Anchored in Newfound Channel
Ambler Isle
V and S
Sun 29 May 2011 16:25
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24 34N
81 32W
May 25 and 26, 2011
Valt worked in the engine room, cleaning all the
strainers of sea weed. He also changed generator oil and did an
inspection. I washed the outside of the boat. It always feels good
to get the salt off. I polished the railing. It gleamed. We
were surprised that our out-of-the-way anchorage far up Newfound Channel was so
busy with small boat traffic. Little Palm Island resort sent ferries back
and forth to Little Torch Key several times per hour. Fishing boats ran up
the channel. The channel ended in 1' water, so we wondered where everyone
was going. Most came too close to our anchored vessel, rudely rocking us
unmercifully.
In the morning we were awakened by several boats raising
wakes at about 6am. It was time to leave. We raised the anchor and
it was loaded with heavy clay. I had to use a scraper to get it off.
There were several small shrimp on the swim platform. We cast
off.
We headed back to the Hawk's Channel to continue our
trip to Key West. The forecast was for 10k SE winds, 1' seas. These
would push us gently to our destination. But once in the Channel, we found
the wind and seas were from the SW, more abeam. Though not unpleasant, it
was not the smooth ride we'd hoped. But we had only 20 miles to go to Key
West. We'd never been to the Dry Tortugas, but forecasts were unfavorable
for the trip. Maybe they would prove wrong again.
We overheard a VHF broadcast between a fishing boat and
the US Coast Guard. The fishing boat had spotted a inner tube raft
carrying 8 illegal Cuban immigrants. After innumerable questions, the
Coast Guard instructed the fishing vessel to stay on the site until they could
dispatch a boat to investigate.
Soon a helicopter, a Customs & Immigration vessel,
even a military jet were in route to pick up the illegals. In Florida, if
Cuban migrants land at certain checkpoints they are permitted to
stay. If caught before, they are deported.
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