After receiving the Ok from the Customs officials on the release of the rig from the import process, Berny’s next obstacle to get the rig onto a lowboy and get it out of there. This was complicated by the bent drive shaft which prevented its being driven anywhere under its own power. The shaft was bent when one the loading sling straps was passed under the shaft and not above it. Berny also realized that since it was Christmas, the dock workers were few and very little cargo other than the rig had been off loaded. What to do? The rig needed to be moved now. The truck and trailer were standing by.

Berny walked over to a worker lounging in the shade. After explaining the problem he asked if the man had any ideas about how to do it. The man said the usual “No Problem,” (which in central America means there is going to be one soon) and walked (more…)

Our go-to-guy in Guatemala, Berny Leonardo, was at the dock the next day to see about getting the rig through the customs process. He presented the paperwork to the dock master and began to talk about money. When a figure had been arrived at which was higher than expected but still within the realm of sanity, it seemed that all was working out. Then the customs man announced that there was a “problem” which is usually a sign that more money is needed, but not this time. He could not find the VIN on the truck.

After several phone calls to the states and useless attempts to find the VIN on the 1942 GMC 6×6 military vehicle, Berny began to realize the magnitude of the “problem”. Without the VIN it became obvious that the rig would not be released. The specter of delay contributed to the risk of theft and “storage fees” that would soon place the rig out of our financial grasp and result in its loss to us. Berny left the docks and went to a small boarding hotel for the night. After much prayer and little sleep, he started back to the dock without much hope (more…)