Conclusion of the Stardate Voyage
While we are getting the boat ready for the short 1 day
crossing of the Florida Straight, newly made friends in Varadero come to bit
us farewell.
We tell them about our surreal experience at Papa's the day before. Theyare
very amused but not surprised. Having been in the country for years, they have
heard similar stories They explain: Cuba wanted to become a world class tourist
destination, but it realized that there was no know-how. So they sent hundreds
of people to friendly, East European countries to study the fine art of pampering
foreign tourists with impeccable taste, service, attention to detail and especially:
fine food.
When they came back they needed to be employed. So big money was spent on the
restoration and outfitting of existing facilities whether they were suitably
located or not. Market research was an unknown science in communist Cuba and
the country paid a heavy price for its education.
As Havana disappears into an ugly smog we contemplate our incredible experiences
while in Cuba. It has only been three weeks.but we feel lucky to have had an
opportunity to visit this unique country and to be able now to speak with
some degree of authority about it.
Filled with mixed feelings we don't talk much and almost scoot by Fort Lauderdale
because we don't realize the Northerly force of the Gulf Stream. We're doing
12 miles over the ground.
We dock Stardate in one of Lauderdale's fancy marinas. I tell the crew what
the rules are. Nobody gets off the boat until we are cleared by the USCS and
Immigration except me to report the arrival.
Bill Ruff, anticipating a search with sniffing dogs, thinks he is funny by spreading
fresh pepper all over the inside of the boat. By the time I notice it it is
too late to undo the damage.
I report the names, nationalities, passport numbers of my crew members as required
and they tell me they will be inspecting the vessel in about half an hour. I
go back to the boat and tell the crew to stay put until the inspection is over
and we get the official clearance. Well, half an hour is tolerable, so they
behave. Trouble is that nothing happens in half an hour and nothing happens
in an hour, so I get on the phone again. "It won't be long now,they are
underway"................
When a caravan of "official" vehicles enters the marina parking lot
across from the docks we have no idea that all this attention is for us. There
are at least 10 heavily armed officers complete with sniffing dogs heading directly
for us. I am ready to bit them a hearty welcome and worry that our visit to
Cuba has something to do with the war mongering welcome party. "You captain
Ruff?" one of the officers ask me. "There is no captain Ruff on this
boat, I am the captain and the only "Ruff" aboard is this guy here"."
Mr. Ruff?" "yea says Bill, that's me". "Follow me please"
says the Customs man and leads Bill away to one of the cars. The
others ask and get permission to board to inspect and search for drugs. They
smell the pepper so they are suspicious, double check everything
and still come up empty handed. They have no choice but to clear us and they
do. When they leave Bill returns from his interogation.
"Captain" Ruff, as it turns out, used to skipper his own FD-12 named
Sneeki Tiki and spent at least a year in Hawaii and got caught dealing or possessing
drugs. His name was still gracing the USCS computers nationwide and when they
matched my crew list against their "usual suspects" list they decided
to come and get him.
Bill had never told me about his run-in with the US Government. If he had he
could have spared me the agony of running afoul with Uncle. But all is well
that ends well, Bill apologizes and we all go to the marina bar and have a double
of something potent.
As for myself, I had slowly come to a major decision. I want to return to Cuba.
The Soviet Union is falling apart, Cuba must servive without its massive support
.We haven't notice any shortages, but they will come.
I will use my own boat to transport charter passengers from Florida to Cuba
to help with the upkeep and expenses. I will also take badly needed medical
supplies, vitamins, medicines and powdered milk as I can lay my hands on and
deliver them to NGO's, Churches, etc. How I will accomplish all that is a big
question mark.But my foreseeable future is now charted.
Suddenly, I can't wait to get home to prepare the boat for future plans, the
outfitting, the voyage from Seattle to Cuba.
But word has it that the owner of Stardate will now meet us not in Lauderdale
as we expected but in Charleston S.C.. Ah well, a few more days isn't going
to make a big difference, so we sail the boat to Charleston, we turn the command
over to the owner, Bill decides to crew for the owner all the way to England.
Big Ed is in a hurry to get back and Lucho has an invitation to visit England.
It has been the perfect overture to my next adventure. I am thankful to a wonderful
crew, a fabulous opportunity, a trusting boat owner and lots of good "joss"
along the way.Conclusion "Stardate" voyage,