Long dirty drive and a few connections.

This morning I left Managua with my friend Alvaro to try and get my boat released from the Nica Navy. First we went to Puerto Sandino where the boat is being held, spent about an hour with the tenente to find out what we had to do. Seems we had to first find out where the Marena inspector was so after a few phone calls found out he was in Chinendega. So we drove another hour and found him. Turns out that Alvaro used to be a student of his in maritime school. He said if we could get the boat cleared from the navy colonel in puerto Corinto he would help us get past La Morena. So we went to Puerto Corinto (another hour drive) and found the navy base. The Marino at the gate wouldnt let us in, but finally went off to talk to the colonel....He said come back next Tuesday at 9 am. Well I have been through this stuff enough times so that Next Tuesday might be the first Tuesday in February. So alvaro tells me He has a brother who is a Colonel in the army who might be able to help. So back we go to Managua (three hours) and find one brother of his who knows where the Colonel brother lives. Off we go again and meet him talk about stuff, family, fishing etc. Then Alvaro brings up the subject. He will talk to a friend of the colonel in Corinto who is also a Colonel and try to grease things.

Sounds like it will work out with minimal fines and a lot of lost fishing time over 10 pounds of small lobsters. But without connections it could be a lot worse.