Columbier Bay, St Barts

Serafina
Rob & Sarah Bell
Tue 20 Mar 2012 12:08

17:55.54N 62:52.27W

Sunday 18th March

First thing in the morning Rob went into town and checked out with Customs, who give us 24 hours grace.   We then up anchored to motor to Columbier Bar in the NW of the island, with a slow pass round Velsheda to take some photos.

When we arrived we followed in a blue hulled yacht which turned out to be Jim on L’Espirit du Nord who we met when fitting out in Grenada, and we were both lucky enough to find free buoys.   Whenever we pick up a buoy we never know what to expect:  a metal loop on top to tie to, a loop to put straight on to your cleat or attach ropes to (one each side to prevent chafe) and, in this case a very short loop which when hooked unexpectedly lengthened up through the middle of the buoy.   I feel we need to make this a slicker operation for when we reach the Virgins where it apparently is all buoys, particularly when I am stood on the bows surrounded by a variety of ropes, a boat hook and two devices for attaching ropes to the buoy if I can’t reach….

As it was Sunday the bay filled up more and more with boats anchoring willy nilly (the pilot encourages everyone away from coral, sea grass and near the beach – to no avail it transpires) and a couple of very smart “gentlemen’s day boats” sailing through the mêlée.   Sadly, despite being in one part of the Marine Park, the snorkelling was nothing like as good as in the town bay, although I did see a turtle happily chomping away on the sea grass.

So a few jobs got done including the finishing touch to the dinghy – a non-slip surface glued to the slippy/baking hot aluminium lid on the locker.   Rob then decided to don the Mini B sub aqua rig and take a look at our prop shaft.   We have been experiencing some suspicious noise from the gearbox.   He was delighted to discover that yet another prop anode had come free and this has proved to be the mysterious noise, though it is irritating that the damn things regularly come away and this one has hardly worn away at all.   He is contemplating stainless bolts next time and Jim suggested that you can hit the bolt with a hammer so that it can’t unscrew.

At this point a Marine Park officer chose to mosey around the anchorage which was unfortunate as we had not paid for a dive ticket although we were only underneath our boat.   He didn’t spot Rob underwater when he motored past our stern and we felt discretion was the better part of valour, so although Rob was doing a good job on cleaning off barnacles from the prop we abandoned underwater activities for the day!

Jim and his wife, Ali, who we hadn’t met before came for a swift drink – they had guests on board.   Ali hales from Jersey and very much wanted to discuss the Corbiere lighthouse and Rob’s family connection with it (his great grandfather built it).   We would happily have settled in for the night with them, as they are very good company but duty called them back to their guests.