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12 October 2019

15 September Port Washington to Sandy Hook via the East River


Weather forecast checked. Tide predictions checked. Thunderbirds are GO! For the 160nm trip from Port Washington to Cape May via Sandy Hook anchorage.
We should have north easterly winds established from early on Tuesday morning but to be at Sandy Hook which is where we'd sail out to open water in time we need to transit East river New York today. The tide flows south from midday and lasts until 6pm.
We break out the anchor and clean off the growth on the chain and mud from the anchor and motor out to Long Island sound. We've been in these brackish waters too long and furry growth on the hull robs us of half a knot. David had tried diving to clean us but when he found zero visibility he gave the prop a dusting and had to leave the rest.
There's not much commercial traffic on the northern part of the river and the current hasn't built yet so it is a worry when we suddenly loose three knots of speed just after passing a cargo vessel. We check around the waterline for snagged lines. Nothing seen. Do a circle to check if we've hit counter current. No. Put the engine into reverse and forward and still we are slow. David's checked the engine and propeller shaft, increased and decreased engine revs. This is a mystery. David questions whether the gear box has failed. My theory is we dragging a line on the keel or rudder because I feel the steering is heavy.
Then, just as we are looking for a spot to anchor and further investigate, we slowly increase speed and as I look behind us I see a 6' length of wood bob to the surface. We hadn't seen it on the surface ahead so it must have come from underneath us. Mystery solved: the wood must have been kicked up by the propeller of the cargo vessel and lodged at the front of our skeg and then, mercifully, it popped out. Phew!
Brooklyn Bridge

Staten Island ferry

Now we can return to enjoying the scenery. We're approaching the critical Hell's Gate where the Harlem river joins and the river is at it's narrowest. The current is now running at 4 knots. There are eddies in the water and ferries up ahead. It's all new navigation.

Then to add to the stress load a Coastguard rib pulls alongside and demands to board for a safety inspection. I ask if they can wait until we are through this narrow section, until we are past the thrilling Manhattan skyline and they say no so three people come aboard; one young woman and two young men wearing heavy boots. First item on the safety check is sanitation. Do we have our holding tank locked shut? David is continuing to helm and I show the officer the location of the valve. The handle has been removed and put in a drawer. Second item for checking is fire extinguishers – all OK and in date. The life vests, a life ring and whistle for attracting attention. OK. Then they want to that the lowest part of the hull is dry and the bilge working. Our lowest bilge is in the engine room so I show them where it is. OK. The final requirement is to check our cruising permit and passports and we receive a certificate of inspection. The Coastguard rib pulls alongside to pick them up and we are left a final gift, a long black scratch along the hull.
USCG inspection mid NY

Departing










By the time our guests leave we have reached the south end of Manhattan and the Staten Island ferry terminal. From here it's still another couple of hours down the river to the anchorage. We arrive at 5pm and find a nice sheltered spot next to two other yachts. It's much better than we'd expected with wind and wave shelter from north through to southwest, a sandy bottom and it's quiet.
Polly navigation


Last view of NY









Just after we set the anchor I receive a message from home with the sad news my Dad has passed away. He was 87 and had lived a long and happy life.


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