Looks like hurricane season has taken a little respite so everyone here in Florida is just enjoying the BEST SAILING STATE in the USA.
Unable to sail EW this weekend, but will be out next weekend. Last weekend instead of going into the intercoastal, we went through the #3 drawbridge towards the coast. We didn't go through the locks but motored over to an island near them. It was VERY COOL for a newbie like me to have the drawbridge opened especially for EW!
Note for neophytes like me: the bridge opens on the hour and the half hour. You have your VHF radio on channel 9 and you tell the operator (who you do not in ANY way want to make angry) which direction you are headed, what your boat's name is, and request that the bridge be opened. The operator responds back as to when the bridge will open and you hang out til it does. Once you are through, you thank the operator and if you are the last person, then you thank the operator and tell him you are the last.
On our way back through the bridge we had to hang for about 20 minutes, and there was a very large tug boat behind us who just hung too. It was an exhilerating experience all around.
We met some very nice people on the island and the weather was gorgeous. Sunny but not too hot.
Take care everyone. Try to stay dry and safe. Happy sailing.
You need to be a member of SeaKnots to add comments!
Join SeaKnots