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Agent nods said..
you might be surprised....
I took a boat from Australia to PNG, after clearing customs in Cairns. In the middle of the Coral Sea we were called up by a patrol boat...after giving them some details, boat, clearance etc - they said stand by, about 10 mins later they called back - all ok have a nice trip. We scanned the horizon but could not see a boat anywhere.
So they do watch.
You could of course hop along the coast avoiding the "Border patrols" till you make a quick trip north to international waters. But then you are more likely been seen by the locals and or police.
I do agree with you ~ but how about the Kiwi guy only 6months ago or so that sailed a 6m cat over from NZ under prepared with very very basic Nav gear (think he had a compass)
he made land in Ulladulla and was there 3 days before customs and the local cops and marine people worked it all out.
when interviewed he said something like ' I was hoping to make land between Lake Macq and Eden'
this guy really slipped through the net !!