Will the Bridge Swing? (Day 034)

Tom Point Creek Anchorage to Port Royal Marina, Beaufort, SC MM 539.6
Distance Traveled: 44.0 Hours Underway: 8.8 Average Speed: 5.0
The "Enticer" - A Classic

Weather: Cool outside but reached 79 degrees in the bubble. The actual temperature ranged from the low 50d to the low to mid 60s. The day started with a clear sky and a beautiful sunrise. By 1200 hours, the sky clouded over and we motored along in mostly cloudy conditions although there were pockets of sunshine. The wind started light but built to 25 knots (gusts to 30) by the time we docked at the Port Royal Marina. In fact the Ladies Island Swing Bridge Captain told us that he would not open the bridge at 1530 unless the 27 knot wind dropped below 25 knots. Canvasback Too and SUNSHINE circled for about fifteen minutes waiting for further word from the bridge captain. Luckily, the wind speed dropped to 24 knots and the bridge opened on schedule.

Comment: Today’s ICW route took us on the Wadmalaw, North Edisto, Dawhoo, Ashepoo, Coosaw and Beaufort Rivers. The rivers are connected by cuts. Generally speaking, the cuts present the most serious navigational challenges since shoals are usually present. Fortunately we passed through the Fenwick, the Ashepoo-Coosaw and the other cuts without a problem.

The keel boat (Canvasback Too and Wind Lore) captains were concerned with the shallows near mark “112” on the Dawho River. This section of the waterway is notorious for groundings. Fortunately, we passed through at near high tide. We never saw depths below twelve feet.

Wind Lore out of Shelburne, NS, was relieved; they draw six feet. But, when they arrived at the fixed bridge a few miles away, they were concerned with the “air draft” or bridge clearance. The high tide that helped them easily negotiate the shallows mentioned above now meant that there was only a bit over 63 feet clearance at the bridge. They need 63 feet exactly and passed through very slowly with just a few inches to spare.

The combination of strong foul current and 20 knots of wind on our nose made for a very slow passage through the Coosaw River. Both SUNSHINE and Canvasback Too sloughed along at something between three and four miles per hour. We had the “pedal to the metal” in an effort to make the Lady’s Island Swing Bridge before 1600 hours. After that time, the bridge will not open during rush hour (4:oo PM – 6:00 PM).

Because the NOAA weather forecast is predicting 30 knots of wind with higher gusts, we decided to tie up in a marina. Ladies Island Marina was filled and had no space for us so we made reservations at the Downtown Marina in Beaufort. This wasn’t an ideal location because the marina is exposed to strong northwest wind. Even though we made reservations earlier in the day, we decided to pass on that marina. Captain Dave made reservations for both vessels at Port Royal Landing Marina. The crews of several boats we have previously met were already tied up. We’re looking forward to meeting and talking to some of them.

Captain Dave made dinner tonight. He borrowed the recipe from a restaurant in Wrightsville Beach. He made a base of mashed potatoes with a burger on top and this was topped with chili. Talk about comfort food! It was a great meal for this chilly night.

After dinner and gam, we bid good evening to Captain Dave as boater’s midnight was fast approaching. Anna Marie and I settled down to watch game five of the World Series. The Phillies are up 3 games to 1 over the Tampa Bay Rays. Go Phillies!

Arial view of Port Royal Landing Marina



View Larger Map