Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Statue of Liberty and on to Sandy Hook







Did some boat errands like filling the water tanks, pumping out and getting fuel, then headed further down the Hudson to get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty. Soon Ellis Island and the statue came into view. It was very impressive to see it here in 2008. We can’t imagine how awe inspiring it would have been back in the 1880’s. We went as slowly as we could and took lots of pictures. Next summer on our way home we hope to have a longer stay in New York City to spend some time actually visiting landmarks like this. Right now we are feeling pushed along because the next stretch down the coast from Sandy Hook to Cape May New Jersey is best to do in good weather and now seems to be the right conditions to do that stretch. Next summer when we get back here we will have that stretch behind us and will be more relaxed for our city visit.
Continued on through the harbour with cruise ships leaving, and freight ships and barges anchored everywhere it seemed. Finally, once we were through the Narrows and into the Lower Bay area we were able to turn the motor off and go by sail alone. Ahhhh! As soon as the motor was turned off, all of the hustle of the city disappeared too.
When we got to Sandy Hook, we first thought we’d anchor near the Coast Guard station, but seeing masts further south at Horseshoe Cove we decided to head there instead. Now, two guidebooks had warned us that depth is sometimes a problem and that finding the way in required ‘local knowledge’ there but the other boats there gave us a sense that it must be ok. So we inched along following the chart and eyes riveted on the depth sounder. “20 feet, 25 feet, 20 feet, YIKES 0 FEET!………….Hello, Towboat US?” After the towboat (the CAA of the sea) left we wisely retreated back to our original plan and spent the night anchored in plenty of water near the Coast Guard station. So Peter Bailey we have our first grounding!

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