Michael and Calicoba needs your help!
Donation protected
I know now is the worst time to be asking anyone for money, Australia is in a recession and people are unemployed and businesses are shut from the pandemic, but if by any chance your beautiful soul could spare $10 or $20 it would be greatly appreciated and I promise your life be rewarded in one way or another.
Michael is currently facing up to more than $2000 US in unreasonable expenses, as an unexpected problem occurred whilst crossing the panama canal.
Here's the full story!
Due to the covid crises calicoba has been unable to move from a pricey marina in panama for 4 months. No borders are open and yachts are prohibited to move. As cases in Panama are at their extreme its time to get the hell out. There are currently more cases per million than USA. Our only option is to cross the canal and sail towards French Polynesia as they have granted us permission to arrive. We prepared the boat the best we could, even running the engine 3 hours under load whilst tied to the dock.
Yesterday was the big day, we successfully made it through the first 3 locks even with a couple of hours delay because one of the trains holding the big ship broke down. We then motored for 3 hours through the lake before we struck trouble. As Michael opened the engine hatch there was steam and liquid flying everywhere off the belt of the motor. We had to stop before things got worse. As he cleaned the engine up he worked out the pump for the coolant was leaking, we didn't want to run the engine anymore just incase we had more problems. Our advisor on board had already advised us to spend the night in the canal because we wouldn't make it to the other side in time because of the delay earlier. He suggested that we should get towed to the mooring buoy ahead but we knew that would cost us money. Instead we quickly worked out how to attach the outboard motor on the back and could keep the 5 knot speed required in the canal. We tied up to the mooring bouy and the advisor left us, luckily we have reception here and could make phone calls to anyone that could help.
We thought that since we hadn't interrupted any vessels in the process and we were advised to spend the night anyway that fines wouldn't be issued. We definitely thought wrong!
This is what they're slapping us with
$471 for transit delay, $182 for the advisor to be picked up, $54 per day to stay here, $190 for delivery of any part, $190 for an inspection of the vessel to continue, $190 new advisor, $270 for a new pump, $200 for line handlers and $190 to deliver them. We are probably looking at 4-5 nights before we are clear to reschedule and can continue, so a casual $2153 US which is more than the cost of the original booking and I'm sure there will be 7% tax and other expenses.
If your thinking why didn't you just fly home, this is what it would of cost. $2000 Australian for a flight, $3000 Australian to forcefully quarantine in a hotel, $500 US to get the boat out of the water and $500 US a month for it to sit there.
Panama airport has been shut for months and no one knows when it will open, Australia is the same so let's forget that option. With that in mind no crew can fly in and michael needs help sailing Calicoba home. Alexie and myself have been living on board during this pandemic and are willing to help for as long as possible.
Michael hasn't worked for over 6 months, there's continuing boat expenses, there's no welfare during this pandemic and not knowing when he'll be able to earn some money again can be very stressful.
I appreciate anyone that has read this far, we are healthy and safe for now but are desperate to leave panama as soon as possible. Any little donation will put smile on his face and maybe I'll get to see him tear up again Peace and love homies ❤️
Michael is currently facing up to more than $2000 US in unreasonable expenses, as an unexpected problem occurred whilst crossing the panama canal.
Here's the full story!
Due to the covid crises calicoba has been unable to move from a pricey marina in panama for 4 months. No borders are open and yachts are prohibited to move. As cases in Panama are at their extreme its time to get the hell out. There are currently more cases per million than USA. Our only option is to cross the canal and sail towards French Polynesia as they have granted us permission to arrive. We prepared the boat the best we could, even running the engine 3 hours under load whilst tied to the dock.
Yesterday was the big day, we successfully made it through the first 3 locks even with a couple of hours delay because one of the trains holding the big ship broke down. We then motored for 3 hours through the lake before we struck trouble. As Michael opened the engine hatch there was steam and liquid flying everywhere off the belt of the motor. We had to stop before things got worse. As he cleaned the engine up he worked out the pump for the coolant was leaking, we didn't want to run the engine anymore just incase we had more problems. Our advisor on board had already advised us to spend the night in the canal because we wouldn't make it to the other side in time because of the delay earlier. He suggested that we should get towed to the mooring buoy ahead but we knew that would cost us money. Instead we quickly worked out how to attach the outboard motor on the back and could keep the 5 knot speed required in the canal. We tied up to the mooring bouy and the advisor left us, luckily we have reception here and could make phone calls to anyone that could help.
We thought that since we hadn't interrupted any vessels in the process and we were advised to spend the night anyway that fines wouldn't be issued. We definitely thought wrong!
This is what they're slapping us with
$471 for transit delay, $182 for the advisor to be picked up, $54 per day to stay here, $190 for delivery of any part, $190 for an inspection of the vessel to continue, $190 new advisor, $270 for a new pump, $200 for line handlers and $190 to deliver them. We are probably looking at 4-5 nights before we are clear to reschedule and can continue, so a casual $2153 US which is more than the cost of the original booking and I'm sure there will be 7% tax and other expenses.
If your thinking why didn't you just fly home, this is what it would of cost. $2000 Australian for a flight, $3000 Australian to forcefully quarantine in a hotel, $500 US to get the boat out of the water and $500 US a month for it to sit there.
Panama airport has been shut for months and no one knows when it will open, Australia is the same so let's forget that option. With that in mind no crew can fly in and michael needs help sailing Calicoba home. Alexie and myself have been living on board during this pandemic and are willing to help for as long as possible.
Michael hasn't worked for over 6 months, there's continuing boat expenses, there's no welfare during this pandemic and not knowing when he'll be able to earn some money again can be very stressful.
I appreciate anyone that has read this far, we are healthy and safe for now but are desperate to leave panama as soon as possible. Any little donation will put smile on his face and maybe I'll get to see him tear up again Peace and love homies ❤️
Organizer and beneficiary
Samuel Kitchen
Organizer
Katikati, NZ
Michael Pannone
Beneficiary