Stranded in Port Gardner

Sunday, August 26th – Our sailing day started out wonderfully at 2:00 pm.  We stopped for gas at the fuel dock and blissfully motored out to the seawall in front of the Navy base.  Our very competent Captain Mark put the sails up effortlessly.  The winds were incredible.  Our wind indicator read 14 mph average winds blowing from the southwest with gusts up to 16 mph.  We happily sailed past the northwest side of Gedney (Hat) Island.

Around 5:00 pm, after enjoying the afternoon sailing, we attempted to start the engine.  The winds had died down with occasional light gusts.  A few hours later we called 911 and they gave us the number for Vessel Assist.  Vessel Assist quoted $280 to tow us to the guest dock at the Everett Marina.  They wouldn’t tow us to our slip because it was getting too dark.  It was also going to take them 30 minutes to reach us!  Since we were at the mouth of the jetty right in front of the seawall with our sails were still up, our Captain continued to sail us into the jetty. When Mark sailed us close to the Coast Guard boat, north of the guest dock, Vessel Assist was called back.  We told we didn’t need them as we were making our way, albeit slowly, to the guest dock ourselves.  Our fearless Captain sailed us smoothly into the guest dock at 9:00 pm.  Another adventure for the Jeanne Marie.

Update – This afternoon, Mark got off work a little early.  He and Mike Hansen went to the boat and replaced the fuel line.  According to Captain Mark, the sailboat motor now purrs like a kitten.  They motored the sailboat flawlessly into our slip.