The adventures and mis-adventures of Let’s Dance continue. Last week,
Captain Bill and his intrepid crew (Larry Crowley, John Clarke and George
Morgan) set out from Daufuskie Island for an offshore passage to the
Chesapeake Bay. It was a win-win situation. The guys would enjoy a
maritime bonding experience and I would be spared a 24/7 marathon sea
cruise. A celebratory bon voyage dinner at our house, with special hurrahs
from me, preceded their dawn departure the next morning.
Here’s the version of the passage (with just a hint of editorializing) I heard from Captain Bill after the fact. There could be other interpretations…..
0620 and the quartet of old salts is underway with flat seas and a brilliant red sunrise over Hilton Head. First order of business for the newly minted crew -- safety! What to do, what not to do, cautions, drills, basic navigation and boat orientation…..all explained concisely, including how to flush the heads. Very important to know. Gear stowed, the enthusiastic anticipation of four straight days at sea is a guy thing for sure.
By mid day, the fishing lines are in and two Spanish mackerel are landed by John post haste. Dinner is assured. The rest of the day and night pass uneventfully, with calm seas, light winds and shared tall tales of the sea. One man shifts, each three hours long, assured overnight security and all was quiet. By 0800 the next morning, seas have freshened to 3 to 5 feet from the starboard quarter and continue to build throughout the afternoon. George has caught a mahi mahi that John decides to cook up as an appetizer, but with increasing waves the galley becomes more like a ping pong table than a kitchen. The guys are bounced from port to starboard and the stabilizers are working overtime to combat the swaying motion. Now the Atlantic tests them with 5 to 7 foot seas and strengthening winds. It could get interesting tonight!
As night settled over Let’s Dance and her crew, the forecasts were for seas in the 8 to 10 foot range with winds gusting up to 25 knots. It is getting interesting, indeed. So the question is, stay out in the Atlantic and muddle through or head in for the night. The decision is made quickly as the guys are fast approaching the last entrance to a safe harbor before the eastward sweep of the Outer Banks makes landfall problematic. Two in the morning finds them anchoring off the Coast Guard station in Morehead City, NC to await the passing of the front.
Fast forward to late the next afternoon, Saturday. 231 miles of the trip to Norfolk remain -- approximately 37 hours of trawler time. Our sailors set out from their anchorage and the adventure continues. About 90 minutes into this leg of the passage, it’s noticed that there is an increased load factor on the engine (huh?) and a significantly higher fuel burn. (Rocket science on the open ocean!) Consultation with Captain Bernie in Florida, pow-wows among the crew, options weighed and reviewed --- it’s decided to head back in to Morehead City and deal with the engine issues. Another night at anchor. By the following morning fuel filters are changed, as it was thought that the prior day’s rough seas might have stirred up any sediments in the fuel tanks that then clogged the filters. Sounds logical to me, Captain Bill. At this point, delays have provided John with the impetus needed to jump ship before the conclusion of the escapade -- a ‘very important meeting’ is scheduled two days ahead and the airport is in a city that is still several hundred miles away. John is dropped at a nearby marina to find his way back to Houston. The remaining seamen head back out to the Atlantic, confident once again in the equipment, to continue the journey. And then there were three.
Now the seas are flat, the winds calm, the heat index climbing and the little Lugger engine purring as the crew heads out around Cape Hatteras on the last leg of the trip. More fishing lines are thrown and mahi mahi find their way on board. They were released to swim another day, but, hey, it’s all about the challenge, right? The last day passes uneventfully and Let’s Dance settles into the Vinings Landing Marina in Norfolk, VA, the end of the line, for the night. The passage is a success and high fives are shared. Captain Bill hosts a farewell dinner for Larry and George and spirits are high as the “no alcohol” on passages rule is no longer in effect. As dinner ended, George was picked up by a friend to start a golf outing in the area. And then there were two.
Tuesday morning, day six of the journey, Larry leaves Let’s Dance to return to Cape Cod. The crew has traveled 543 nautical miles over 5 days. Bill was most grateful for the companionship, humor and expertise brought by each of the mates. It is good to have friends! And then there was one.
Captain Bill was alone, but not for long! I arrived at the Norfolk airport at 2 that afternoon and taxied over to Let’s Dance: reunited at last with her, Captain Bill and the Love Me Tender. Sheets and towels were already in the laundry; the salon and galley in impeccable order. Very impressive, Bill.
Our plan for the coming months resembles last year’s journey, with one big, big difference. We are no longer completely green, newbie seafarers. We have fourteen months, 6,100 miles, countless anchoring, moorings and dockings behind us. Over-confidence is not, however, in our repertoire. We are still just beginners, taking baby steps and relying on those with more experience to lead us on. Thanks, then to all of those who aid and abet, from
Let’s Dance……Carol & Bill
