We were directed to the customs wharf and had Lisa and Murray attend to us. Lisa was the customs part and Murray the immigration. All happened with ease but now they don't stamp passports and last trip we needed proof of return to reactivate our private health insurance. Will look at that when it happens. Next official was Wesley from Gladstone to do the quarantine bit. They now don't have the sniffer dogs we were subjected to last time but they do a thorough timber inspection with photos (1.5hrs). For this you pay $380, the start of haemorrhaging money. Allocated a berth and started the process of importing. First a valuation,by an independent valuer not one attached to a brokerage. so you begin telling them everything that is wrong with your boat in the hope that it won't be overvalued as there is a 5%import duty, then add that to the valuation and tack on 10% GST to get the amount you have to give the Government. That done ($500) he gets someone else to do the paperwork to send off for approval...his fee $300. More blood on the floor. Waiting waiting for the bill to arrive and of course Melbourne Cup day is in the way and skeleton staff can't assist. Then we get a notification for a second timber inspection and another bill for $140. Wayne our paper man said no this is not right they are using a policy that was changed 2 years ago, so he gets on to his contact in the department to sort it out. Again we wait and if she can't help it means another weekend looming to have said inspection.
Thursday and lovely Tracey sends us the papers "Released from Quanartine". And no bill!!!!!!! you can win some sometimes. Have paid the big dollars to import and have the Authority to deal certificate so we can finally leave and head for home.
10 days in the marina have been well used. Headsail restitched, anchor and chain regalvanised and finally the electrics have been sorted. More blood on the floor. I must say the marina fees were a pleasant surprise. Including power and water was $45 per night and for a catamaran that is good value.