Re: [Paddlewise] Cuba

 Hi Larry and all

No, no, no, the Cubans couldn't care less about US permission. The request
was made about a month before we left FL. The request was accompanied by a
letter from Club Nautico International Hemingway de La Habana with a formal
invitation etc. That along with each yachts US Document, crew lists,
passport data requested US permission.

Blue Water Books has a sheet of info re: the approach as well as general
regulations for entering Cuban Waters. When we were approaching 5 miles of
the outer marker I called The marina on the VHF in my not so great Spanish
and was cleared to the mark in standard "radio Spanish". About 5 minutes
later a most charming voice( somewhat resembling a cruise director) said
"Welcome to Cuba, we are happy you have come to visit". "I will give you
good instructions so you don't hit the dangerous rocks"

Clearing customs took almost 4 hours. The yacht was inspected every time a
new official came on board, Police ( some stupid person had a 357 and had it
confiscated, "you will have no need of violent weapons in our country")It
was returned when we left.

Immigration considerately asked if we preferred not to have our passports
stamped, we thanked them and had our stamp on a scrap of paper.

Customs took about an hour and had three beers.

Dept. of Agriculture is quite concerned that no American bring in any
chicken, either fresh or frozen as America has an aviary disease that they
don't have a lot of other stuff. They will seal this stuff in a special
plastic bag which must be declared upon leaving,,(or else).

There is a huge chain that goes from one side of the channel to the other
along the bottom with a huge gear to crank it up if they want to stop boats
from leaving. Believe me, nothing will get past that chain.

When we reached our dock we were greeted by a pretty young woman in uniform
serving us our first, (of many) Mojitos.

.The paddlers I spoke about were from the country or something, I couldn't
understand a word they said. It took a long time to understand that they
were allowed to "speed train" in the canals but were not allowed to go on
land, board boats or go in the ocean.  I had my dive gear and figured I
would get some fish for dinner, but once "entered" boats, even dinghy's are
not allowed to leave the marina, until they "clear customs to exit" which
takes about 4 hours. With so many Cubans trying to escape they simply will
not allow us the freedom of just kayaking around. Besides it is a tourists
job to spend money.

There are two prices for everything, one for Cubans and one for everyone
else, and the merchants can not deviate from this law. For example: I was
way out in the country with a car and driver, and became thirsty. I ask the
driver to stop when convenient to buy some water for both of us  . His
bottle of water was 2 pesos, mine was 2 US dollars.

rgds. Pat Moss

Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Cuba


> Hail Pat,
> You had written:
> > Hi All, I am back on line. I sailed to Cuba last summer. Key West-
Havana
  : Were you required to fax to the USCG from Marina Hemingway in order to
disembark?  That is did the Cubans demand  permission from the
> USCG? That seems rather bizarre that they would care what the USCG says
about entry into their country..
> I would love to do some paddling around Cuba myself.  Did you see any
kayakers paddling around the Marina area or anywhere on the north coast?
> thanks,
> Larry Koenig
> Baton Rouge, LA
>
>


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