Return to Winter Island, an encounter with the Harbormaster; Caroline arrives
Wednesday, July 24 2019
I spent my first night on board last night and things went quite well. I had a shower on board this morning. The hot water tank only holds six gallons, but I found this to be more than enough. The shower head is set up so that you have to squeeze the handle to have the water flow, which helps conserve water, but I certainly did not feel deprived.
I had been put on the end dock, so getting away was quite easy and I was feeling pretty pleased with myself as I left the harbor. Peter had asked that I test out the top speed of the boat to ensure that she can reach her rated engine capacity of 4,000 RPMs (Revolutions Per Minute). I started to increase speed as I left the harbor, and was probably moving along at about 10 knots when the Harbor Master's launch approached me with a blue light flashing and sounded his siren!
Yikes! I did not realize how far out the No Wake Zone extended, and the Garmin Charts did not show this. Of course, after years in law enforcement, I know that "ignorance is no excuse." The Harbor Master took some pictures of my vessel as he approached and asked to see my documentation. Thankfully I had everything organized in a binder and I also offered my driver's license. He asked about my boating experience, and I explained that I had just taken possession of the boat last night and that I was returning to Winter Island Yacht Yard to have more work done that morning.
After some back and forth he told me that he was going to let me off with a warning (whew!) and that I needed to be aware of the No Wake Zones. I agree with him that it is very important to respect these. It turns out that his partner was a park ranger for many years so we had that in common, though we only discussed that once he let me know his decision.
After I left the No Wake Zone I was able to bring the boat up to full speed and she achieved 4070 RPMs, so all is good with the engine.
I was able to pull the rope from one of WIYY's buoys (a solo first!) and waited for Peter to come out and escort me through the narrow opening of the cove where Winter Island Yacht Yard is located.
I then returned to Hawthorne Cove Marina (at a respectable speed of less than 5 knots once I passed the No Wake Zone buoys) and tied up again, with the help of some nice people on docks.
Caroline Brawner was flying in to join me. Her plane was delayed and she did not arrive until 11:00 pm. It was a long day, but it is good to welcome my first crew member on board Sunny Tug!
I gave her enough of a briefing to get through the night (i.e. how not to block the marine head (toilet) on board, and then we both headed for our bunks for the night!
I spent my first night on board last night and things went quite well. I had a shower on board this morning. The hot water tank only holds six gallons, but I found this to be more than enough. The shower head is set up so that you have to squeeze the handle to have the water flow, which helps conserve water, but I certainly did not feel deprived.
I had been put on the end dock, so getting away was quite easy and I was feeling pretty pleased with myself as I left the harbor. Peter had asked that I test out the top speed of the boat to ensure that she can reach her rated engine capacity of 4,000 RPMs (Revolutions Per Minute). I started to increase speed as I left the harbor, and was probably moving along at about 10 knots when the Harbor Master's launch approached me with a blue light flashing and sounded his siren!
Yikes! I did not realize how far out the No Wake Zone extended, and the Garmin Charts did not show this. Of course, after years in law enforcement, I know that "ignorance is no excuse." The Harbor Master took some pictures of my vessel as he approached and asked to see my documentation. Thankfully I had everything organized in a binder and I also offered my driver's license. He asked about my boating experience, and I explained that I had just taken possession of the boat last night and that I was returning to Winter Island Yacht Yard to have more work done that morning.
After some back and forth he told me that he was going to let me off with a warning (whew!) and that I needed to be aware of the No Wake Zones. I agree with him that it is very important to respect these. It turns out that his partner was a park ranger for many years so we had that in common, though we only discussed that once he let me know his decision.
After I left the No Wake Zone I was able to bring the boat up to full speed and she achieved 4070 RPMs, so all is good with the engine.
I was able to pull the rope from one of WIYY's buoys (a solo first!) and waited for Peter to come out and escort me through the narrow opening of the cove where Winter Island Yacht Yard is located.
 |
| Peter once again hard at work, at WIYY's dock |
I then returned to Hawthorne Cove Marina (at a respectable speed of less than 5 knots once I passed the No Wake Zone buoys) and tied up again, with the help of some nice people on docks.
Caroline Brawner was flying in to join me. Her plane was delayed and she did not arrive until 11:00 pm. It was a long day, but it is good to welcome my first crew member on board Sunny Tug!
 |
| Caroline settles into the quarter berth, AKA "The Cave" |
I gave her enough of a briefing to get through the night (i.e. how not to block the marine head (toilet) on board, and then we both headed for our bunks for the night!
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