Pacific Puddle Jump and the Pacific Posse

[hilogirl]

Originally Posted by trimarannaga

Re the pacific Puddle jump, we signed up for this back in 2018 to facilitate our entry into french polynesia. We had a simple time with clearing in once we arrived in the marquesas, and never once encountered another boat on this supposed rally, because it's not really a rally, there is no set departure time or point, no specific place to enter french polynesia, and I believe somewhere along the way there may have been one or two parties or dinners for those who signed up, but we never met up with anyone in the program. We cleared into Nuku Hiva with ease, sailed around the marquesas a bit, then moved on to Fakarava, stayed there diving with sharks a few weeks, then moved on to Tahiti and cleared out in Huahini.
We are now in Vanuatu where we have been stuck for 2 years. We are the only foreign cruisers here and we are for the most part not able to move around by boat, simply because the people who live here in Vanuatu are afraid of us. They dont want us anchoring in front of thier villages, they see the boat sailing and call the authorities, they think we all have Covid and we have been threatened with burning and killing and drowning, even tho we have permission to be here and sail.
So,, now the government is asking us to leave, we have exceeded the allowed 18 months to be a visitor here. But go where, we dont know, because most borders are still closed, and its cyclone season, so we may be forced to fly out, leaving the boat here for an unspecified amount of time, because the borders here are still closed.
I tell you all this because I want you to know what you are getting yourselves into by setting sail when so many countries in the south pacific dont want us here and many borders are still closed. The necessary protocols for entering the open countries have become complex and difficult and likely will only get more so. Health and travel insurance. Repatriation Insurance. Going thru an agent. Quarantine. Delayed or impossible access to getting a visa for which the application fees are non-refundable. Changing rules and regulations.
We came here to sail, not to deal with beurocracy. But instead of giving our full attention to safety and weather and boat issues, we are fighting governments and rules, and this is simply dangerous.

We' live in Vanuatu, Efate. There are safe anchorages & moorings even a small marina near us. May be we can help.