Return to Salem and First Pump Out

Monday, July 29 2019

After a night that was surprisingly rocky for having been spent at the top of Gloucester Cove, we got underway to return to Salem.   We have been experiencing electrical problems.  One circuit that controls the air conditioning and the starter batteries for the engine is working.  The other circuit, that provides power to the "house" side (i.e. the 110 volt electrical outlets, refrigerator, microwave, etc.)  is not working.

We picked up a mooring buoy outside of Winter Island Yacht Yard's cover and Peter raced out in a small Ranger Tug to have a quick look.  He was able to restore the power, but the underlying problem was not apparent.

In case you are wondering why we did not just go into WIYY's cove, here is a view of the entrance to the cove a low water.



We also needed to have the black water tank pumped out.  In an RV you just go to a dump station and let gravity do the work, but on a boat you have to either suction out the poop, or be more than three miles offshore to pump it overboard.

We called the Harbormaster and asked about pump out service, but were informed that it was only available on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.   Our tank was becoming full so we had no choice but to go three miles offshore and to dump.   Thankfully it was a lovely (calm) day and Sunny Tug can do about 17 knots when necessary, so it was a short trip.  It was also a good chance to confirm that the macerator/pump was working.   For the Loop I most likely won't be using this, unless it is in Gulf or if I choose to go offshore in the Atlantic.

The Macerator Pump Works!

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