Day 12 - Brunswick GA - Portsmouth VA
Magic Friday
Phil, Di and Annelise
Thu 12 Apr 2018 17:44
A pre-dawn rise and early cast-off in an eerie morning mist over the water as we slipped silently northward, under bridges, past sleepy houses and quiet urban areas.
The first challenge of the day was to stay on the west side of the "Rockpiles" section - timed perfectly to pass at high tide we saw (or felt!) no rocks! Next was Murrells Inlet, followed by Little River inlet - narrowly winding our way past sand shoals and marshlands, turning tight corners and shifting from one side of the channel to the other searching for the greatest depth with only inches under the keel.
Just as we hoped we were through the worse along came Lockwood Foley Inlet . two hours before high tide (the Waterways Guide quotes "notorious for impeding many boaters on the ICW"). A small motor launch passed us we slowed to consider our approach, moments later he calls us and announces he has run-aground twice (only draft 3ft) even though he stayed centre channel! There was no hope for us to transit at this time, only a full high tide would help (adding another 3 plus feet). So, turnaround, motor slowly back south (for the second time on this trip) and then back again.ready to try. A smaller yacht passes us (drawing only 5ft) and radioed back that they had made it with a "few feet to spare". No choice but to have a go (or face a two day motor back south to transit in the open sea).. And "touch and go" it was, touched the bottom (mud/sand) twice, reversed off, found the depth and edged slowly past the inlet.no time for photos! A big relief and thence onward to our marina location for the night.
Once docked we learnt of a motor launch coming in a few hours before us with a damaged prop . ran aground in Lockwood Inlet - we dodged a bullet that time!
A quick freshen up and into the dockside bar/grill "Dead End Saloon" for a few beers and food after a long and anxious day!!
Phil and Di
