Blog post #7
Violent storms, some with winds near 100 mph had pummeled the island last winter. The kids gather lots of blow downs and dead limbs for firewood; soon they have a massive bonfire blazing. It’s not very long before some boaters with buckets come rushing up the dock. Seeing Mike and Tom one of them demands “are those your kids?” they can’t have a fire like that here. That could burn the whole island. There’s no fire protection. If that fire gets out of hand, everything will go up. When the adults reach the fire the kids are relieved to see with them buckets of sea water, for they were already worried the fire was out of control. In short order the fire is brought down to a safe size. The boaters leave them with the buckets, offering to pick them up in the morning. As daylight recedes and the darkness creeps in, the requisite scary stories are told and retold. Everyone thoroughly enjoys eating hotdogs and marshmallows cooked over an open fire. There is something special about a charcoal tasting hotdog and charred marshmallow for dinner after a hard day at sea. When conversation slows and the fire dies down they pour water on it causing billowing clouds of rising steam. The fire gasps its last breath and the exhausted group is ready for sleep, they head back to the boats. Tom comments on how steep the walkway has become and worries to himself that the tide has dropped. When the both families have boarded, he can feel the unmistakable thud and shudder from the keel touching bottom. With each minor swell or movement the boat bangs aground again and again. Mike and Tom quickly discuss what to do and decide they have no time to lose. They must get Toms boat away from the dock and into deep water before any damage is done. If the tide falls further, Tom’s boat could become trapped, possibly tipping over on its side. If the boat tipped on its side it could down flood and sink when the water rises again. Tom’s boat draws 4 ½ feet, and with all the people, gear and provisions it is probably closer to 5 feet. Working fast the two men help all the family to the dock asking them to be patient. With everyone off, Toms boat appears to be floating free again, they hurriedly cast off and using Mikes boat and motor they make their way to deep water about 100 feet from the dock. Tom tosses out his anchor while Mike unties the two boats. Soon they are back at the dock with only one boat. Mikes boat has a lifting keel and draws only 2 feet so even at very low tide his boat will be just fine. I guess I won the race after all Mike jokes. In the morning the tide will be higher, you can up anchor and raft next to us again, but in the meantime I guess you guys are stuck using your dinghy to get out to your boat. Good night, and Mike goes below, sliding the hatch shut behind him.
No comments:
Post a Comment