On the Way to Deltaville

Weather: Overcast all day (but the solar panel still put out a charge); E@10-12 knots; 1’-2’ seas, lumpy in spots; Temp 77

Comment:
0700 We are up and at ‘em and enjoying a leisurely mini-wheat breakfast and cup o’ joe.
0800 Bring the mud hook on deck and away we go!

0930 From the radio log: There is a report of a small boat on the rocks on the first island of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel! The report was issued by the US Coast Guard, Hampton Roads Sector. They apprently heard about it from a mariner who was relaying the “mayday.” Not being on the scene, the mariner didn’t have any additional information. The lack of information must have frustrated the Coast Guard person who said, “Call me back when you have more information!” After about a minute, she realized the error of her ways and was back on the radio. After securing the name of the vessel that made the report, she hailed the “vessel in distress.” She was able to make contact and proceeded to rattled through a list of about 50 questions. We learned that there was one person onboard and he was fishing around the first island when his motor stopped. He hit the rocks and began taking on water.

After about 30 minutes, a Coast Guard “Asset” boat was on the scene. They reported back to base that the fuel tank on the “vessel in distress” was empty! The drama ended when “base” asked the “vessel on the scene” to find out if the owner wanted her to send a commercial salvager to the scene. We never heard an answer to the question.

Our destination, Jackson Creek, Deltaville, VA, is only about 16 miles distant (25 if we avoid the shallows – which we hope to do!). We were able to motor sail with the jib for about 2 of the 4.25 hours we were underway. The jib gave us an extra ½ mph in speed.

The entrance to Jackson Creek is most unusual. There is a narrow entrance channel that makes a turn right at the shore line. From the sea, it appears that boats, navigating the channel, are actually on the beach! We were able to negotiate it without any difficulty.

1215 The mud hook is firmly buried in the bottom and we are ready for some shore side activity. The marina across from the anchorage has a nice lounge, complete with TV, loaner bikes, a courtesy car, good, clean hot showers, and the famous laundry room, that was occupied for the better part of a full day by the “Deltaville Washerwoman” (Anna Marie) on our “Catboat Adventure.” For the next couple of days, we expect to make use of all their facilities!

Our first order of business was to walk around the marina. We like to look at the boats on the hard to see where they are from. This marina is a gathering place for mariners doing the ICW, those going to the islands and points further south. In fact one can meet a fair collection of world sailors here. On this day, we spotted boats from as far away as British Columbia, Montana, Washington State, Colorado, and Oregon. We also found two that we remember from our previous trip. They are “Monday, Monday” and “Hannaniah,” both of whom we have fond memories.

We expect that we will do the town tomorrow! Back on the boat, we ran the generator for two hours in the evening and will run it for several more hours tomorrow so we can get a full charge on the batteries.