This information might be helpful over on ADVrider.com, if anyone's willing. Motomon, maybe a few details....?
In fairness, this is a difficult time of year for that crossing. Stahlratte was delayed in stormy weather coming into Cuba 4 weeks ago, generating many good stories about wrestling flying refrigerators, vomiting over railings, etc. etc. etc. Ludvig told me that the cause is a weather pattern which forms every year offshore off Cartagena.
I had a bike on that crossing, and even on the Stahlratte, 6 feet above waterline and wrapped securely in plastic, it had clearly been drenched in saltwater. If concerned about such things, I'd suggest other means of transport and/or other times of year.
Oh, and loading and unloading always seems to involve hoisting bikes in and out of dingies or pangas at some point. No getting around it.
Mark
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