Close quarter maneuvering in a swift current

Close quarter maneuvering in a swift current

The vast majority of time, close quarters maneuvering at low speed is fine. But the strong currents in Beaufort South Carolina can greatly reduce the margin for error. We recently got a great lesson and saw an example of exactly what can happen if you are not experienced with river sailing. My sailing partner Jim got to the marina early and packed and readied the boat for our afternoon departure. He de-berthed her and repositioned her on the face dock. The problem was the direction she was faced put her back to the wind and her stern in the current.  A new moon phase that weekend made for especially swift currents.

           Here’s where we got into trouble. I was at the helm. Jim was at the ready on the dock, ready with the lines. I fired the trusty 2gm Yanmar diesel and warmed it up. I checked my position. I was nervous. I had an instinctive feeling this departure was not right. He untied the bow first, at my command and shoved it out a few feet, then the stern and jumped on board. I yelled wait Jim!!! Were not right I yelled! Jim, get the boat hook, I screamed! I had no steerage at all. We began to pick up speed with the incoming tide. I had a huge sinking feeling in my stomach. We have 4 boats down the dock and we are now cross ways of the dock moving sideways to the dock with our bow toward the dock. We were now headed straight, well “sideways” for the other docked boats.  I have a folding prop on the boat and this prop gives almost no reverse propulsion. In desperation, I threw in into reverse and gave it my best shot. Jim could not find the boat hook so he sat down on the bow with his feet hanging over in the hopes to push off the oncoming boats with his feet and we all know this is against the rules. His instinct kicked in to at least try and stop a collision.  With what seemed a lifetime and after pushing off 2 moored boats, we were able to finally get the bow into the current and find some steerage. It was so dangerous... We had no less than 5 possible insurance claims that day. Not to mention the near heart attack I had. I learned. Oh yes. I learned the hard way just how volatile a situation can become when you have no experience in close quarter maneuvering in a swift current with a large vessel. I know a lot more today about Close quarter maneuvering; in fact I have been practicing on the face dock over, and over again. I spend a considerable amount of time studying the tides and wind next to the marinas dock. For now on, before I unhitch the boat, I know just what the boat is going to do. Just thought, I would share my near miss in the hopes that someone might read and get inspired to practice in close quarters with their boat before something bad happens. I read and read and practice. I’m doing the best I can, not to get hurt or hurt anybody. I take full responsibility for this near miss. I was at the helm. I knew better. I knew it was wrong when the stern line was taken off. Won’t happen again under my watch.

             Happy Sailing, be safe. Capt. Curt 07/07/2012

Sailing the Fort Fremont reach

Today was the first day of spring, "or at least it felt like it". We had a great day out sailing in Beaufort with some great friends... We all met at the back-porch grill at the Port royal marina to have lunch. I went to prep the Yacht earlier that morning and found the battery dead. I new everybody was on the way and looking for a day on the water. I pulled the battery out and headed to Auto-zone and swapped out for a new one. The cool part is that it was under warranty. I love value added products.

As we were leaving the dock, the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club's was on the first downwind leg of the frost Bite regatta. It is so fantastic to see 12 or 15 big boys, spinnakers aloft fighting it out for a the for the first position rounding the first mark. One day I would like to have one of them cups on the mantel with my name on it.

Its hard to see in this photo so click on it and zoom in and you can see the big boats slugging it out.
My grandson Alex was a great help today. His inquisitiveness is really cool.It shows he has a genuine curiosity in sailing. There is nothing that warms my heart like this.

We were blessed to have some great friends in Chris and Michelle with us on this sail. They are frequent guest on the Yacht. We had lunch with them and after the sail we stayed up late playing cards and hanging out talking to 2:00 AM We miss them when they are not here. The are our next door neighbors.That hopefully will move in soon.  inside joke.

Alex was driving as I kept Heineken hydrated. Alex had a great day.

Marcia and Jim had a great day as well. Its always nice when they can make the sail with us.

 Cant waste till spring truly breaks. So we can sail with better weather. What a good day on the water. We may go on Sunday as well. Till then keep your dreams alive.
See ya in the next port.

Family day with the East Coast Lady.

To Day was a very special day,

Today was the first day my daughter and her family finely came for a sail on the Lady. It was a great day for a January, warm and sunny "76 degrees . We were faced with a windless day, but you wouldn't here any of us complain. It was just delightful...

Steven and I moved the boat that morning on the tail-end of the incoming tide. We were there right on time but left just a little early from the dock. I had a problem with the tide turning me broadside to the flood tide. I had a great guy on the dock come on board and teach me how to back out without the prop-wash making all my choices for me. Steven was a nervous wreck. He did great for a first timer to the dock. It did, however take a few hours to get his adrenalin levels back down. 

The memories we weave in the minds of our children and grand children is so very important. Days like today on the water, spending time away from video games, and other useless time wasting ventures is essential  to nurture a since of family. Something we all could use a little more of. I will for ever cherish my children and grand children... To see their smiles and help them grow a responsibility to each other and at they same time teach and show how wonderful nature is.

 

Little feet. 

The pitter-pater of little feet... I here them now and I here them then. on the cabin house of the boat. The joy of the feet on the East Coast Lady is so nice. I went below to us the head, As I stood there doing my thing, I heard pitter-patter right to the forward hatch. then I heard Hay Papa. He thought is was cool seeing me through the forward hatch. He found me. Now!!! I leaned way forward missing the bowl a little trying to cover my self up. Mean while, in my embarrassment I finished early, And flushed the head. I heard a  little Alex giggl. When I looked up he took off,  and a pitter patter back to the cockpit.I just smiled. 

Another great joy of mine is watching Deb. She gets so excited when we have a dolphin sighting.  But today was different than most that we have. Today they came right to the boat and said hello, Deb had all of us excited. They were every where. They dove right under the boat. it was a great day,

I really had a great day. even with no wind. Its nice to spend time with my Son-in law Steven. Steven said he he learned a great deal today and has a new found respect for the sailor and all that he has to know to be able to maneuver a 4 ton vessel in a 4 knot flood tide. Great job Steve you were great help today. Cant wait till next time.

Till next time happy sailing out there. We'll see ya in the next port.

Cheers