Position: N31 23.999 W081 21.383
We have spent the last three days eeking our way through Georgia. The days have been very much the same – dense fog in the morning, absolutely gorgeous, clear, and warm, (albeit mirror still) in the afternoon and early evening. Combined with the fact that high tide has been in the morning during the fog, we’ve had a series of frustratingly short days. We thought a brief lapse into “reality TV” might be relevant. The following are a few, pretty typical snippets of conversation between Captain and Navigator aboard s/v Rachel for:
Monday, 10th Dec , Wright River to Vernon River – finally make it to Georgia
N31 56.072 W081 06.993, 24 nautical miles
Tuesday, 11th Dec, Vernon River to Wahoo River
N31 35.973 W081 12.6, 31.4 nautical miles
Wednesday, 12th Dec, Wahoo River to Darien River
N31 23.999 W081 21.383, 21.8 nautical miles
“7:00 AM! Time to get up!”
“But it’s thick fog outside!”
“OK, but as soon as it clears we’re out of here, so be ready.”
“Umph.”
1 hour later…….
“Okay. Quick the fog is clearing.”
“Is not! Those shrimp boats anchored down river still aren’t visible”
“Oh come on.”
Later ….
“It’s getting better … oh…wait … no it’s getting worse.”
Another hour later……
“Okay, it looks like it really is time now, go haul the anchor.”
“But the high tide is already past - it will be too shallow now at Hell Gate”
‘Aw, geez. The water’s probably still high enough. Come on. Let’s give it a try.”
As we enter any problem area, we hail other boats we see ahead of us and ask them to let us know if they see any shallow water (this is one of the ways we make friends on the ICW – sad, but true…). If we are told there’s no problem, we continue through.
Later….
“That wasn’t so bad. At least we didn’t bounce in the mud like we did yesterday at low tide.”
“Yeah. Phew!!”
“The good part is now we have a nice easy passage through St. Catherine’s Sound, so we can relax and finally shake out the sails!”
“Yeah, woohoo!……. Uh…wait a sec….where did that shrimp boat go? Where’s that next mark? Oh no, more fog!”
Navigator is at the helm, moments of hilarity ensue as captain runs below, turns on the radar, roots through the lockers, finds the manual air horn, runs back to the cockpit, pumps it up, runs to the bow, honks the horn for 5 seconds, listens for a bit, runs back aft, pumps it up again, makes a ‘securite’ (pronounced “secur-i-tay”) call on the VHF to alert any nearby vessels that we’re proceeding south under limited visibility, and runs back forward to honk the horn again within the requisite two minutes. Pump pump pump – honk, listen, pump pump pump – honk, listen. Navigator, between snickering at this hilarious sight and offering “helpful” suggestions, stays on GPS course, checks the radar, checks the chart, and keeps a look out. Luckily we don’t hear any other horns or see any questionable “blips” on the radar.
This continues for 30 or so minutes then the fog finally clears.
“Phew, thank God that’s over.”
Later, after Johnson Creek……..
“If we hadn’t been so late leaving this morning the water would have been much deeper.”
“Phew. I’m looking forward to a nice relaxing evening.”
“Uh, the chart says 35-45 feet and the sounder says 8.5 feet.”
“What the ….? Look! You can see the marks! Check the GPS! We’re right on top of the deep bit! What the heck is going on?”
“Which way should we go?”
“Heck if I know. Try heading a bit to port.”
“Sheesh. Okay. That’s better. At least we can finally relax NOW while we cross Sapelo Sound. Let’s get the sails out!”
“Uh, not quite yet, if we keep going we’ll get to Creighton Narrows at dead low tide.”
“Yeah, but I bet we can get through there, too. Let’s go for it.”
It looks a bit white over that way and we hear several boats ahead of us make securite calls on the VHF - “we’re on Sapelo Sound running under zero visibility.”
“Oh. Crap. I guess that decision’s been made for us.”
“Let me check the charts….. looks like our best bet is to head up to the Wahoo River and anchor for the night.”
“Sounds good. I’m pretty much tired of fog and shallow water, anyway.”
Later after negotiating more uncharted shoals, anchor dropped, and dinner started, we turn on the weather: “Dense fog alert from early evening through tomorrow morning around 10:00.”
“Aw, jeez. Another day like today! Where’s the gin?”
Sigh……
