Safety Check in the Fog!

Safety Check in the Fog!

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As we pulled away from the Solomons area to make our way to Reedville, VA, it was overcast and a little foggy. We carefully made our way back out into the Patuxent River and under the bridge as we headed back towards the Chesapeake. It was very still and pretty foggy out, with not many other boats around except for a few clam/oyster/fishing boats, when I noticed a power boat heading straight towards us. As it got closer, I realized it was a Coast Guard boat and then they turned on their lights, pulled alongside of us and asked when was the last time we’d been boarded by a Coast Guard boat. We told them it had been some time ago (and later realized we had never been, but we had been stopped by the Border Patrol several times on Lake Erie), so they told us they were going to be doing a safety inspection.

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I think I look nervous! Ha ha!

They didn’t actually board our boat, but rather proceeded to do their safety check by asking us for each item, which Jim would retrieve for them to inspect one by one. The woman doing the inspection was very nice and explained exactly what she was looking for as she took a look at each item. The list of items we were asked for included:

  • Jim’s driver’s license
  • Boat & dinghy registrations
  • Two life jackets
  • Throwable
  • Two fire extinguishers
  • Flares (that were not expired)
  • Noise making devise
  • Locked thru-hull for overboard waste (they did not come on board to see this, but just asked if it was locked in some manner)

Good news….we passed! 🙂 In casual conversation, we were also asked if we had done any fishing on our trip, which of course we have not yet (too cost prohibitive), but I’m sure if we had said yes, we would have been asked to produce fishing licenses!

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We had a couple of foggy travel days in a row along the Chesapeake

The whole stop took about twenty minutes and then we continued on our way, the fog staying with us the entire day, and at times getting so thick we could only see for a couple of boat lengths around us in any direction. As we neared our destination and headed up a creek to anchor for the evening, we were sure that the fog would have burnt off, but it was actually worse and pretty darn scary! I knew there was land all around us, but couldn’t see it anywhere. I just drove following the GPS and Jim was on the bow keeping a lookout for other boats and crab pots. We dropped anchor safely, but it wasn’t until a little later and then the next day that we could actually see our surroundings. Talk about spooky!

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Leaving the Patuxent River
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Water so still you can see the reflection of the bird flying above it
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Oyster boats on the Patuxent
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Looking forward…fog’s not too bad at this point
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And looking aft

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Work being done on the Smith Point lighthouse. The barge is suspended between the pilings so that it can be stable and at the right height to do the needed work!

14 Comments

  • Kathy Walden

    November 23, 2015 at 12:06 pm Reply

    Glad you passed inspection. I had no doubt you would. Way too much fog. Hopefully gets better as you continue south.

    • Chris

      November 23, 2015 at 12:09 pm Reply

      🙂 We were pretty certain we would pass, but always nervous that there’s something we may have overlooked!

  • Angela Thomas

    November 23, 2015 at 12:08 pm Reply

    Loving your updates! Thanks! Be careful. You remain in my prayers.

    Love, Angela

    • Chris

      November 23, 2015 at 12:10 pm Reply

      Thank you! Miss you guys!

  • Brian Nolan

    November 23, 2015 at 12:50 pm Reply

    I wasn’t sure if your were nervous getting busted (LOL) or the fog or both! I think the fog would have bothered me more.
    Looks like the Coast Guard launch has heat to!

    • Chris

      November 23, 2015 at 12:51 pm Reply

      Ha ha! In the end the fog was MUCH more nerve wracking than the USCG inspection!

  • Robert M Kansa

    November 23, 2015 at 1:27 pm Reply

    We have been boarded a few times by the USCG…the benefits of sailing with your smart ass son who’s in the coast guard and he tells the crew to look out for you and board for practice. I guess we have been a practice boat a couple times.

    • Chris

      November 23, 2015 at 3:46 pm Reply

      Ha ha! Yup! I remember talking about that with your son at PIB!

  • Dee Walker

    November 23, 2015 at 1:39 pm Reply

    I know I would have been a nervous wreck with all that fog. Knew you’d pass the inspection. Keeping you in my prayers.

    • Chris

      November 23, 2015 at 3:47 pm Reply

      Thanks! Love you!

  • Rita Cox

    November 23, 2015 at 8:05 pm Reply

    Wow, that much fog does sound spooky! Glad to hear the safety inspection went well. We all have a job to do in life and the Coasties do theirs well!

    • Chris

      November 23, 2015 at 8:08 pm Reply

      OMG! It was incredibly eerie! And, we have utmost respect for the USCG! Just hope we never are in need of their services!

  • Evan Davila

    November 23, 2015 at 9:05 pm Reply

    Here’s to brighter days ,… Happy thanksgiving to you guys!

    • Chris

      November 24, 2015 at 9:44 pm Reply

      Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving to you and Cat!

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