St John boat rental

Down at the water, the owner speaking with a thick Caribbean accent started to explain all the features of the boat I would be renting. The craft was a 22 foot single engine model which was only a year or two old. I couldn't believe how many gauges there were. I was just looking for the gas pedal so I could hit the seas. Eventually the owner paused and asked if I had understood everything he had said?
I just nodded and at that point he asked if I was sure I could handle this? I must have looked like an accident waiting to happen as I sheepishly nodded yes once again.

Actually I think that all I remembered or even understood was that I was to go straight for quite awhile before heading north to clear customs in Jost Van Dyke.
I also understood his last warning to bring the propeller back looking better than what it looked like now. Obviously that was a subtle joke that meant he didn't want me to thrash his boat. He wished us well as we loaded up with all of our crap we were dragging along for the ride. As I was carrying the ice chest full of beer on, I noticed in large letters on the map that read Alcohol and Boating Do Not Mix. I began thinking "what's a Pirate fantasy without beer"?
Too nervous to really do anything yet, I decided just to observe how other boats in the bay were heading out. Finally it was time to do what I had been waiting so long for. To set off on an aquatic adventure in an area that is so rich in history.

We were off and within minutes I was already wishing I had never done this.
The Ferry coming from St. Thomas was heading my way. I remembered that all Vessels should pass on the right. As I passed by the Ferry, suddenly my confidence began to grow. Now all I had to do was get far enough out to begin heading for Customs. Once we were out in open water I decided it was time to stop and try to figure out some of the dials and gauges. I also practiced using the reverse mechanism because it would obviously be a necessary skill to be able to pull into the Custom's dock.

As I grew more comfortable with the boat, Miss X was right there to reassure me that I didn't really know what the hell I was doing. Back on track we headed for Jost Van Dyke. I had heard about the Soggy Dollar Bar, and thought maybe we should celebrate this adventure with a drink once we docked the boat. The map helped guide us into the right place as we watched land become closer and closer. Coming into the harbor area I could see that one side of the Customs dock was completely empty. How lucky I thought having all that room to make my first parking job. Parking the boat was not that bad considering the space allowed. Once of the boat we proceeded into the Customs office to fill out the proper paperwork.

While I was going over the forms, one of the customs officers approached me and
asked how long I was going to be on the island. I told him I wasn't sure and asked why? He told me that I was parked ferry side and that the ferry should be arriving in just a few minutes. No wonder I had the whole side of the dock to myself. I started feeling really dumb, and said we would be leaving as soon as they stamped the papers. With that in mind, my cruising permit was quickly made official and I was told to hurry and move.

Things started going south at this point. I told Miss X to get on board fast because I could see the ferry approaching in the distance. As I started the boat and proceeded to head back out to sea, there was a problem. For some reason it kept leaning against the dock. So I crawled out and yelled to Miss X to power up. Somehow it became push against shove starring my rental boat versus the mighty customs dock. I tried to use my strength to force the boat to point away from dock but nothing seemed to be happening. I crawled back up inside and powered up allowing the side of the boat to rub against the dock until finally the force pushed us out and away from trouble. After getting a few hundred yards out, I allowed the boat to idle while I inspected the side for any possible rub damage. Luckily only a few deep smudges which didn't look too bad.