American Samoa does not require an Advanced Notice of Arrival, or what is normally needed for USA or close to the USA related countries like Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands. There B1/B2 Visa needed and on board must be an internet connection and video cameras, etc.

Here arrival is like in the old days without internet and all its useless features.

We moved into the harbor and I called the harbor master on the VHF. When we got on contact, he was very helpful. We changed from CH 16 to 10 and we were both on standby for questions, and advice. He guided us to the pier for inbound clearance.

Waiting at this pier, all needed parties came by with their car, handed me the documents over to be filled in. Additionally they all needed a crew list. Actually the first office for agricultural matters told me I need 5 crew lists in total; this was helpful because I could prepare all at once.

The hole thing took about 2 h during which we even could eat a Japanese noodle soup. Once immigration returned out passport we were free to move to the anchorage to look for a spot and drop the hook.

We found a spot with 12 water depth. I let 60 m of chain out and tested the holding by pulling back with cruising RPM. It holds. For the night I have my anchor watch. I feel safe as always.

A friendly American sailor wanted to tell me by VHF that he hangs on 2 moorings and that one of them is somehow under MaRe. I could convince him that my anchor holds.

Then Dorothea of the German catamaran “Fredolin II” came over to say hello. They are 11 years sailing already. Now we know already where we can get SIM cards and fresh veggies etc. A few remaining questions we’ll ask tomorrow morning before going to the dinghy dock she told us where it is.

While I talked with Dorothea Shigeo got already in his bed and had a looong sleep. I also feel the tension is getting less after that long non-stop sail which can be called “An Odyssey”. We had all, from no wind over rain and sunshine, to 7 Bft wind with waves close to 4 m.

Last thing for today, is getting the outboard motor on the tender to be ready for tomorrow morning. Shigeo is fixing a vegetable curry with corned beef and rice. Then I think that sleeping is the most done activity after a shower on board of MaRe.