Slow Boating

PV back at Houma City Dock

Throughout Wednesday night, April 15, we digested the day we experienced in New Orleans, particularly the Industrial Lock and the Mississippi river.  We did a little research regarding the near-record flow rates and flood levels of New Orleans and it scared us a little.  Pura Vida did well…and perhaps we did okay with a few lessons learned.

Mr. Majestic (eagle) in South Louisiana

We awoke at 0700 Thursday, pulled up both anchors at Lafitte and were off by 0730.  We planned to go at least to Houma and were considering stops further west such as Black Bayou.  We experienced the usual swing and lift bridges, slow-downs by barges and of course a work boat pulling out of a channel blocking traffic. We were also steering into a current throughout the day slowing us to about 5.8 knots.  Running at 2800 RPM, cruising speed, we usually attain a speed of about 6.5 knots so we figure the ICW was flowing almost a knot against us.  We reached the Houma City Dock by 1430 and tied up.  It was hard to stop so early in the day but because of the uncertainties we faced we didn’t want to push too hard.  We covered only 60 miles since leaving Seabrook Marina in New Orleans, two days ago, which is a little disheartening because we were previously covering 80 – 85 miles each day.  Besides the flow rates, normal obstacles and locks ahead, the ICW does not offer as many anchorages as you see in the Bahamas, Florida and even the Mississippi Sound.  Being limited we have to plan ahead and consider all possible stops and sometimes just stop before we really want to.

Bayou Beouf Anchoage (notice Mr. Aligator)

The Bayou Dularge lift bridge, at Houma, mile 60 on the chart, has a curfew, meaning it does not open, from 0630 to 0830 for morning rush hour.  Some people have to work, I guess.  So we had the choice of leaving the Houma City dock at 0600 to beat the curfew or 0800 to make the first lift after curfew.  The vote was unanimous.  So at exactly 0800, on Friday, April 17, 2020, we pulled into the ICW and steered west.  We saw the usual wildlife along the way including beautiful majestic eagles.  Otherwise, the trip was another appreciatively uneventful transition down the ICW with the exception of the Bayou Boeuf Lock (mile 95), at Morgan City.  The lock is closed Monday – Thursday, from 0700 to 1900, for maintenance, so we were fortunate because today is Friday.  We also arrived at a good time as our wait was minimal.  The water only rose a few feet in the lock and we were able to hang onto the sides, fairly well, with our boat hooks.  It did get squirrely toward the end but as Ruth said, “we lost no boat or body parts, so all is good”.  Immediately upon exiting the lock we steered into a tiny bay on the north side of the lock.  We set the anchor at 1430, for the night and were greeted by Mr. Alligator.  We would much rather have kept moving but with the flooding and strong flowing waters of the Atchafalaya River and no certain anchorage within range before dark we took the conservative approach, once again.  Morgan City is a nice little town with a fantastic city dock on the east bank of the Atchafalaya River.  However, sadly when I was last here it was silted in and was unusable.  I also previously stayed on the west bank of the river at the Berwick city dock but it would not be favorable with the strong currents currently existing in the river and we read on Active Captain that it has been flooded out since I was here in early December.

Spot Tracker - Why Not?

Tomorrow, we plan to pull up anchor early and make the 65-mile journey to Shell Morgan, at Intracoastal City, to pick up fuel and tie up for the night.  Ruth has been wanting to anchor at the Mermentau River for years and if all goes as planned she’ll get that wish Sunday night.  By Monday night we should be in our home slip in Port Arthur.  Until next time.