Guns and champagne

crew mess
Originally uploaded by darenpackham

After crossing over 4000 nautical miles of open ocean and securing alongside to the quay, you would think that your serious troubles were over. The dangers and challenges provided by the ever changing environment of the Atlantic ocean are one thing. When you tie up your ship in "the Land of the Free" you then have to deal with Homeland Security! That is another thing all together!!!! The guys with the uniforms and guns and the big boots are your very unfriendly and slightly intimidating welcome commitee.

They actually seemed slightly un happy that all the paperwork on board was in order and that there was no one to send home or to Guantanamo Bay.

As soon as they took their big boots and guns off the boat the mood lifted and the champagne was popped. The end of a safe crossing and the start of a busy winter season.