So this yacht "captain" sails into Prince Rupert Bay in Dominica from Guadeloupe. He disembarks two passengers (with detailed instructions on how to find customs and immigration) without clearing in and sails off for his home port of Martinique.
Several hours later he is overtaken by the Dominican Coast Guard (go figure; a 35 knot motor vessel versus a 5 knot sailboat) and taken into custody.
He apparently was not treated with a great deal of courtesy, which he thought quite uncivilized. The man had broken THEIR laws (actually it's pretty much the same law internationally), quite flagrantly and had assumed that a "banana republic" like Dominica was just going to let him do as he damn well pleased.
Unfortunately, he was wrong and after a us$4000.00 fine he and his boat were told to leave the country immediately, which he did. I think had I been the magistrate I would have impounded his vessel and imprisoned him for a month or so, as well as the fine, so I guess he was pretty lucky.
His final comment was, "Dominica, never again". Like they did something wrong? Get a grip!
Several hours later he is overtaken by the Dominican Coast Guard (go figure; a 35 knot motor vessel versus a 5 knot sailboat) and taken into custody.
He apparently was not treated with a great deal of courtesy, which he thought quite uncivilized. The man had broken THEIR laws (actually it's pretty much the same law internationally), quite flagrantly and had assumed that a "banana republic" like Dominica was just going to let him do as he damn well pleased.
Unfortunately, he was wrong and after a us$4000.00 fine he and his boat were told to leave the country immediately, which he did. I think had I been the magistrate I would have impounded his vessel and imprisoned him for a month or so, as well as the fine, so I guess he was pretty lucky.
His final comment was, "Dominica, never again". Like they did something wrong? Get a grip!
