Pup Passport Paperwork

Importing a pet into a foreign country involves many steps. Check out the US APHIS website for detailed information on requirements of various countries.

Here is what we went through importing Sunshine into the BVI, back into the USA (evacuation from hurricanes) and then Europe.

Importing a dog into the British Virgin Islands:

You need the following items in order to proceed with importing your dog into the BVI:

• three original rabies certificates with the vet's signature (NO COPIES and they prefer blue ink) of the past three years. The microchip number MUST be on each rabies certificate. 
• rabies titer certificate with the sticker from the FAVN office in Kansas (this process takes over a month, so plan ahead)
• vet records (vaccinations, health history, etc) The BVI requires a Lyme disease vaccination, which is given in two parts, a month apart (we took care of this in CA).
• international microchip
• BVI import permit (2 pages)

The first step after you have made your travel plans is to ensure you have enough time to obtain a health certificate. The certificate must be within 10 days of travel and also allow time to get it endorsed by the USDA vet (usually located in the capital of the state you are in). You have the option of mailing it in, but we didn't want to take the risk of not receiving it in time.

We got Sunshine's health certificate after an exam and answering all the questions on the form.
We then had a bit of panic--Sunshine's FAVN titer test form had a typo. The last four digits did not match her scanned microchip. After a lot of phone calls and emails, we had two letters written to verify Sunshine was indeed the dog matching the records. We had a letter each written by our vet back in CA and the one who completed the certificate in SC (a huge thanks to Dr. Isabel and her staff at Myrtle Beach Animal Hospital--they were amazing and super helpful in our time of need). The vet in CA admitted the typo mistake and promised they would request and pay for an amended form from the FAVN office. (We finally received the amended form three months later--in November; again after calling every few days inquiring).

Upon receipt of the health certificate, we drove straight to the USDA vet's office (this appointment was made ahead of time). While en route, (it was a 4 hour drive) I emailed a combined PDF file of her completed health certificate, rabies certificates, FAVN titer test, verification letters, and vet records to the BVI department of agriculture, veterinarian's office. They replied quickly with an import permit and once I emailed them the endorsed copy from the USDA vet, we would receive the final signed permit with permission to import Sunshine.

We also had to have the BVI state they would not euthanize Sunshine upon arrival, as we were a bit worried about the FAVN form typo. The USDA vet would not endorse her until she saw that the letters addressing the typo would be accepted by the BVI. Finally, after a tense afternoon and $140, it all worked out and we were on our way to the airport.

Side note: Everything that can go wrong WILL: While driving south to Miami to catch our flight, we noticed Sunny was acting strange. She stopped eating and drinking. After arriving to Cape Canaveral we found an animal hospital and had x-rays done. We discovered she had something in her small intestines. Now, those of you who know Sunny's history, won't be surprised at this (a year ago, she had two bouncy balls removed from her intestines). She underwent surgery to remove a rock and we were faced with the possibility of having to leave her behind with a friend (we weren't sure she would be allowed into the BVI in this condition). After another tense 24 hours, phone calls and emails, we decided to take her with us, as our flight was three days later and she would be out of the critical stage.

The airport caused another two-day delay due to not allowing her to fly in temperatures over 84 degrees. Jared and the kids flew on, and I stayed behind with Sunny. It was a very stressful time, but we were on our way after booking a late night flight and a miracle (the temp was 85 degrees and the clerk almost declined us our flight again until I showed the the temp was dropping and would be below 84 degrees way before the flight actually took off).

Another part of the import process is to email your flight details to the department of agriculture, so they can have a vet meet you in customs. I had to change the date of arrival a couple of times. Fortunately, the BVI customs officers were great about allowing her a later entry than was on the permit. Arriving to the Tortola airport, the vet met me, looked Sunshine over, checked the paperwork, and we were finally on our way to the boat.


**In order to get Sunny imported back into the USA, she only needed a one page certificate from an island vet. That was it. We were able to show all her docs, and they did verify the rabies and titer test.**

Importing a dog into the European Union (Greece in our case):

You need the following items in order to proceed with importing your dog into the EU:

• three original rabies certificates with the vet's signature (NO COPIES) of the past three years. The microchip number MUST be on each rabies certificate. 
• rabies titer certificate with the sticker from the FAVN office in Kansas (this process takes over a month, so plan ahead)
• vet records (vaccinations, health history, etc) She also got a tapeworm treatment, just in case we enter one of the countries that require it.
• international microchip (and the certificate of when it was implanted). This certificate was NOT required for the BVI, however, I happened to have it in Sunshine's records.
• import permit for the country you are visiting (in our case the health certificate form and the import permit were the same and were 8 pages).

A few days before we were due to fly out, I scheduled both the health certificate appointment and the USDA endorsement appointment. We needed the date within 10 days of travel and I wanted to buy as much time as possible in case of future delays.  After an exam and review of the import permit/health certificate requirements, we had everything we needed and drove off to the USDA office for endorsement. We arrived a bit early and I handed over the forms to be reviewed by the USDA vet. They told me to take a seat as it would be a few minutes. The woman in line after me had issues with her paperwork--the FAVN form had a typo and did not match her dog's microchip number. I guess this is a pretty common issue. Word to the wise: DOUBLE CHECK all of your pet's paperwork to ensure all the numbers match!

15 minutes and $38 later, we were done and on our way. We had a 6 hour drive to the airport (only one with a non-stop flight to Greece). I scanned in copies of everything while en route (better to have digital copies just in case). We are currently in transit, so I will update on how this import process went after we get through it and are on the boat! =)

Logistics

Part of being a constant traveller (and that is now a very accurate description of our family), involves research, and some places involve more than others. It is safe to say I now know more about various countries on our agenda than ever before. We had originally planned on starting out in the Med and then changed our minds when our broker convinced us it was easier to buy a boat in the Caribbean. Yeah, that may be true, but throw in a couple of hurricanes and our plans were majorly screwed up. So, I find it ironic that here we are planning on re-starting our sailing adventure...back in the Med.

For whatever reason, fate has pointed us back in this direction, and so we prepare to head off on this path, once again. I had done a little research a year or so ago, but now that we are actually buying a boat there, I needed more specific information. Being as we will start out in Greece, I am currently reading up on activities, places to visit, restaurants, islands, dog import requirements, and ports along our route west.

Due to the travel visas being suspended between the USA and Turkey, we had to figure out how to take possession of the vessel. Since we could not be in Turkey, we decided our surveyor would represent us and assist the captain (appointed and insured by The Moorings) with the delivery to Greece. We will then move aboard and be on our merry way. Or will we? We still have to wait for the paperwork so we can check out of the country and make our way towards the Atlantic. We have heard this can be a couple of weeks to over 6 months! We are working with our broker now to ensure we have a quick turn-around and our running papers in hand when we take ownership. This involves the use of a documentation agent, which requires their own separate fees. At least, we can be sure everything is handled correctly and will ease our way through customs.

We expect to close sometime around the 15th of November, but this all hinges on the results of the survey, haul-out, and sea trial. This all took place last week. We are now waiting for the response from the seller as to what items they will repair. After these have been completed, our surveyor will conduct a follow-up survey and if all is well, sign off. Then, and only then, can the close of escrow date be scheduled and the delivery can follow afterwards. All of these factors have to align before we can purchase our airfare and find a temporary place to stay while we await the delivery. I imagine it will be like dominoes, as one falls into place, the rest will follow.

On another note, we have our two pallets of stuff we shipped to St Thomas (that is still there, miraculously) that we need to pick up. If it looks like we are going to be stuck due to paperwork, I want to be able to press the "ship now" button. If we can leave soon, then we will just pick it up when we sail back to the islands. It would be nice to have it all before we make the Atlantic crossing though, as our foulies and all sorts of other much needed items are there. We are getting closer, but there are still lots of stuff to figure out!

A Tribute to RoundAbout

As any boat owner will tell you, it is more than just a boat. It is part of you, a member of your family, and for those of us who live aboard, your home. It still hurts to think of the state she is in. Sad, broken, and in need of great repair. There is hope though, so read on for an update on our home and what is in store for the crew of RoundAbout.

While we did lose our home and most everything on board, we were safe and sound when the storms hit. The positive besides safety, is that we were fully insured. Due to friends finding our vessel the day after Irma hit, the photos they sent allowed us to submit our claim rather quickly. In fact, we were the first claim our insurance received!

Once we learned Irma was heading our way, we prepped as best we could. We could not have run from the storm, as we had just purchased her, and moved aboard. We did not have the proper "out at sea" equipment, we didn't even have a dingy! As an ex-charter boat, she was equipped for cruising around the islands, not the open blue. We had to do what was best to keep our family safe, and so we tied RoundAbout in a spiderweb of thick dock-lines, took down all sails to reduce windage, surrounded her with fenders, hired our friend Travis to manage her, and hoped for the best.

We evacuated out the day before Irma hit and despite our best efforts, we could only sit by and wait to hear of RoundAbout's fate after Maria came barreling through a week later. Jared made it as far as Puerto Rico, but could not secure transport to Tortola and so returned stateside just before the storm. We did make contact with a crane company the day before Maria, but they only said they "would do their best to secure her". It never happened.

She was mostly in the same spot on the sea wall, resting on her rudders. A floating dock scraped the starboard hull, creating about a 12" crack. This allowed water to enter the starboard cabins. We received reports of water activating the bilge pumps. The pumps were successfully keeping the water at bay. However, after a week, the batteries ran dead and the pumps stopped working. I couldn't help imagining what it must have looked like, as the water crept into our home. Our sons' cabins were on this side and all of their belongings. Their clothing, toys, books, and little mementos from friends were now becoming submerged. As the water level rose, RoundAbout's starboard side began to slowly sink under the weight of it all. The water came up to the steps leading down from the saloon. You can imagine the state of this water, not being clear, but murky instead, filled with diesel, debris, and all sorts of things leaking from submerged vessels; not what you'd want inside your home.

To add salt to our wounds, someone stole ALL of our fenders, new dock-lines, and broke into our boat. Our go-pro and all related equipment (which was my birthday gift from Jared and had hundreds of family photos) was taken, along with our VHF handhelds, the kids' walkie-talkies, and other items.

For additional photos and drone footage, you can check them out on our blog's facebook page.

We then received news that our insurance did NOT want the vessel, so it would be our responsibility to handle the salvage and disposal. On October 6th, we received a frantic call from Clive stating that there was only ONE spot on the barge and if we wanted our boat on it, it had to be NOW. What choice did we have? We had to take that spot, or risk causing further damage. After speaking with the salvage company, we learned it was going to be $8k to lift RoundAbout from where she rested and placed onto land in the boat graveyard. We just received an invoice for $12k. What?! We know of others that were only charged $8k, and some of those were completely sunk and had to be brought up from the bottom of the marina. For those of you waiting to have your boat lifted, check around to see what others are being charged, before you agree with the salvage company.

On top of this cost, we would also face storage fees from the marina. We had to figure out something or this was going to add up quick. As if in answer to our prayers, we began receiving emails from blog followers asking us if we would consider selling RoundAbout, despite her damaged state. Apparently, there are a lot of people out there who buy damaged boats at a great discount and then restore them to either sell or keep for themselves. All were very respectful in asking and we appreciate it. Thank you.

Jared flew back to the island to sort this all out. The port side was completely dry, as was the majority of the saloon! Our starboard cabins and engine room was submerged, and so work began to "pickle" the engine to prevent damage. The engine can remain this way for months and still be good to go! Jared also had the task of removing our belongings off the boat. There was a lot that just went into the trash due to the condition. However, he did manage to save a few things. For example, Zach's stuffed fox was up on the top shelf and was perfectly fine! He ran into a dock neighbor and they helped each other rescue things off each other's boats and tossed it all into a barrel of disinfectant. After soaking in this, they ran them through the wash. He said a final farewell to RoundAbout and left the island.

After Jared sent me the videos and photos, I created the advertisement for RoundAbout and posted it online. Our broker could not believe the number of emails he received; so many that the server shut down! We were also overwhelmed with messages on facebook and our email inbox. All this interest made me hopeful that RoundAbout would actually sail again someday! A few days later, she was sold. I know that RoundAbout will be lovingly restored and perhaps we will see her out sailing around the islands in the future. To RoundAbout and her new owner: we truly loved our home, as she was the perfect vessel for us. Wishing all the best with her restoration and we look forward to seeing her out on the water again someday.

So, now what? Well, shortly after the insurance declared CTL (constructive total loss) on our boat, we began our search for another floating home. We knew we wanted another Leopard 46, as after all, ours survived TWO Cat 5 hurricanes (it was the floating dock that did her in)! That is a testament to the build quality, right there. I'll admit we briefly entertained the idea of other boats, but after comparing them to the features of the Leopard, we just knew it wouldn't be a good decision for us.

 After we began our search, we learned the inventory was very, very low. So low, that the only ones available were in the South Pacific or Europe (there were four total). Then, a couple of listings popped up in the US and Caribbean. The prices had been increased dramatically, as if the sellers realized their opportunity at this newly created 'sellers market'. One evening, I was looking over the listings and just felt good about one of them. I kept going back to it for some reason, despite the boat being in Turkey. We then found a listing in Belize, but it had gone under contract the day before we put in our offer. So, perhaps, this one in the Mediterranean was meant to be, after all. We put in our offer and it was accepted less than  hours later! We received the news as we were having lunch with the kids. Jared looked up with tears in his eyes and held up the email on his phone. We were overjoyed! We had a home!

After this sunk in, the reality of figuring out the logistics to get to the boat took over. I immediately began researching flights, hotels, and 'all things Turkey'. We visited the Annapolis boat show and replaced some of our gear. We were making progress towards resuming our life afloat!

I had just purchased our flight and submitted applications for our e-visas, when Jared looked up from his computer and said "We won't be going to Turkey. They have stopped all visas". After a quick Google search, I read the news on the political situation involving the US and Turkey. Back to square one, with the main question being how would we take delivery of a boat when we couldn't get to it?

We posed this question to our broker and the seller (a charter company). After many emails and phone calls, we came to the idea of having the boat delivered to the neighboring country of Greece. We also asked for the seller to deliver it under their insurance (we didn't want to lose out on our investment if something went wrong while underway). This past week, we received news that our request had been granted; as they received special permission to deliver the boat to Athens. We would be able to close escrow and take ownership there. Things are finally falling into place.

Stay tuned for the details on RoundAbout 2.0!

And yes, we are keeping the name RoundAbout. While we submitted paperwork to rename her from Laura Ann to RoundAbout, we didn't have time for the official renaming ceremony. This means, we can still use the it. I don't think there could be a more perfect name, with all that we've been through. We will continue this sailing adventure; just in a round-about way! 

Boat for Sale

**UPDATE as of 10-29-17: RoundAbout has been sold. Thank you for all of your emails and we were quite overwhelmed at all of the interest!**

We have had quite a few emails asking about buying RoundAbout, despite her current condition. Let me just say, that she is STILL an awesome boat that just needs some TLC to make her sail again.
Note from our family: We LOVED this boat. As a family of 5, she was perfect for us. To whoever buys her, you are getting one heck of a deal on an AMAZING vessel. 

She is a 2010 Leopard 46 catamaran, charter version. We just purchased her in August before the hurricanes.
Link to the old listing with all the details can be found here.

Our broker has the CURRENT details as to the condition of the vessel, photos of how she looks now, and what is all included. The port hull and saloon completely dry, never submerged. Starboard hull was submerged (dock punctured the starboard side and it flooded--has been pumped out and put on the hard). You can check out our blog's facebook page, as well, for some photos from Jared's visit to the island over this past weekend.

For those interested in purchasing our boat and want to view the current condition of the vessel:

Please contact our broker, Clive Allen, for photos and details: clive.allen@bviyachtsales.com

Email is best, as phones are not reliable yet on the island. There is a brief description and photos on the BVI Yacht Sales webpage.
Direct link to RoundAbout's listing.

Here is a note from Clive (internet is challenging there at the moment, so please be patient as he works to respond to everyone):

Hello,

Firstly, please do excuse this generic e-mail, though due to the ridiculous level of enquiries, I feel it the most fair and correct way.

BVI Yacht Sales Ltd are handling the sale for the owners of 'Round About' and as a well-established yacht brokerage, all normal ethics and principals as laid out by the YBAA shall apply.

'Round About' spent more than a week with both transforms on the main marina concrete bulkhead and fully afloat, with the bilge pumps keeping up with water ingress which entered via a 12" crack on her forward starboard hull just below the waterline. (not a hole) Then when the batteries ran flat, that starboard hull started to fill and over the following week, filled with water, including her starboard engine room also. (engine is still submerged as water remain in the engine room space but will soon be emptied and engine pickled.)

No mast as it broke in 3 pieces.

She was salvaged the 7th October and now is dry stored on her keels.

Storage will be settled to the end of October (assuming sold prior) for the successful purchaser and the vessel will be free of all liens and incumbrances. Salvage fee has already been paid in full.

She is CTL, (complete total loss) as declared by the surveyor and insurers.

Here is the link to pictures;

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Occ6EUlnNfBdldnO2 

Unfortunately, we are not able to obtain quotes for repairs and it has become very apparent that in such situations with such vessels, it is for all interested parties to go on what they have and decide accordingly.

The vessel is dry sorted here in Nanny Cay Tortola and for their rates etc please check; www.nannycay.com   

It is a full service marina with all trades available and owners/ crew etc are allowed to work on their own vessel. (please take note of the ‘laydays’ section in the boatyard section.)

Their policies are being reviewed this week for the new owners that buy these CTL or damaged boats but I believe it will be something like; rather than the normal 3 month upfront payment for dry storage, I think they will ask for 6 months advance and also a $10k USD payment to be held in Escrow in case any of these owners decide they have bitten off more than they can chew, hence this money will be used for disposing of the vessel, should that happen.

Good luck to all and I am sure 'Round About' will be sold very, very soon.

Clive Allen

Yacht Broker BVI Yacht Sales Ltd 

Island Recovery and an Update on RoundAbout

s/v RoundAbout in the wreckage yard 

Jared has traveled back to the islands to deliver supplies twice now, helping out in Puerto Rico, as well as the BVI.

He is presently on island again to sort out RoundAbout, now that she is in the wreckage yard. It is now our responsibility to sort out the disposal and avoid storage costs. Apparently, there are people looking to buy wrecked vessels, so we hope to have the sale take place while he is there.

While we were fortunate enough to get her pulled out of the water, a lot of damage was done. It hurts my heart to see our home this way.  As you will see in the drone video below, there are still a lot of sunken vessels in the marina and thousands more damaged on land. There are so many who lost not only their homes, but their businesses as well. So, what about recovery?

The islands are resilient and have already begun working their way to recovery. Restaurants, hotels, and charter companies are opening back up. This saying has been going around the island and it is so true: "Our sand is still golden, our water still blue, and the drinks are cold"!
These photos were taken AFTER the hurricanes! #bvistrong #isandstrong #recovery

The latest reports are that the islands will be ready for tourism next month! It is critical to the rebuild effort to have tourist dollars. Please come visit! You will make a major difference and enjoy a lovely vacation! We can hardly wait to get back! Here is a link to the latest info for tourism.
Another link to the BVI Tourism board.

We have been amazed at all of the support we've received and believe me, we are truly grateful. You keep our hearts full! To address some of the questions we've received:

What are your plans? We don't use the word "plan" anymore. Because, well, just look at the past month. We are under contract for another boat, another Leopard 46 that is currently in the Med. Why another Leopard? We are fans for life, after seeing ours survive TWO category 5 hurricanes, one being a direct hit! It was the failed docks that sunk her, not the hurricanes.

A preliminary survey takes place on the 18th, with the in-depth survey and sea trial around the end of the month. We are anticipating taking delivery early November and sailing through to make an Atlantic crossing sometime in December or early January (making sure hurricanes are not in the forecast and that the weather is clear for the passage). The passage from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean is usually about 2-3 weeks. We will hire a captain to take us across, this being our first ocean crossing and the need for appeasing our insurance.

From there, we anticipate resuming our life afloat in the islands and assisting with recovery efforts. Jared, a civil engineer, will work on rebuild efforts, while Stef will work with the education sector.

How are the kids handling all of this? You know, they are pretty great kids and have dealt with all the chaos brilliantly! We are continuing their homeschool routine and taking field trips to local historic sites. They are excited to move aboard our new boat and exploring new places. Swimming from the boat is high up on the list.

How is Sunny? Our sailing pup is doing just fine! She has been to the vet for another checkup, and is healthy and happy! She is enjoying playing with the kids, going for walks, and exploring. She does NOT like being apart from us and follows us everywhere. Yep, even if one of us goes to shower, she is right there next to the tub. Separation anxiety, for sure. We are hoping this eases as time goes on.

As a family, we have gone through a lot and have grown stronger because of this. Personally, I have learned a lot about myself and gained a new perspective. What used to cause me stress is NOTHING compared to recent events. Our kids have some life lessons under their belt and learning about determination, perseverance, and most importantly, helping others. As Cadence loves to sing (and has become our family mantra as of late): Don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing is gonna be alright!

Drone videos Jared took this morning:

Video of RoundAbout

Video of Nanny Cay Marina

Starting Over

As promised, here is the latest!

Jared successfully made it back to Tortola to rescue Sunny. It took five cancelled flights before he finally made it there. The airports finally reopened, but with limited services. 

Unfortunately, our boat is mostly underwater. He took some video and photos and said goodbye to our home. 

When we arrived to pick them up from the airport, the kids tumbled out of the car to hug their daddy and Sunny. The smile on Sunny's face was so huge! She was definitely glad to be back with family. Our friends, Karen and Chris, who took such wonderful care of her back on Tortola, are amazing people. They kept her safe and gave her lots of love. Karen said she was Sunny's Godmother, and that is an understatement. She is an angel!

We are now heading to Virginia, where some friends have offered their home to us. We plan on taking the kids to see Colonial Williamsburg (as a 5th grade teacher, I have ALWAYS wanted to go there), and some of the other sights.

Our offer was accepted on a boat, so we are figuring all of that stuff out. We are excited and happy to have a home again soon! It is located in Europe though, so we definitely have a lot of work ahead of us.

So, things are looking up. Slowly but surely, we will be back home on the water and can continue this trip! Maybe, I'll finally be able to teach abroad, after all! The thought makes me happy, because I had been looking forward to that a lot.

Hope all of you are well and I'll keep updating as I can. Thank you for all of your continued support. Having you all cheer us on is a huge help! :)
-Stef