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Collierville couple stuck at sea riding a 45-foot sailboat

They’ve been turned away at ports due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. — You've seen the stories about passengers stuck on cruise ships because of COVID-19. Well, a Collierville family is stuck at sea not on a cruise ship but on a sailboat.

Tammy and Darrin Hemphill and their two friends are on quite an adventure. After sailing thousands of miles to French Polynesia, they discovered borders in those islands had been closed to visitors.

The couple is on a 45-foot sailboat. When they departed the Galapagos Islands in late February, the COVID-19 situation had not yet exploded. As they sailed across the Pacific Ocean, they had little access to news or the internet. They had no idea what was happening in the United States and around the world.

When they arrived at the island of Hiva Oa, which is about 4,500 miles from Memphis, they were turned away because of COVID-19.

“They are very concerned about the people coming on land because they don't really have the medical capabilities on the island," said Tammy Hemphill. "We have been on this boat for 29 days."

Local 24 News reached Hemphill on a Facebook Messenger audio call. Her daughter, who is still in Tennessee, is concerned.

“They've been on rations and their storage food for a really long time," said Jessica Hemphill. "There is no way they could get the virus in the middle of ocean."

The original crossing took 19 days. Then for almost two weeks, the group was quarantined on the boat in Hiva Oa. The couple was only allowed to get off the boat and swim three meters around its perimeter.

The Hemphill's said they were under the impression that when the quarantine was over, they would be allowed on land, but found out a few days ago that was not the case. They were told they could sail to Tahiti and hope they would be let on that island, but there were no guarantees.

So with no place to go, they took off Tuesday for Hawaii. Hawaii is 2200 miles and a 14-day sail from Hiva Oa.

Credit: The Hemphills

“Hawaii has been so helpful, helping us get approval to come in, because their borders are closed as well. But because we are a U.S. vessel, they worked well to get approved," said Tammy Hemphill.

“Four people stuck on a boat for over a month now is a little taxing, so she is ready to get home," said Jessica Hemphill.

Hemphill is concerned about her parents making another trip back across the Pacific.

“I worry about them the whole trip. There are pirates in some places, some places they go its very dangerous, but they are my parents and I love them, and I want them to do what makes them happy," said Jessica Hemphill.

She added, when her parents make crosses across the ocean, she has very little contact with them. She does get an occasional email which includes a latitude and longitude so she can chart their location on a map.

Tammy Hemphill told Local 24 News, once they get to Hawaii, they will have to be quarantined on the boat for 14 days. That means it will be around May 1st before than can actually step on land. It will be about 60 days since this unplanned adventure began.

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