Last November (2008) the Adkins family was joined by a new member - Morwenna. In Cornish Morwenna means beautiful maiden but in this case she is a 26' Macgregor trailer-sailer rather than flesh and blood. We've had a few adventures already so I'll summarise the story so far....

Saturday 8th November 2008 - picked up Morwenna from Raymond Sabbah of Sea Dunes Sailing. By the time we had had the Prado serviced, driven all over the place to find a tow ball hitch to fit, etc. it was late afternoon and time to just head home. During the week I booked Morwenna into the Boat House to have her engine fitted and to be anti-fouled but they couldn't do it for another week.

Sunday 16th November 2008 - dropped Morwenna at the Boat House. The Honda 50hp four-stroke engine was delivered there the next day.

Thursday 20th November 2008 - now having the certified invoices for the boat and engine I started the task of registering her with the Dubai authorities. Tariq has written some excellent Instructions for Boat Registration - many thanks for this. First two steps, paperwork at Ministry of Communications and first Coastguard visit, no problems.

Monday 24th November 2008 - the top coat of anti-fouling was delayed in going on so I only get to pick up Morwenna now. Anyway, she is looking smart with her engine on and new paint. We had been to the Jaddaf chandleries and Knotika to get the necessary numbers and safety equipment so a final trip to the Coastguard and we could set sail!

Thursday 27th November 2008 - took Morwenna to the Coastguard. Inspection passed no problem but then it all fell apart. Where is the signature from the previous owner to say he sold it? There is no previous owner - it is brand new. Where did you buy it? From the agent here in Dubai. Where did he buy it from? From the factory in America. How did it get here? By ship. Where are the shipping papers? I don't have them - I bought it from the agent. Get them.

So no sailing that weekend. I got the Customs papers from Raymond however.

Sunday 30th November 2008 - return to Coastguard. Submit papers - still a problem. The certified invoice is dated 1st November, the customs papers show clearance through customs on 3rd November. How can you have an invoice dated before the boat is in the country? I paid the first instalment in June, the final instalment in September - this invoice is just the formal invoice summary. It must be wrong - fix it.

Frustration!

Monday 1st December 2008 - I returned to the Coastguard, this time with Raymond and he has a file full of paperwork. Fortunately Raymond speaks enough Arabic to get us through and eventually we get the stamped, signed piece of paper. I drive across town and the final step of getting the certificate from the Ministry of Communications was easy. By 1030 I have the registration certificate in my hand, which is just as well since at 1pm all the government departments shut down for a ten day combined National Day holiday and Eid al Adha. It was registration or bust, and fortunately we made it. Be glad this is the summary version....