Crossing the Gulf Stream: To Miami
Ambler Isle
V and S
Mon 23 May 2011 12:53
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25.46N
80.05W
May 21,2011
We awoke after yet another rocky night in the anchorage
by Cat Cays Marina. We filed our float plan with our son, David, and
motored through the cut into the Atlantic Ocean. Miami was 45 nautical
miles away to the WNW. At our normal fishing speed of 6 knots, we would
arrive in eight hours. It appeared calm: the forecast was for winds out of
the east at 9-11k, seas 2' or less. Ah, our kind of travel. The seas
were pretty flat, but the swells that have dogged us all season were there, out
of the south this time. We set the fishing lines out and settled into the
motion. About half way across the gulf stream, we spotted a power boat
approaching from the north. It was the US Coast Guard. They hailed
us and asked a few questions: last port of call, destination, etc.
Then they said they were coming aboard to inspect the vessel. We slowed to
idle speed, and four agents stepped aboard. They asked us to stay outside
while they conducted their search. When a boat came nearby,
they asked me to come inside to tend the helm station. I was a
little uncomfortable as I heard them opening cupboards, drawers, and
closets in the sleeping berths and heads. They lifted hatches. We
had nothing to hide, but these were personal areas. Returning to the
galley, they commented that this was the cleanest boat they'd ever
boarded. They inspected flares, fire extinguishers, whistles, bells, life
jackets, and more. They left us a copy of their report and were on their
way. We watched them board two other boats. As usual, the
authorities target the law abiding citizens. Their time and money might be
better spent checking out the go-fast day boats that cross the Stream to the
Bahamas for more devious purposes. But we are a safe and pleasant stop for
them, and who would pass on that?
After our boarding, we hooked a mahi. It was
more blue than most, and I could almost taste the Mahi Fingers I would cook for
lunch. But just before pulling it aboard, it leaped off the hook and was
gone. It would be another couple hours before we would get a second
chance. This one we landed. We wanted to discard the remains in the
deeper sea, so filleted and vacuum sealed it immediately.
Government Cut was choppy, as usual. Big boats,
small boats and everything in between roared thru
the cut in every direction. The main ship channel in Miami Harbour was
closed to boat traffic: only cruise ships could come and go. We
turned right and went under the bridge to the Venetian Island area, where we
usually drop anchor. The Pirate Ship tour boat nearly ran over us.
We stopped in front of the biggest manor house there, reportedly owned by the
man who invented Viagra. There were tennis courts and a huge green house
as well as the usual pools, fountains, and gardens. It occupied the entire
point. The water was calm and smooth. Otherwise, it was chaos.
Jets skis roared, kicking up rooster tails of water. Mid sized go-fast
boats skimmed the water at high speed. Yachts circled the bay. A
continuous parade of tour boats drove past us, eager to show their
customers the Viagra house. Rowdy weekend boaters beached their boats
on the nearby sandbar/beach with the Monument beacon on it. The
nearby roads were jammed with traffic. Airplanes arrived and departed
continuously. We dropped anchor in the murky, green
water. We could not see it seek its place on the seafloor. Police sirens
shrieked. The landscape was awash with colorful lights. What a
shock after our serene Bahamas trip.
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