New world cruiser has questions

[CrazyRu]

Originally Posted by FloatingDoctors

My name is Nicholas Wansten; I am part of a non-profit organization called Floating Doctors. We are nearing the seaworthiness of a 76 ft sail boat we are building in Palm Coast, Florida and will soon be sailing from here to Central America and the Eastern Pacific over the next 12 months to provide free healthcare to developing countries. We will be travelling from here, first to Haiti, then to Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Tuamotu Archipelago, Cook Islands, and Fiji, then back to our homes in Los Angeles.

Why don't you start in Florida and go back north to Maine? You may do as much free help here....
And cruising waters are beautiful and relatively safe yet.

[flitemdic]

If you want to drop me a PM, I can relate some of the entry "issues" I had while flying into numerous Central American countries for medical mercy and repat missions. They may or may not relate well to transitting through a port, but you might find a few useful tidbits. The major part of my missions were pre-9/11, and I did notice a certain amount of changes post, so if nothing else, you may want to know that what is published on any given website- official government or not- may or may not be the routine you find "on the ground" when you get to port.

[joethecobbler]

On your websight you indicate a Nov. 2009 departure. Is this still the plan?
If so I'm suprised that just a few weeks before your departure date your just now considering the legalities/ramafacations of entering foreign countries and ports on a humanitarian based mission , with pets none the less !
Also I have serious concerns as to the ability of the crew and seaworthyness of your craft. As I understand it, not only have you never sailed together as a crew, your crew has never been away from the dock in the vessel you plan on taking 3/4 of the way around the world to some of the most remote locations, with an older powerplant and an obviously limited sail plan !
To say I'm looking at the whole plan and shaking my head is an understatement !
Even with unlimited funding and an unquestionably sound ,proven,and seaworthy craft your intended journey would be quite an undertaking. And that is not even considering that you intend to lend aid to the peoples in your intended route.
care to comment ?

[imagine2frolic]

ha ha ha, Joe you beat me to it. My question too is why wait until the last minute. Maybe you need to buy Cornwell's route book?.........i2f

[badsanta]

I agree with Joe and the floatingDr wants you to submit a resume! And they dont know what ever and are just planing routes? I think I will pass on this.

[motorboater]

Hmmm, phlebotomists, pre-dentals and one doc-is he licenced in the US?
Its 11/8/09 and no word as to setting sail.

[joethecobbler]

Yea, I guess the departure date gets pushed back once again. I must say I'm not at all suprised. I would be more suprised if the boat ever leaves the dock w/ present crew aboard. the word around the Marina I'm presently at is they are a pack of moochers looking for handouts and the "doctor" is a PHD not an MD. Also, they went begging a while back at the Palm coast yacht club and "ate and Drank" for free and put on a dog and pony show in an attempt to raise funds.
anyone heard or know of anything different I would be interested to learn more.

[badsanta]

Sounds like they need a trip to the Tool academy

[sailingdog]

It does sound like the Dr. and his crew are a bit clueless about how to go about voyage planning... and I wouldn't put much faith into them ever leaving the dock.