6:36 am
Friday, September 10, 1999
Day 7
So much to say, so little time.
I'm sorry I didn't get an e-mail off yesterday, (I appreciate all the phone calls checking on our status-I can't wait to see this cellular bill) but as you will see as I give you a update--- it was not possible to send on yesterday.Wednesday.....
On my last update we were at anchor in a cove in Cape Girardeau, MO. on the Mississippi.
I was feeling pretty good about getting the engine repaired, because I had made all the right calls the day before, and I just assumed that the wheels were in motion. Wouldn't you?
After I sent my e-mail to you I waited for those return calls--- that never came. So I started calling again. This time I reminded everyone why I bought this boat, and these type of engines.
Probably the biggest was Tony at Harborside Marina (where I bought the boat) He called everyone as well to see if he could someone's attention. (I would love to give you the details of some of the conversations I had, cause they were special, but there just isn't time) But before it was over I talked to the people who built the boat. The Detroit engine company who supports their engines in these boats. And even the salesman who sells these engines to Cruisers Yachts.
We were starting to get somewhere, but here we were floating in the middle of the Mississippi waiting for someone to tell us where to go for repairs. I mean this literally. We were dogging tows, and barge traffic in the middle of the river, cause that is where we had good cell phone signal. Every 5 minutes someone different would tell me that someone else would call me back in 5 minutes. Those conversations began at 9:30, and ended at 11:30. At that point some finally told us to head down river, and we could deal with it there. Which exactly what I had said was our only option at 1:00 the day before.
Anyway......we headed down to Cairo (48 miles) and talked to various people (when we had signal) along the way. By the time we got there we had two different companies calling me and wanting to work on the boat. At one point I had three calls going on at the same time. I had a cell phone in each ear, and one on hold via call waiting. We were getting action. The thing that I told them was that is was going to be tricky finding a place to tie up in Cairo, so I said we should go to Green Turtle Bay. It was 80 miles further, but they have a full service facility. No problem I was told, they could find us a place in Cairo.
This is where the story really begins!
As we are talking to the service person we had chosen (between the two) he told me he had made a call to his friends in Cairo, and all we had to do was pull up along the yellow wall next to the city, and tie up, or anchor there.
I knew we had a problem. First there was no wall to tie to---it was 50
feet---up--- from the waters edge. Secondly, we were in one of the busiest harbors in the entire river network (where the Ohio meets the Mississippi, and there were tows and barges going everywhere) and it wouldn't be safe to anchor here! He said not to worry, just call this person he had talked to and he would give me clear instructions. (we had one other problem in that it was getting late, and we couldn't make it up river to a safe anchoring
spot) So I called this guy, but he didn't have a clue what I was talking about. He told me to call the "Ronnie Tucker" he was in charge of all of the spots where someone would put barges, and stuff, in the harbor and he could help me.
So I called, and he told me to anchor right there where I was (Neal---this is where you called me on the cell phone) I asked him if was safe and he
said,---- "NO PROBLEM"!
We were in 25 t 30 feet of water. That's not good because you need a lot of anchor line to make sure it wouldn't drag. He said don't worry it gets much shallower near the bank---really?
With no other choice we dropped the hook close to the bank in 20 feet of water. I was concerned that we would swing into the shore, so we decided to put out an aft anchor. Good idea, but the current was so strong, and the bottom so bad that it wouldn't hold. So I had to get the big anchor out of the engine room, and set it up with chain, and 200 feet of rope. We put the dinghy in the water---the anchor in the dinghy---motored out away from the boat and dropped it in the water. After two tries it stuck, so we felt were safe for the night. Can you sense anything coming here?
After dinner, but before going to bed the wind really picked up-right at our side, so we were being blown directly into shore. Not to worry though because we had two anchors, and they were both holding-actually they were both straining. It's funny that after the exact right combination of bloody marys, beer, gin, and wine you feel safe. (this is getting too long so I'll skip all the parts about the tow boat coming up along side us and seeing if they could see in, and showing off his maneuvering skills) During the night we rocked quite a bit from the wind, and the boats going by, but at 3 am we were blasted by a wave that made Deb and I sit up straight in bed. We thought we were hit, or on the shore. We ran out to see no one, and to find we were still at anchor.
I tried to go back to sleep, but couldn't so I got up to make coffee, and send an e-mail. As I was getting the computer, I looked outside to find we had moved, and we were much closer to the shore. I felt that if we got much closer I would not be able to use the engines to get us off.
This was not good. It was 4 am. Over 2 hours to daylight, and I did not want to be out there with all those tows and barge traffic. I also didn't like the thought of being on that rocky shore. I thought about it for a while, then went and woke the crew to tell them my decision.
There was not a question, or complaint, just a "what do you want me to do".
Without much of an issue we got both anchors up, and headed out into the main channel. I had the radar on, and was just getting used to the dark when I turned around and thought I saw a barge coming up fairly fast from behind. (tells you how fast we were going) I was right, so I was trying to plan how to get out of his way when the radar, and the running lights went out. (no I am not kidding) It seems that the person who installed the radar put it on the same circuit breaker as the running lights. (seems logical to me---why would you ever need those at the same time) I must admit I was a little concerned, but you should have seen Donna. She kept saying "do you think he sees us? Do you think he sees us?" she was jumping and waving her arms in a motion like she was trying to maneuver in a 747. She was so shook up that she finally said "I can't stand this,---- I'm going below". I would have laughed then, but we still had to get out of this guys way.
With a calm head, Darrell found the circuit breaker, and we had lights again. (No radar I didn't want to take a chance). The tow captain call me on the VHF and asked us if he could pass us (like I had a choice) and he even used his huge spot light to tell us what part of the bridge we should pass under. (did I mention we were coming to a bridge?) The name of the tow was "The City of Rosebud", or as he said on the radio "Roze--buudd".
He was a very nice guy, so I told him of my problem, and ask him if could follow him. I also told him to keep me out of trouble-if he could-by telling me what may lie ahead that I couldn't se, or wouldn't know about. He said, "no problem", and we let him pass, and quickly got in line.
The next two hours went fine, but I will always remember them. At about 6:15 the sky got light enough to see the markers without a spotlight. Shortly after that the sun came up, and we could tell we were in store for a beautiful day.
And it was.
By 5:30 PM we were in Green Turtle Bay, fueled up, pumped out, and secured for the night. It is a great feeling to once again be tied to a dock. We all got the drink of our choice, and toasted our adventure. The plan was for the mechanic to on board first thing in the morning.
It's now 9:15 am on Friday the mechanic is here, and he's not sure what the problem is. In one breath he'll say "no problem", and the next he'll say "she doesn't look good" He has just pulled some side covers off the engine and said "it looks bad". "What does that mean", I asked. He said "aaah don't worry", and starts to tell me about other boats that he has repaired.
It' s now 2:30, and the mechanic still isn't sure-doesn't look good for this engine.
That's where we're at. I'll keep you posted.........
BK
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