI using a certified birth certificate and they even tell you to enjoy your trip. When you go to get on a ferry to the BVI, the operators won’t take you because the CDP fines ferry operators $3,000USD for taking non-passport carrying US citizens to the BVI even if they have a certified birth certificate.

Why does the CDP tell people to enjoy their trip yet fine the ferry operators? Are they afraid of retaliation or reciprocal policies from the British border patrol in the BVI?

The US CDP office in St. Thomas was very rude and even hung up on us when we asked why we were given mis information. This seems like poor policies left over from the Bush administration and 9/11 hysteria.

Why Rob leaves work early every Wednesday

Here is a picture of me trimming the Spinkaker on Wednesday night racing. Great friends and a wonderful diversion on hump day.