New world cruiser has questions

[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.

I would really appreciate any and all advice we could get regarding the navigation of this route but more specifically anything having to do with entering port in these countries. What complications may we run into? We also have a boat dog and cat, how may this change the entrance process?

I welcome any other topics as well

Thanks!

Please visit our website at Floatingdoctors.com for more information. Many more pictures on our Facebook page (Floating Doctors)

[donradclife]

Look at the country-by-country entrance requirements on noonsite.com

Best to leave the dog and cat home.

You need air cover. You should communicate with each country in advance, explain your program, and make sure that you are welcome. In most cases you will develop a local contact who can expedite your formalities.

[ianhlnd]

You are to be applauded n your humanitarian endeavors. In regards to your specific questons

If your cat and dog aren't eaten in Haiti, they probably won't be. For all the others suggest you check out Noonsite: The global site for cruising sailors for all entry procedures

[smackdaddy]

Ian - where are you these days? it's good to see you around, mate.

PS - Welcome to SN FDoc!

[LWinters]

Hey Floating Drs! I've just followed a very similar route to Panama from Houston, TX hitting Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Colombia, & Panama. I sail with a 60 lb Siberian husky and haven't had a single issue with her on board. The customs and immigration procedures are generally very quick and painless in all the countries I've visited so far.

For info on both navigation and clearing in for Mexico and Belize pick up Cpt Freya Rauschers guide to Belize and Mexico's Caribbean Coast. Excellent guide. Not much worth a damn out there for Honduras, Nicaragua, & Costa Rica. Truth told Nicaragua and Costa Rica's Caribbean coast are not set at all for cruising boats. No facilities at all that I was able to discover in Nicaragua and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica is accessible, but rarely used. If you do enter Limon anchor in the main turning basin near the pier lights as theft has occurred further out in the small islands outside the pier.

Feel free to hit me directly with a message if you have specific questions. Do make sure to get a USDA health certificate for both animals before you leave. Even expired it smooths entry procedures for those countries who will care if you have animals on board or not.

Lee

[daurgo2001]

Wow... this sounds like an amazing trip... You guys wouldn't be needing any deck hands would you?

[tdw]

Posting the same message to multiple forums and/or threads is against the rules. Please don't do it again.

Duplicate threads have been deleted and/or merged.

I'm presuming you are legit and not a scam so nothing else is being done but don't push it, OK ?

[FloatingDoctors]

Sorry about the messages I'm kinda a newb to the whole forum thing I didn't know.

Thank you all for your advice and warm wishes! Noonsite is amazing and so very helpful. We have communicated with most of the countries we will be visiting and we will be contacting those which we have not yet prior to our departure. We will definitely consider your anchoring recommendations and as far as deckhands go, please visit our website at www.floatingdoctors.com and email us your resume! Ryan McCormick is the one to email. Thank you all again and please if there is anything else that any of you think of please don't hesitate to let me know!!

[Yorksailor]

How are you handling potential medical licensing issues if you plan to practice medicine in several different countries?

[Capt.Fred]

Unless things have changed, the entrance to the Rio Dulce at Livingston Guatemale is a narrow channel about 6' deep out in a large expanse of water, How much do you draw? You can reach the interior up the Rio and many tiny villages along Lake Isabel. I remember saying to a young boy at a beautiful little hamlet. "why is every thing so clean, where is all the garbage?" He replyed; "We have a special place to bury garbage and I love my counrty so much, that I would never allow a piece of paper or garbage to be anywhere." I was touched. I think about our Land where we even build roads in our parks for the garbage trucks...??