Another Quiet Day on the Water (with special thanks to the US Coast Guard)

A favorable wind on Thursday morning and the prospect of deteriorating weather Friday prompted us to cast off early from South Jersey Marina, Cape May, and head for Ocean City, Md, 30 miles away. Ocean City holds a warm spot in my memory for it provided respite after a tropical storm caught us offshore in October 2000. My brother, Craig; our friend, JW; and I were sailing my old boat, Beaujolais, a 33 foot fin keeled sloop, to the Keys in preparation for a cruise to Cuba. Our first leg was Newport, RI to Norfolk, VA. About halfway there we were hit with gale force winds out of the northeast that made for a pretty rough time. Exhausted, we detoured to Ocean City for a hot meal, showers and rest. Since then, I have always thought well of Ocean City and looked forward to entering the inlet once again.

As soon as we passed out of the Cape May Inlet, we raised our jib and mizzen in a NE 10-15 knot wind that moved us along nicely in 2 to 4 foot seas. The sun came out and we were finally sailing! Sailing at last. Everything was working and it felt really, really good. We followed the coast about 4 miles offshore and sailed most of the day. Around 3 in the afternoon, the wind died and we started up the engine, not wanting to risk coming into port after dark. Our best day on the water so far!

We entered the inlet around 4:30 pm as dusk fell. Sport fishing boats anchored in the channel kept us alert and the outgoing tide, running 3-4 knots was significant. We rounded buoy number 10 and turned toward White Marlin Marina, the first marina inside the harbor. Making a second pass of the marina in preparation for docking, suddenly we had no steering! The wheel spun freely with no impact on our direction! The tide began to move us inexorably toward shoal water at an alarming rate. Live Now turned broadside to the flow and we had no control over the boat at all!

I quickly ran forward to let go the anchor. Seconds later the anchor took hold with 6 and a half feet under the keel. Saved!!! We stopped right in front of the Ocean City Coast Guard Station. Pat called the Coast Guard (being smack dab in the middle of the channel at night within sight of the Station made calling a prudent move) to let them know what had happened and that I was working on the problem. The Coast Guard, professional as always, followed their script: "What is the location of your vessel (even though we were right in front of them, Pat had to give them our coordinates)?" "Do you have your life jackets on?" This followed by the instruction to put on life jackets. "How many people aboard?" "Is this a medical emergency?" These are all excellent questions, but seemed inconsistent with our situation. Working in the confines of an engine room with a life jacket on does nothing to expedite the process. Regardless the situation (boat sinking, boat on fire, or a simple inquiry about tides), the Coast Guard always asks the same questions. We know this not from personal experience,of course, but from overhearing radio communications.

With the boat safely anchored, I began trying to determine what had happened and what to do. I successfully added hydraulic fluid and pressurized the system. Still at anchor, the boat responded to the helm once again and I was confident that I could make it back to the marina. Nevertheless, the Coast Guard, rightfully, insisted that we wait for their assistance. They were concerned that if the steering failed again, we may not be able to get the anchor down in time and we would be in a world of trouble. A small, Coast Guard inflatable came alongside within minutes but we had to wait for a larger vessel to escort us to the dock. About an hour later, a 44' Cutter, Pt Lookout, arrived, tied up alongside and towed us to the fuel dock of the White Marlin Marina. It was quite the drill with shouted orders from the Chief, repeated by the sailor, statement of intention to execute, execution, confirmation of the execution, acknowledgement of the confirmation of execution. "Yoblanski!" "Sir!" "Prepare to throw starboard bow line!" "Preparing to throw starboard bow line, Sir!" "Yoblanski!" "Yes Chief!" "Throw starboard bow line!" "Starboard bow line thrown, Sir!" "Starboard bow line thrown, Yoblanski?" "Starboard bow line thrown, Sir!" As so it went. The Coast Guard had sailors waiting at the dock to take our lines and ensure that we were secure. They then confirmed vessel and crew information, checked documents and conducted a safety inspection. The Coast Guard was great. They were competent, courteous and seemed to be having a good time. We were extremely grateful.

After getting our lines set and cleaning up, we headed into town for dinner. Just another quiet day on the water.

P.S. Pat just asked for a one way ticket to Ohio for Christmas.