It is Sunday - we are docked in Salem - maybe for a few days - but, a nice place to be! Although the weather is rainy with fog encroaching from everywhere, it's not so bad.
To recap the woes of yesterday.....
We left Harpswell under the watchful eye of this heron (and many other seabirds). The water was calm until we hit the open ocean of the Gulf of Maine. Not so calm then! The boat served us well, rockin' and rollin' along the way - whatever we couldn't tie down (furniture), we left to move at will. I had learned to make sandwiches before the trip commenced, so lunch was available when anyone was hungry.
Along the way, we passed fishing boats - lobster, striped bass, shark and possible other fish - bobbing in the rough waters. We listened in on a Mayday call - we were too far away to provide any help - a 25 foot vessel who had lost all power - not a good day for that. The Coast Guard was on it - all seemed to be well in the end. After about 6 hours in these waters, we entered the Annisquam River - an welcome oasis of calmness. As we approached Gloucester, the scenery was spectacular. Very large homes, lighthouses (quel surprise) and rocky shores. Staying in the channel was very important!
Some photos from the Annisquam River.
As we approached the Blynman Drawbridge, waiting for the attendant to lift the span, Greg was unable to put the starboard engine in gear. We motored through on the port engine, then quickly located a mooring ball that, with the permission of the Eastern Point Yacht Club, we could tie up on to assess the issue.
At this point I must sing the praises of Jason Walsh, the ex-navy sailor (and workmate of Rollie Cudmore's) who joined us to provide support to Greg as far as Montauk. He has provided practical, navigational, and mechanical support that has been well received. As a certified diver, he volunteered to jump in the water to assess our props, as he and Greg thought they may have been entangled with stray ropes - not our issue. A call to Safe Harbor Hawthorne Cove in Salem cemented our plan - we would continue there on one engine as they have a Cummins diesel mechanic to look at the boat.
From where we sit at Safe Harbor Hawthorne Cove Marina in Salem Harbour.
After showers - not quite as well appointed as SH Rockland, but just as welcome - we hit the Mercy Tavern for supper, beers and a really great jazz ensemble. Given the Pride Day parade had occurred today, the bar was celebrating diversity at its finest!
So, we are here for a day or two, until we can diagnose and fix the issue.
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