2022-10-15 Heading south - Rescue on the high seas - attack of the birds

We did a couple more boat projects while at Sojourn's dock.  

Installed our new wind instrument - as the old one seemed to be failing a bit.

New wind instrument on right.

Sewed new cushions for the helm seat.

New cushions for helm seat.

We said goodbye to our friends on Sojourn - they will not be heading south this year.  What If, hosted a nice dinner, and also invited, Blue Jacket - who we met briefly in the Ragged Islands last year.

(Clockwise from top) Duane and Karen of Sojourn, Jerry of Blue Jacket, Cathy of What If, and Donna of Blue Jacket.   Ed of What If not visible in photo.

What If left with us early in the morning, for a long motor of 65 miles down the ICW (Intercoastal Waterway).

Left early, and dodger all fogged up.  We wipe it, but it fogs right back up.

What you can see from behind the dodger in the early morning, with the dodger all fogged up.

Actual view

Uneventful trip, until we got to Morehead City.  Came around a corner and Kris was on the helm, and Dean down below.  Kris called for Dean, saying "Dean, that boat is sinking"

Slowly going under

We were first on site and stopped to assist. It was a small 18-20' center console.  Dean jumped in the dinghy as we did not think we could assist with Charm.   The people were busy trying to bail with a large bucket, but not making progress.  Once Dean was onsite, he saw the issue, and with his direction for them to remain in the bow, water stopped coming in from the stern.  They finally calmed enough to remember to turn on the bilge pump.  Another boat on scene called the Coast Guard to notify them.  Another small boat came by, and Kris passed them another bucket to help out, that they took to the sinking boat.  What If who was following us also stood by to assist if needed.

Boat delivering buckets, and third boat calling Coast Guard

With two buckets and the bilge pump, they were making good progress, and the risk of sinking was going down quickly.   A forth boat, about a 25' low skiff, came on scene, and was able to side tie to the sinking boat, now that it was no longer taking on water, and was going to tow them to the boat dock.  We could now hear the sirens, and see the Coast Guard boat approaching, so Dean returned to Charm, and we headed out.

The boat sinking was more a case of the guys panicking once water started coming in, and causing more water to come in by tipping the boat and staying near the stern, where the lowest freeboard was.   Once Dean was on site coaching them, the situation improved quickly.

The rest of the trip was uneventful, but scenic.  Near Camp Lejune we were treated to a helicopter show.

Helicopter flying by

Stopped for the night at Mile Hammock Bay.  It was busier than we have ever seen it.  Must be the cold weather coming, everyone is heading south.

Anchorage at Mile Hammock Bay.  What If in far distance.

Next morning we headed out with a slight drizzle.  We were happy to have a dodger side screen that Sojourn had given us and we rigged to fit Charm.  

Side panel to protect against wind and water

Dean and I don't think we want a fully enclosed cockpit, but the side panel was nice for the rain,  We might have to build one, more testing with this one is in order.

We stopped in Carolina Beach, where we will hang for a few days, waiting on wind to sail offshore down to Charleston.    What If  left for Charleston already, as they were going to motor overnight, and a good window for calm water and wind  worked for them.

We went to town, ate McDonalds (of course), stopped at a couple of hardware stores and got some groceries.   

We had replaced our engine gauges at the helm over a year ago, and they have been working great.  However, we have been recording engine hours manually, as our alternator set up has changed several times until we got it to its final stage, and this has caused the engine hour meter to function sometimes, but not all times, so our engine hour meter has been off, but our manual record of hours correct.   Through some internet research, Dean found a square sine wave generator, that we though we could wire up to do the trick.   It was in one of the packages we received while Sojourns dock.   Kris got it wired, and with some creative wiring, and testing on an old tachometer, she got it working.   It will take some time to have each tach/hour meter plugged in to correct the hours.   Starboard is done, and now working on port.

Some alligator clips, a variable voltage generator, and viola - its working - adding hours.

Carolina beach is nice, it has been sunny, and not too cool at night, but chillier days are coming.  The worst thing here is the birds.  The Boat Tailed Grackle (we think), has found us a convenient place to roost.   We have a bit of bird poop on the boat - so will have to clean that off.  They are not very frightened of us, and Kris had to get a couple of feet away from some before they flew off.  Of course Kris is a softy - and doesn't come at them aggressively - so that could be part of it.

Kris saying "hello birdie" is probably not threatening enough for them to worry about.

We will head out today, and go anchor further south near Southport the Cape Fear River entrance to the ocean.  Doing this to time the currents in the river, and plan our trip offshore on Tuesday (if weather forecast is correct) in order to sail all the way to Charleston.  It will be a chilly trip.