Our first stop was into St.Augustine's municipal city marina. We timed it better this time where we came in on slack tide, and the wind wasn't against us, and we landed successfully and without incident, yea! The next day we were off to Palm Coast. We ran into several friends, had a great time and headed to New Smyrna Beach City marina. It was along this route that when we got to the two bascule bridges in the Daytona area, we almost had a real disaster. We ended up with two motor trawlers and they were using channel 16, I was using channel 9. We cleared the Main St. Bridge just fine. I was in front so I hailed the Memorial Bridge with my usual 'bridge, bridge, this is the south bound sailing vessel Renasci requesting passage at your next opening'. He came back and said 'hold on a second please', so I did. Not shortly after that, he raised the bridge, I had peeled off and was behind the two trawlers now, and all three of us started for the bridge. The two ahead of me made it, and then all of a sudden, five horns. What the F$%K!, I had to do an emergency peel off just feet from the fenders, thank GOD I wasn't 10 feet closer to the bridge. So, two seconds later, I power down and I get on the radio and ask what happened, and the bridge tender said he didn't hear me. I guess he did SEE me either ? I mean, it's so easy to not see a fifty foot telephone poll headed towards ya, not to say 37 feet of boat. But, I calmly asked again for passage, and he did his thing and we got the hell away from him/that-bridge. While waiting though, the two motor boats called back and asked the tender if he had emergency traffic of some other emergency, cause they had never seen anything like that, quote unquote. So, off we went.
Once at New Smyrna Beach City Marina, we ended up staying a couple of days and not going any further south. The weather was against us and we didn't have to go, so he hung out, had a good time. I was glad to help the Hatteras 60 off the next morning, they forgot to untie a bow line and they tried to leave. Well, they pulled a huge 24 inch steel pillion over a good 6 inches and I reached down and undid the line. When it gave way, the dock lurched and with a huge snap, the line was off, and so were they. Angel picked up fleas somewhere along the way, so we washed us, the sheets, the boat, Angel, and everything else, not once, but twice on two different days. The dock master Pam was really really great at helping us with all that. But, we soon headed north.
At Marineland Marina, we had a blast. We stayed for several days and look forward to going back. We did the eco tour which we recommend to friends and all. The dolphin tank was being redone, so maybe next time. Lots to do, but take everything you need. The following day was up to St. Augustine where we circled for an hour and a half so we could go in on slack tide. definitely worth the wait, and wow how the tides can cut or add lots of time to a leg. Here's our boat with the Galleon in the background.
The next day was uneventful. We came back, got the boat put away, come home to a welcoming shower and sushi dinner. Yea for Otaki's.
Until next time, fair winds and following seas.
Kb
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