Swift

Northbound: Broad Creek to River Dunes Marina

We turned on the radio to listen to the weather (our phones aren’t working!!! oh the humanity!) NWS reports strong thunderstorms with 60 mile an hour winds and hail. Both of our anchored friends departed. The thunderstorm extended from Bath, over the intracoastal, to Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke, basically all possible destinations that we were planning on. After a quick conference, we decided to go to a nearby marina, dock, and use their laundry and courtesy car. We haven’t done a full provision since we left (2 months ago) and we are out of chocolate biscuits and salt and vinegar chips….. so the decision was easy!

After confirming over radio that the marina had space, Navy Aircraft hailed Carnival Sunshine, switch to 22. Nosey Parkers that we are, we switched with them. Please be aware you are in a missile launch zone. Head to compass course 270 for 5 miles. (It was a one sided conversation, Carnival obviously being too far away).

The Navy repeated this information several times - was Carnival arguing about the instructions? Did he have particularly annoying passengers on board and prefer getting hit with a missile than suffering through another minute of infernal whining? What if Channel 16 was broadcast throughout the ship - would the passengers be writing Grumpy Passenger reviews - "sitting at the bar, having lovely time until the Captain steered us into a war zone and the Navy threatened missiles against their own citizens, mood dampened."

We got to our dock, tied up and were hit by a 55 knot gust front, lightning and thunder. Hastings got in my lap - so you know it was bad!

Instead of being stuck in the bay in the middle of a thunderstorm, we were able to run to the grocery store, get our propane refilled, get laundry done, and use wifi. Not a bad exchange!

Stormy!
Distance Travelled: Approx 200 yards from the anchorage to the marina!

This is the story of Matt, Lucy and Hastings, the crew of the sailing vessel Dulcinea, a 1985 Cabo Rico 38.

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6 comments

  1. TheCambriansAugust 2, 2016 at 11:03 AM

    We ended up in the middle of a lightening storm a few years ago (they're not common up here) and, I have to tell you, it was one of the more nerve-racking days we've had on the water. I don't envy you guys and I think Hastings has the right idea -- hide!!! ;)

    Stephanie @ SV CAMBRIA

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    Replies
    1. Boat Life Larks - S/V DulcineaAugust 2, 2016 at 4:29 PM

      It sure is scary. Unfortunately, hiding and hoping for the best is the only thing to do!

      Delete
  2. LiesbetAugust 2, 2016 at 12:14 PM

    Looks like you made the best out of a crappy situation. Being at anchor during massive storms is always nerve-racking. I'm glad you missed that experience this time! We had thunder and lightning last night as well and our temporary dog Jenny was not a happy pup. Unfortunately, she doesn't like to snuggle, so we comforted her with words, until the front passed.

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    Replies
    1. Boat Life Larks - S/V DulcineaAugust 2, 2016 at 4:33 PM

      Not a snuggler, eh? Hastings only likes to snuggle on his own terms. I think we wants to move to the west coast where there are no storms!

      Delete
  3. The Cynical SailorAugust 3, 2016 at 9:37 AM

    Well, that sounds like an exciting day! It's good to have marina days now and then, especially when you're running low on essential supplies, like chocolate biscuits.

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