Saturday, June 14, 2008

IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH? DO YOU BELIEVE IT?

SHIP'S LOG:



Today, I had to go to the DMV to register ABISHAG and the dinghy.(I've got to come up with a name for the dinghy!) I had gotten the forms necessary earlier in the week, filled them all out and, with checkbook in hand, head to the DMV, bring along a good book.



First of all, going to the DMV last week, I was given the WRONG! forms with which to register the boats. The fact that I was "given" the form by a DMV official made no difference DMV to get the correct forms.

Going to the DMV Office in Old Saybrook (a smaller office that seems to move things along rather quickly . . . at least for a DMV office), I got in line to get a number so that I could get in line for service. I got my number and sat down, opened the book, and started reading. Two hours later, my number was called and I went up to the counter to begin my interaction with a DMV official.

Having bought the dinghy from Defender Industries in Waterford, CT, all of the paper work was exactly and completely right and the registration went through without a hitch. Pay $7.50 and the registration was complete. Next was ABISHAG. I laid out the proper form filled out, the Federal Boat Documentation, the Coast Guard Bill of Sale, and opened my checkbook to pay the sales tax and the registration. The DMV Official picked up the paper work, looked at it, and said, " I can't accept this Bill of Sale." Say what? "This Bill of Sale doesn't have all the information I need to register the boat." Say What? I said, "This is a Federal Government Document. It was sufficient and acceptable to obtain the federal documentation and registration of this boat and it is not good enough to register the boat here in Connecticut?" " Sorry, It is not a proper Bill of Sale like we need to register the boat."

And that was that. No registration for ABISHAG! I call the documentation service and talked with the agent who had handled the documentation. She thought I was kidding. "How can Connecticut not accept the documentation that the Federal Government accepts?" Hey, what did she want from me? I am just the messenger. I had to fax her a State of Connecticut Bill of Sale (for boats) which she will fill out, get all the signatures and send it up. Being away for the coming week, means I get to come back not just to sailing but also to another fun day spent in the DMV!

Leaving the sate for a week with the boat ready to got, I have had to make arrangements for moving ABISHAG to the Thames Yacht Club if necessary during my absence. Ken and Chris, the crew from the Annapolis delivery, have been apprised and are ready to go at a moments notice . . . .well with 24 hours notice. Hopefully, it won't be necessary but it is nice to know that all is set if it is.

MASTER'S PERSONAL LOG:

Next Saturday . . . . . Next Sunday For SURE! ! ! ! !! ! ! !

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