We pulled out of Fernandina Beach at 8:00. The weather was overcast with rain expected later in the day. The winds were SE to E at 10 knots and the sea state was 1 to 2 ft. We would travel on the outside today. The day was pretty uneventful. Chip and I took turns at the helm while the other took a "power" nap on the bench in the fly bridge. We did pass thousands of Cormorant's who were gathered for what looked like a bird convention on the water! They were either swimming on the water or just under the surface, like they normally do, with just their neck and head above the waterline. As the boat made its way through the maze of birds (I was not steering off course for birds that can get out of the way on their own) the birds started scurrying off in all directions by air and by sea.....strange sight.
About 20 miles from our inlet we overheard the Coast Guard on the radio talking to a boater who was apparently taking on water and was sending out a distress signal. Unfortunately we could only hear the CG side of the transmission, Chip said the boater was probably using a handheld radio which would make his signal weak. The CG helicopter came out and radioed another boater who wasn't far away and asked that they come to the aid of the sinking vessel and take on their passengers and whatever belongings they could gather. The CG was sending out a boat, but this boater was a lot closer and not knowing how much water they had taken on or any further details they asked for assistance. The captain of the sinking vessel asked to stay with his boat if at all possible, until the CG boat arrived, so his wife (?) and her belongings were tranferred over to the assisting boat. The CG boats showed up just as we passed the area. Chip turned in that direction and hailed the CG on the radio and asked if we could be of any assistance. The CG put us on stand by for a few minutes than came back on and thanked us for asking, but that they had the situation under control...but did ask that we stay on channel 16 just in case. Apparently this guy claimed to have hit a surfacing whale, and didn't have time to alter his course. This put a huge gash in his boat and it started taking on water. The CG brought out a "water out" pump, so I hope they saved the boat!
We pulled into the harbor at Beaufort at 4:30 and tied up at Beaufort City Marina. We planned on staying an extra day so we could tour a little of the city since we were docked right in the middle of the historic district.....but sometimes plans get changed!
Note: I added the photo of the Captain sitting at the helm to show how much the weather temps have changed since those glorious days in Marathon.....sniff sniff.....
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