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Notification

November 2020: Shamal and her Crew have arrived safely back into Opua, Bay of Islands, New Zealand completing their circumnavigation a year ago. Due to Covid-19 and New Zealand's Boarders being closed, they will continue to spend their 2020/21 Summer exploring some of New Zealand's waters. Thanks to all of you for following our Adventures. There will be more.

13 January 2016

The Intracoastal Waterways - I.C.W. Part One


Hello Again

Lifting Rail Bridge
 
Swing Bridge
Once you reach the lower Chesapeake you have two options to reach Key West in Florida which is some 1,200 miles to the south. One can take the coastal Atlantic Ocean route, the outside route, or, depending on your vessel’s draft and mast height, you can take the ICW. ( Intracoastal Waterways).  Many do a mixture of both as there are safe  estuaries and channels used by big shipping to enter and exit  through.  Many though require local knowledge, the correct tide, and good weather to pass through as silting can be a major problem.  As we had sailed up the Atlantic Ocean route, we decided we would do the ICW on the return trip. We would have dozens of bridges to pass under or wait till they open for you. The Fixed Bridges are all around 65ft. Our mast is 58ft so no problem there.  Other bridges are Swing, or Bascule – lifting.  These have different opening times, usually on the hour and half hour, so you try to time your approach just before they open.  Each of these bridges has an operator whom you call ahead to and advise of your pending approach. Also we would have a couple of locks at the northern end to pass through.

10 January 2016

Cape May, New Jersey - to - Norfolk, Virginia




Hello Once More


First we want to wish EVERYONE Seasons Greetings. We hope your plans and preparations for the festive season are well underway and that you have a great one with family and friends.  As for us, well we are still meandering down the east coast of the U.S.A. not sure where we will be for Christmas.  It is so nice not to have the stress that can go with this season.  America really does know how to celebrate Christmas, and we are really enjoying seeing how the different towns that we are passing through decorate and dress themselves up with lovely decorations. Everyone really seems to get into the Christmas Spirit with shops, banks, public buildings and private homes all putting up wreaths with red ribbon, Christmas Trees, lights, and the likes.  Even some of the private docks in front of peoples homes, will have a Christmas Tree covered in lights sitting out on it.  It really is very pretty. We have even managed to catch a Christmas parade which was fun.