29 Sep 06 - 30 Sep 06 - To Den Helden

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We departed from Dover with direction Den Helden in The Netherlands.

It was mostly a uneventful journey, except when we arrived at Den Helden at 1 in night on the 30th.

We tried to get into it to moore for the remaining of the night. However the entrace was very narrow, and the marina seemingly quite compact. We opted out of it again before we damaged something or ourselfs, and decided to anchor about 2nm away.

At first we hoped to get someplace to moore outside the marina, but Den Helder is 99% Naval base and 1% commercial and yacht harbour, so it was impossible. As we didnt have enough fuel to get to the next stop, Cuxhaven in Germany, we had to figure out some solution.

While we tried to call different people and authorities on phone and VHF, the Netherlands Coastguard responded, and decided to take a closer look at who we were.

We got a team of 5 people in a fast going boat lowered from a coast guard vessel, of which 2 boarded the ship and searched it and asked us questions.

Actually I was quite relieved that they came aboard, as they perhaps could come with some clues as to where to fuel. With our boom sticking out the side, the nightly experience didnt make us happy for a day try again.

The coastguard people were very friendly indeed, and helped us alot. It was something of an experience, including drug dog, special search crew, tee and ice on board, a trip by their fast going boat and more. Story will be expanded on when Ive got some time... along with pictures of the crew and vessels :)

We are about to depart for Cuxhaven Germany now at 16:00 on the 30.Sep. I just had the chance to update the site as there is internet access here.