Voyage 2019: Chapter 2

23 Mar 2019, Ocean Sailing, 32 17.508 N/ 079 59.058 W

We left St. Augustine at 0730 and took the ICW route towards Fernandina Beach. All was good until we were about 10 nm from the St. John's River. As we rounded a bend, we saw a dredge about 100 yards ahead of us. Long story short, we couldn't tell which side to pass the yellow float; we didn't stop to ask; we hit the underwater dredge pipe. A little while later, the dredge tug came to our rescue. They were nice, we were embarrassed.

Three hours later, we tried to anchor in Alligator Creek in 15' of water. Charts lied (as they often do in this area) and we went aground. We tossed the hook and said we were anchored. Next day, we headed out St. Mary's inlet, and headed North with moderate to light E-SE winds and 3' seas. First night was good but we were tired. Mattie was not happy.

25 Mar 2019, Second Night and ILM, 34 14.508 N/ 077 57.168 W

Second day out Jule saw SE-SW winds with 2-3' seas. We passed near the Charleston sea buoy around 1500 yesterday. Latest GRIBs indicated that winds would be 20 kts out of the South when we were scheduled to enter BBY Marina. We entered the Cape Fear channel at 0800 with light Southerly winds. We passed abeam of Old Baldy at 1000. At 1500, we were in downtown Wilmington.

At 1500, we called BBY Marina to ask for assistance after the 1800 opening (bridge only open before 0600, 1000, 1400, and after 1800). Winds were predicted at 20+ kts with 1 kt opposing current. BBY informed us that no help would be provided. Wow! As we passed Port City Marina, we asked if we could tie up there and could they provide assistance. Yes to both counts. We tied up at 1630. Wind was now blowing 20-30 kts with gale force winds in coastal areas. Thank you Pete of Port City Marina. We are here for 6 weeks then up North some more.