April 29: Mackie Shoal

"The art of life is the art of avoiding pain and he is the best pilot who steers clearest of the rocks and shoals with which it is beset."  Thomas Jefferson

What a night!!!  What a poor decision to continue past Chubb Cay.  Laterwe were reminded of that fateful evening on our southbound journey from Rock Hall, MD to St, Augustine, FL when we elected to continue past the Solomons and ended up coming into an anchorage at 10:00pm after enduring 30 KT winds for several hours.  Thank goodness for full moons and John's piloting skills.

After passing up the Chubb Cay anchorage, we hit the same 30 KT winds and 8 ft seas on the very exposed Bahama Banks.  When we finally decided to anchor, we were at a depth of 14 ft, with high winds and high seas with no land in sight.  Presumably, we were off the high speed ferry route.  John went forward and, while there, badly wrenched his knee but did set the anchor.

Then we went below to try to sleep.  John took the main salon settee and I went to the forward berth.  After being airborne a time or two as the boat bobbed up and down, I gave up and joined Murphy and all our gear in the aft berth.  It actually felt good to be cramped.  John discovered me there during the night.

At first light, we made our way to Cat Cay.  With luck, we would arrive early afternoon.  sandra