Ship’s Log to Dauphin Island, AL

Date: Dec. 7, 2019                                           

Arrival Time:  1745          

Location:  Dauphin Island, AL

Weather:  Cloudy            

Sea State:  Rough chop, 5 feet  

Destination Tomorrow:  Day off

Engine Hours:  1284                                                                        

Crew:  Art           

Sunset over the Gulf

Comments:  The anchor alarm went crazy at 2015 last night as we drifted 145 feet from where it was set.  We had about 70 feet of chain out in only 7 feet of water knowing there was a northern blowing in overnight.  No, the Mantus was not dragging, but we knew when the front hit with winds shifting from 85 degrees to 350 degrees.  We reset the anchor alarm and went to bed.  It held there throughout the night with winds near 15 and an occasional gust to about 20.  One advantage being anchored, especially with just a bow anchor, is you are usually facing the wind; thus, it was not a bouncy night.  However, it was an eerie feeling knowing that if the anchor gave way we would drift straight out into the gulf.  Now I’m glad I spent the extra money to get the big 45 pounder and 3/8 inch chain. 

Cat Island, MS

Date: Dec 6, 2019                                            

Arrival Time: 1530                           

Location:  Cat Island, MS

Weather:  Slightly cloudy, 60 - 75 degrees        

Sea State:  Light chop in the Mississippi Sound   

Destination Tomorrow:  Dauphin Island, AL (maybe)

Engine Hours:    1275                                                      

Art giving thumbs up

Crew:    Art

Comments:  Today felt like the first day of real cruising.  We're island hopping.  It started off a little shaky getting fussed at by only one bridge tender, but we only went through one bridge that needed tending.  When we left the Seabrook Marina, at 630, I contacted the L & N bridge tender to see if there was a curfew, which is a period of time they won’t open during rush hours.  She said “No, but you’ll have to wait on this train that is coming.”  I replied that I’d just idle forward the 1 ½ miles and watch for the train.  Around 730, we were contacted by a gentlemen from the bridge (letting me have it) stating that I needed to step on it or I’d have to wait a while for the train.  I guess there was a shift change and a lack of communication.  Well, like I told Art the bridge tender is always right.  After that we were free….. no more bridge openings, no more locks.  We did see one last eagle, before leaving Louisiana, which swooped down and plucked a fish from the water.  

NOLA – Seabrook Marina

Date: Dec 5, 2019                                            

Arrival Time: 1500                           

Location:  NOLA

Weather:  Perfect 50 - 65             

Sea State:  ICW                

Destination: Tomorrow, Long shot for Cat Island, Mississippi Sound

Engine Hours:    1266                                                      

Crew:    Art

When you wish upon a star.

Comments:  Today was a long day in which we might have covered 25 miles.  We pulled up both anchors and left Lafitte at 630.  There was a slight fog but we enjoyed a beautiful, cool, smooth cruise through the Barataria Waterway that people pay guides to experience.  There are cabins on both sides with nice boats docked.  There was little traffic almost to the point of being eerie.  Eventually, the cabins turned into industry and work was all around.  We waited for countless bridges and one tug boat in the middle of the channel.  We made two locks.  The Harvey lock was a much better experience than I had in 2012, but the Industrial Canal lock delayed us over 2 hours.  Between the two locks is the Mighty Mississippi.  We traveled down the river aided by a four knot flow. 

Lafitte Anchorage – Barataria

Date: Dec 4, 2019                                            

Time:     Arrival 1300        

Location:  Lafitte  29 44.628 N, 90 8.140 W

Sea State:  ICW

Destination: Tomorrow -Seabrook Harbor and Marine

Engine Hours:    1260                                                      

Crew:    Art

The dink hanging in its cradle at Lafitte

Comments:  Today was pretty uneventful as we are settling into routines.  Art does most of the cooking and I the dishes, which we are better at.  We get up, punch the coffee button, eat breakfast, brush with Uncle Tom’s, check the engine fluids and belts, turn on the Spot, the engine and instruments, check the AIS for traffic, then pull up the anchor or untie the lines and go on our merry way.  I add things to my maintenance list throughout the day and work on them when we arrive. Finally, we do our homework for the following day.  

Houma City Dock (S. Mile 58)

Date: Dec 3, 2019                                            

Time:     Arrived at 1300 

Location:  Houma

Weather:  50-60, nice    

Sea State:  ICW                

Destination: Tomorrow Lafitte

Engine Hours:    1253                                                      

Crew:    Art

Eagles are evasive.  Though distant pic achieved.

Comments:  We had no electricity this morning so I started the little Honda generator and turned on the electric heater.  Art woke up cold, during the night, asking for more blankets.  I had a 20 degree sleeping bag that seemed to work.  I’ve got to keep my Swobbie, chef, line tender, helmsman, etc., comfortable.  We were concerned with our dockage last night, though our lines looked like a spider web.  However, we survived the swift currents and low tides.  There is a requirement to call Local Traffic at Berwick; I suppose because it’s a busy intersection of the Achafalaya and the ICW.  I called them immediately after breakfast and was shocked to hear we would probably be required to take an alternate route, perhaps 20 extra miles, around the Bayou Boufe lock due to some repairs.  He gave directions but all of the bayous are French names and with his swift spoken Cajun accent we couldn’t understand.  He said he would contact me back on Channel 11 shortly to give me permission to pass under the train bridge and more directions.  We immediately started untangling the spider web and prepared to shove off.  We were scrambling, confused and quickly digested our breakfast.  He called back about 10 minutes later and said the lock work was delayed and we would be able to transit through the Bayou Boufe lock.  How lucky is that, once again.  Those prayers from home are being answered.  He gave some other directions, naming locations like the 20 grand and mile 92, and mentioned the dredge boat, etc.

Berwick City Dock

Date: Dec 2, 2019 (Happy Birthday Chris)                                         

Time:     1700                      

Location:  Berwick city dock (ICW mile 96)

Weather: Great, high of 65 degrees, clear           

Sea State:  ICW                

Destination: Houma Tomorrow

Engine Hours:    1247                                                      

Crew:    Art

We made if further than this poor guy.

Comments:  We took on 17.6 gallons of diesel and topped off the water tanks before leaving Shell Morgan (N. Mile 160) at 1845.  Nice people.   The cost was $25 for overnight docking and diesel $2.28/gallon.  I was told the water was 3 feet below normal.  The wind gusted to 20 knots and the tide was against us most of the way to Berwick.  We averaged only about 5.5 knots.  I knew there were eagles during this stretch but I didn’t realize how many.  We saw about 7 during this 56 nautical mile stretch (64 statute miles).  This is really a beautiful stretch of Louisiana.  We crossed the Cote Blanche Island Cable Ferry.  I didn’t know they were still in existence.  I thought the name was interesting – Tripper III.  The intended docking was Morgan City on the Atchafalaya River, but we grounded twice trying to get in, in 4.5 feet of water, so we went across the river to the west bank and found 11 feet of water at the Berwick city dock.  Art was treated to some PAYC championship chili; the same recipe which Captain Greg won with in 2017.  (Sorry ladies, I just have to take a little jab).  After dinner we blew out the sink drain with the shop vac and emptied the trash.  No major maintenance items but I have started a list of minor items.  Houma tomorrow, God willing. 

Shell Morgan, Intracoastal City

Date: Dec 1, 2019                                            

Time:     1500                      

Location:  Shell Morgan, Intracoastal City, La.

Weather: Great, 65 degrees, clear          

Sea State:  ICW                

Destination: Morgan City Tomorrow

Engine Hours:    1236                                                      

Crew:    Art

Comments:  I awoke to Gunshot.  However I was not alarmed as we were anchored near the Mermentau River in a swamp, during duck season.    No clocks were set as we only had about 45 nautical miles to travel today.  I suppose legal shooting time was about 620.  The Mermentau anchorage is a beautiful cypress swamp.  We had coffee and were underway by 700.  When we left the river turning east bound into the ICW, someone named Greg cut the corner a little too soon.  After dropping the dinghy, pushing PV around a little we were again off, around 820.  We saw a beautiful eagle somewhere along the way but I was a little slow with the camera.  Later, while washing my hands I notice the water pressure dropped off and the fresh water pump continuously ran.  The fresh water strainer for the pump had split in half.  Fortunately I had a spare and repairs were made.  Passage was simple today with only one lock.  It was open with no delay.  We tied up at Shell Morgan around 2.  Being Sunday, everything is closed.  Gumbo for dinner. 

Mermentau River

S/V Pura Vida Ship’s Log, Mermentau

  

Date:   Nov 30 (Day 2)                                   

Time:     1900                      

Location:  Mermentau River

Weather: Northern blowing in tonight.  Had SE winds up to 28 knots today          

Sea State:  Intercoastal                 

Destination: East

Engine Hours:    1228                                                      

Crew:    Art

Comments:   Day 1, was short (14 nautical miles), as a jump off point for today.  We hoped to reach the Mermentau River today but didn’t expect to.  Plan B was to anchor about 2 miles north of the ICW, just off the Calcasieu River.  I called the locks about 6 miles away and they said it would be a 2+ hour wait.  Looked like it would be plan b.  We decided to go ahead to the lock, hoping.  Lady luck was with us and the dock master agreed to let us through with a small push boat when the west bound traffic cleared.  We thought it might 30 minutes.  We waited 1 ½ hours to get through the locks.   About 60+ n miles today.  4 bridges, (Elleander, Black bayou pontoon swing bridge, Grand lake pontoon bridge, then another fixed bridge.  Arrived at the Mermentau about 1730.  Art is a great crew, taking care of little brother.  It’s nice to have experience aboard.  Ruth I don’t get the Uncle Tom’s toothpaste.  Why is it black?  And what is this 18 in 1 Hemp Lavender Pure-Castile Soap.  Do we mix it with Rum or Tequila?  Great dinner tonight, courtesy of Bryce.  I raised you right.