First Day Out and Afloat

It's our first day out, and what a day it has been!

After many false starts including replacing the starter battery and troubleshooting the generator, we finally cast off, with the help of our neighboring sailors. It took some skill, and the help of our bow thruster, for Captain Tim to negotiate our way from the dock to the established channel. Within five minutes of motoring in the marked channel, we felt a jolt - we had hit bottom. What the heck is a shoal doing in the middle of the channel; or should I say, why is this area marked as a channel?!? Thankfully, my friend Barbara happened to be sitting on the stern of her boat, watching this play out. She called her friend, owner of a large and powerful dinghy who came to our rescue along with two other dinghies who showed up and helped push and pull us out of the sand and mud. It took about an hour, but finally we were free! Our thanks go out to Barbara and friends!!

Slowly, carefully, we motored our way to Secret Harbour Marina. After many calls by cellphone and VHF radio, we finally reached the marina by email. We were "asked" to wait an hour for assistance by the dockmaster. So, we motored back and forth and up and down and figure 8's in the rain for well over an hour before we were contacted to begin the docking process. Tim was instructed to back the boat into the slip while I threw lines to the dockmaster in his dinghy. He gave me directions, but being new at this, I did not understand what we were doing, nor did I understand his terminology. He needed me to throw him the lines (ropes) and secure the other end (tie) around the cleats (thingies). Later, I was to find out that this type of dockage is called "Med Mooring". With the assistance of two new friends who were helping from the dock, eventually, we all completed this task together. Whew!

After this huge undertaking, we were invited to a potluck on the dock. Nigel thankfully took me to the store to buy some salad ingredients and a few other necessities. We enjoyed our evening meeting lots of nice people who were staying at the marina. The food was delicious! I think this will be a nice location for beginning our liveaboard lifestyle.  

Next, the passerelle - the little bridge that traverses the water, over which we must walk to get on and off the boat. Think: gangplank, for us landlubbers.

Stay tuned!