PING! PING! PNG! (Day 152)

The 49' RR Lift Bridge looms ahead

FROM: Tied to Dlophins @ the east end of the Port Mayaca Lock, Okeechobee Waterway, FL
TO: Southpoint Anchorage, Stuart FL Okeechobee Waterway MM 7.9

Distance Traveled: 31.2 Hours Underway: 6.0 Average Speed: 5.2

Weather: Cloudy and partly sunny; ½ hour of thick fog; light S wind in the morning built to 15+ in the afternoon; temp range 63 to 81


PING! PING! PING!


Comment: PING! PING! PING! The sound of the VHF antenna perched atop of the mast as it struck the bottom of the railroad lift bridge, some 49’ above the water. We made it under the bridge without losing the antennae or any of the wind instruments that live at the mast head. Relieved with our success, we motored along the waterway in thick fog for about ½ hour before visibility improved.

A few alligators made their presence known, but we didn’t see nearly the number we saw yesterday.

A serene day on the waterway

Several boats passed us, but we were lucky enough to catch them at the St. Lucie Lock. They must have been waiting to lock through for almost an hour. I’m not sure why the lock was so slow, but we didn’t have time to rest. No sooner had we arrived then we were told to prepare for a port side tie. Fortunately, our fenders were already set up on the port side, having been left there yesterday when we transited the More Haven Lock. During our eastward travel on the waterway, the Franklin, Ortona and More Haven Locks raised us about 12 ½ feet above sea level. Only the Port Mayaca Lock had both sets of doors oen. The St. Lucie Lock dropped us back down to sea level.

Our only problem for the day occurred when the starboard engine stalled twice while we were waiting for permission to enter the St. Lucie Lock. The engine refused to start. We made it to Stuart, where we picked up a mooring ball at the Southpoint Anchorage, on one engine. After settling in, I changed both spark plugs and the fuel filter. Still, the engine would not start. I believe there is a fuel problem and will purchase a new fuel connector and squeeze ball. If that doesn’t work, I’ll have to call in some help.