It's a new dawn, it's a new day.
Were you fooled? This was last night's sunset. Nice reflection on the water.Although Chris and myself have not finished our final transaction, which is set for the end of the month, Makina already feels like my vessel at this point. To keep with the relationship theme of a previous posting, it is like we are betrothed and to be married on the last day of June.
'Does this Skipper take this boat as his own to cross the ocean toss until separated by death or depth?'
'Oh yeah, Baby!'
Source : orbitz.com
Dropped in to the local Yard after showering and water bottle fill up in the early part of the day. Asked if they could get a wild ball park estimate of the engine installation project that they have yet to book for me; explaining that it would be nice to have at my fingertips with the final negotiations with the owner, since the survey went well.
Of course there will be no final negotiations, the asking price seemed fair to me. Particularly considering the ETH which is buying it did a 10x in the four years HODLing it. The Yard's estimate would help to settle my mind by comparing it to Hugh's mechanic's initial estimate. My guess the yard's estimate may be more, yet they would not have had the advantage of an onsite viewing like Jose did.
My sailing experience has been largely crewing on my Father's Yawl, so the paperwork side of seamanship was unknown to me. It surprised me how involved marine insurance is handled. My assumption was that it would be something like a car and simply transfer ownership with the insurance company and off you go. To a degree that fits, however the powers that shouldn't be want to ensure that you will not be a hazard to your fellow navigators out on the toss. It makes sense and the seaman's ticket has deep traditions attached to it.
Firstly even if you had documented accreditation in certain Sail Canada courses, so as to provide a degree of proof of competence as to satisfy an insurance agent, still the policies given are very jurisdictional. To travel from one jurisdiction (like the Great Lakes) to another (like the Maritimes) one would probably need a "journey policy" to have insurance coverage over the passage from the one jurisdiction to the other. One would ask for permission to travel to the Caribbean, for example, and they may restrict you due to the season. Again a good idea as that would likely be Hurricane Season that they would be concerned about.
Chris' insurance agent was going to get back to me after contacting their affiliate in Nova Scotia. Because Makina will soon have Halifax as her home port in Transport Canada's records, the agent must be located on the east coast. Guess its a provincial jurisdiction thing, like vehicle licensing. My guess is they will want me to have finished all the instructions and courses that were in the plans anyway. The one drawback is that it will not be possible to do the instructions aboard Makina because of the catch 22 situation of qualification will be needed prior to insurance being issued.
Makina can wait, patiently, for me on the hard. The time could be taken to give her a fresh coat of paint below the water line. Courses should have me in Scarborough for most of July. Just signed up for a course on usage of VHF Marine Radio Channels. It is offered in a virtual setting, which will make attendance a lot easier for me. Yet so much paperwork!
In his emails the instructor that Hugh recommended sounded like he would be tailoring my lessons, somewhat, while being sure to cover all topics required for certification. Its likely he can also certify me with the required navigation course(s) as well. Can't believe how technology has made navigation so much easier since my days on the wash; providing you don't loose power that is.
The plan is to get my feet wet with 3 or so hours of sailing for a few days; covering crew duties like helping with docking, as well as working the helm during a docking. We can then move on to the more intense Deep Keel course which covers about 5 full days. Sounds like a fun July could be on the way!
For a change of fare, had a lovely fresh Atlantic Salmon early supper at the Marina's restaurant ; as opposed to the pub. They have seafood down pat! Delicious salmon and a lovely view from the patio.
May the wind be at your back!
A chronological listing of my sailing posts:
https://hive.blog/sailing/@novacadian/novacadian-s-blog-index-sailing