SV Sea Hawk Journeys: Grounded!

October 9 - October 15

I have heard it said it is not if you will ground but when, well we had our first grounding. We have not a connection for the last couple of days and had to rely with only Skipper Bob. We usually cross-check Skipper Bob with Active Captain. We came into an ox bow at MM 331.3 staying close to the south shore as recommended when the ground came up and we couldn’t back fast enough. None of our efforts, backing the boat, rocking the boat, nor pulling on a stern anchor could free us. The Brittany Ann, a tow, was close and Bruce called and asked if they could assist. The very nice tow captain agreed but said it would be about 30 minutes. In the meantime a trawler came by and offered to assist. He was able to pull us off without difficulty. While the trawler was maneuvering Brittany Ann came back and stood by. So there was a trawler looming over our stern and the tow standing by, I wish I could have got a picture. It was a soft bottom and no apparent damage to the boat. Thank you to the trawler, whose name we didn't get, and the Brittany Ann. We went down to the second entrance of the ox bow at MM 329.2 and went down quite a ways to just past the railroad bridge. It was a good anchorage and we set the anchor quickly.

Anybody know what this structure is? I imagined it to be Rapunzel’s tower with Rapunzel letting down her long hair for her prince. I just love fairy tales.

We were anchored in front of this structure

We came into Demopolis on October 15 and stayed at Kingfisher Marina. Apparently the fuel dock is at the second (going downriver) marina which is the Demopolis Yacht Basin but our charts showed a second tucked away marina also called by the same name. When we pulled in we asked a guy on the dock if we were at the right place. He tried explaining and we were totally confused. So let me try to explain for those coming behind. The first entrance is the new marina called `Kingfisher Marina’ and contains slips and the second entrance, which is easier to see from the river, is the old marina which has the fuel dock, you can’t get fuel at the first entrance. You can also get a slip assignment at the fuel dock. My understanding is just the fuel dock is used in the old marina. So we got fuel in the old marina and then went back to the first entrance to enter the Kingfisher Marina for our slip. This marina also provides fuel for the tows and you will see the jettys in front of the fuel dock. I hope this was clear, I am still a little confused, lol. We did have a great stay there. Anna-Marie keeps everything running at the slips and she was great! If you need a courtesy car, go through her to schedule. She also has a rock painting station in the lounge and likes to take pictures of people who paint or find a painted rock. You may find my rock, I left it hidden on the dock. It won’t be hard to identify, it says `Sea Hawk’. I am not very creative but there were some well designed rocks that others created.