Highlights: the narrows between Petersburg and Wrangell is among the busiest portions of water we've come across, both directions. Fishing boats, barges, pleasure craft, locals...it seems everyone uses this passageway that connects two of the more central towns within SE Alaska. We experienced our first significant mechanical issue with one of the boat's engines, and locals helped come to the rescue...
Another very low tide morning at the Petersburg marina prior to departure...
Most of the marinas in Alaska provide "grids" that allow boats to be "dry docked" at no charge by tying up at the head of the marina and letting the tide rest the vessel on a large grid. Sign-up sheets are usually posted on a first-come-first-serve basis. Here, the "Pacific Queen", a large fishing boat, was being bottom-painted by its hardworking crew almost around the clock...
Exiting the Petersburg marina one is again reminded of the dangers of these waters. At low tide, this shipwreck is even more dramatic. It will not be the last boat we see listing dramatically in the weeks to come, but part of our flotilla will get involved in a rescue that resulted in a far better outcome. Stay tuned for another blog entry during one of our last anchorages in Alaska...
Wrangell Narrows, connecting Petersburg and Wrangell, provides a well-protected area for locals to homestead and operate their fishing vessels..
These narrows are well-marked, but can be busy with all sorts of marine traffic...
...like this tug with barge, which has the right of way. It is our responsibility to stay clear, just as you see Journey and Beyond giving right-of-way below...
Nearing the southern terminus of Wrangell Narrows, and having transited an inordinate amount of kelp beds and seaweed that seemed to choke much of the narrows, Beyond suddenly came to an abrupt stop just in front of Seaquel. Pam and Ollie noticed that their engine temperature suddenly spiked well above the 174-190 degree range that we typically see, and the likely culprit was kelp blocking the raw water intake that cools the engine. Calling Glen in Journey up ahead to alert him to the issue, Glen noticed a convenient, private dock anchored in mid-channel just ahead and suggested that Beyond moor to it and he would raft up alongside her. Meanwhile, Seaquel would circle in case our assistance was needed...
Glen confirmed the initial assessment of a clogged raw-water intake, which is an ever-present concern when boating in a salt water environment...
Glen's 1st attempt to dislodge the clogged intake was to dismantle the bowl that we check daily for debris that provides access to the intake, as well as opening the two ends of the heat exchanger, and flushing these with the raw water washdown. But realizing that Journey's washdown pump was not working (and Beyond's now out of commission as well), Seaquel rafted up to Journey so we could use our washdown in an effort to clear out debris...
Unfortunately, the small 12V pump that powers our raw water washdown pump was not powerful enough to flush out the clog, which seemed extraordinarily jammed. Dan LaForce, the home owner whose dock we had commandeered, called us on the VHF radio to ask if he could lend assistance. Glen asked: "Do you happen to have a gas pressure washer?" Dan: "Yes!"
Seaquel carries a wetsuit, dry suit, flippers, mask, and snorkel on board and we considered one of us diving the boat. But Glen, with his own mask, was able to hold his head underwater from Beyond's swim step to verify the issue.
Dan took Mark to shore to help him get the gas pressure washer from his home...
All hands on deck! Everyone jumped in to help as needed, and we got the gas-powered pressure washer set up on the dock...
Glen worked relentlessly to blast the debris free from the intake. It took a couple of hours, but looked like it was now functioning...
A significant risk to the operation was keeping the three boats rafted together without incurring damage, as there would be significant boat wake when some of the busy traffic went by. While Glen continued to work to loosen the clog, the Pam, Ollie, Peggy, and Mark would hold the boats steady when waves hit from passing boats.
Another risk was that when the tide changes, these narrows become something akin to a river, with rapids running up to 9 knots. We were already starting to see the currents build between the boats, and there was risk to the dock with the weight of all three boats rafted as the current became stronger...
Suddenly, we got an urgent call on the VHF radio from Dan's wife, Katy, who was watching the operation from their home ashore while monitoring the radio. An Alaskan State Ferry was coming, and the wake it would throw could be very dangerous to the three of our boats rafted together. We quickly dispersed just in time...
Katy also called channel 16 to alert the ferry captain of the emergency repair taking place mid-channel, and though the ferries would not normally alter their course or speed, he was kind to slow down and minimize the wake on the dock...
A close-up view from Seaquel's helm of the ferry passing by very close due to the narrowness of this channel ...
The clog now free, Dan returned the pressure washer, and brought Katy back out to meet our flotilla. Katy was gracious to give us home-baked cookies that they sell as part of operating their "North Point Cabin"...
Dan LaForce & Katy McKerney: Alaskan homesteaders, fellow boaters, bakers of wonderful cookies, entrepreneurs, and generally kind-hearted souls...
Repairs completed (for now), it is getting late and some fog is beginning to move in. We need to find a nearby anchorage and rest...
Our original plan was to get to Wrangell, but due to the late hour and exhausted crews, we sought anchorage at nearby Keene Island.
Beyond ran at normal temps after the flushing of the system, but because the engine ran hot for a brief period, we would want to change the impeller (rubber paddle wheel) that likely sustained some damage during the brief period when water was not lubricating/cooling the system. We all carry multiple spare impellers as this is not an uncommon issue - looks like Wrangell dock will be tomorrow's destination to replace the impeller with a spare.
~Mark
No comments:
Post a Comment