Leaving Norfolk, VA this morning waiting for channel clearance from the US Navy.
US Navy Shipyard
US Navy Shipyard
Freighters at Norfolk Va harbor.
80' Broward destroyed in a 3:00 AM fire this morning at York River Yacht Haven.
Happy 10th Birthday to our Granddaughter Lauren Lanum!
Today’s NOAA Weather Underground forecasted 2-3’ waves but later in the morning the winds and waves were to calm down. We left Waterside Marina at 8:45 thinking by the time we got off the Elizabeth River and on the Chesapeake Bay it would be late morning. Either we didn’t wait long enough for the weather or the prediction was wrong as we had 3’ and sometimes 4 ‘waves to contend with all morning until we reached the York River heading to York River Yacht Haven. This wasn’t quite as rough as the Gulf Crossing but a close second, however, this time it was daylight, and the time frame was for about 5-hours. We were happy to reach the York River. The winds have been severe for about the last 14 days straight.
Leaving Norfolk, we passed the 4,300 acre Naval Station, the largest naval base in the world, plus we had U.S Navy War Ships, freighters, pilot boats, tug boats, cruising boats, sail boats, fishing boats and U.S Coast Guard vessels coming and going in every direction. This is a very busy port. The radio chatter on channel 13, & 16 is non-stop. Trying to stay out of the way of U.S. Navy vessels, dozens of very large tug boats, and international freighters coming and leaving the Norfolk area is very trying. I would hate to call this my home cruising grounds.
We arrived at York River Yacht Haven in Gloucester Point, VA at 2:30 and were informed on the VHF radio that 2-3 boats had caught fire at 3:00 A.M this morning on the same pier as our assigned transient slip. One of boats in the fire was an 80’ Broward. Another 35’ vessel sank at the dock. At the moment it is undetermined which boat caught fire first since the damage and heat was so severe. No human injuries and fortunately the marina acted promptly and managed to get the burning boats free from the dock before a catastrophic disaster occurred from one boat to another. Can you image the potential danger with all the fuel sitting in about 50 fiberglass boats tied to pier and strong winds.
Our boat is a crusty salty mess from the high waves so we immediately got things ready to rinse the salt off but found the water was shut off due to the fire damage to the dock. Don't touch the rail as you walk by. Hopefully it will be on in the morning.
This is Monday and guess what day the on site marina restaurant is closed??? Bike riding is on the highway without a bike path but the marina does have a courtesy car available plus a shuttle to take you to Yorktown. We’ll do that tomorrow. We plan on staying put for a few days hoping this relentless wind will diminish. This Chesapeake Bay is just too wide and long for a comfortable ride in high winds.
We had a nice quite evening dinner on board, chilled out after a tense day. Watched news and Tuesday night dancing with the Stars.
Thank God you didn't arrive at York River Haven the day before!!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you meet my Dad, Stan Mitchell. He is in his early 80s and lucked out that the wind blew away from his 36-foot Canadian Sailing Yacht with the blue bimini docked diagonally across from the boats on fire. He loves his boat! Ultimo. Have fun in the area, we love it here.
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