Thursday, November 13, 2008

If you see the boat a rockin'...







Well that was a heck of a night and morning here. Started off pretty good at this anchorage in Swansboro and then in the wee hours the wind and rain started kicking in in a big way. By the time my alarm went off at 5:30 Shirley and I were both awake wondering what this would turn into. It turned into more. With the winds and the very strong tidal current our boat was being blown one way and pushed the other, causing various types of commotion in and around. Usually the boat turns and noses into the wind while at anchor, providing protection for the cockpit with the dodger. This time the current had turned the boat around and the rain was driving straight into the companion way (the door). With this torrent pouring into the boat we had to close everything up tight and hang out. Christopher got to do lots of boat schooling and is working on a presentation about sharks. But the boat does start to get small when you are stuck inside.



Then there was more excitement around lunch. Another boat had broken free from its anchor, while its crew was ashore, and was drifting and blowing aimlessly. A 13,000 lb projectile lose in the river! It hit another boat but they were able to fend it off. Then we saw it start to head towards us. The wind and current combo made it very unpredictable. Alas, to the rescue came the coast guard. They zoomed in, lights flashing, siren going. A couple of them hopped on board, like Roy Rogers off his horse, and they stopped and secured the boat. And then they rode off into the sunset. Who were they anyway? While this was going on a few dolphins came cruising by our boat. Just checking on the commotion I guess.

1 comment:

Owners of Mojo said...

Great updates!!! It's a lot of fun to follow your travels using google maps - so the name dropping of the towns you're staying in is much appreciated!

Glad to hear everything continues to go well! Do you think you have the same group of dolphins following you? You seem to be seeing them a lot - maybe you have a good-smelling boat (to a dolphin)...