Ft Lauderdale 03 June
Osprey
John Bowering
Tue 3 Jun 2008 23:11
three day passage from Long Island. Mixed sailing – some really good with
the spinnaker flying and some motor sailing. The commercial vessel traffic
increased dramatically as we approached Florida and there was no
possibility of dozing whilst on watch coming through the North West
Channel. In one night we passed seven cruise ships – no possibility of not
seeing them as they were all lit up like Christmas trees. The Gulf Stream
played its usual trick and had us rocking and rolling as well as being set
well to the north as we approached Lauderdale. Getting into Lauderdale was
not that straightforward as the Port Authority held us off for a bit
whilst they took two large tankers through the channel. When we finally
got into the channel we had a cruise vessel traveling fast up our stern
and a police boat on one side escorting an upside down cigarette boat
under tow – we were a little short of space and the cruise vessel
eventually overtook us with much sounding of horns and only about 50 ft
off our port side. Once into Port Everglades we had to wait for the bridge
to lift then once through our plans to berth on pier 66 so we could get
fuel in the morning were thwarted by the number of boats already there. So
– we parked opposite alongside once of Geoff’s fish restaurants – which
also had fuel and we spent the night there. No peace in the morning as the
fishing boats were queuing for fuel by 0600 and we were in the way. We
refueled then headed up the intercoastal towards Bill’s & Michel’s house
where the boat is to be berthed for the summer. It’s a nice trip up the
narrow canals, waiting for bridges to open and generally viewing the
expensive properties on either side of the canal. We were tied up on the
berth by about 0900 and Stroma was there to assist with the mooring (or
perhaps she came to welcome Geoff home?). Since our arrival we have been
flat out decommissioning the boat and arranging for contractors to do some
maintenance work whilst the boat is there. Anita is on her way home this
evening and John will follow on Friday night. At this point most of the
major decommissioning has been done and we are left with servicing the
machinery, stowing the dinghy and a general clean up once all the laundry
returns to the boat. Temperatures here are in the 30’s C and it is very
hot work scrubbing and cleaning.