A Close Shave

While anchored off Water Island in St. Thomas we swung close to a couple of boats that were on moorings, one of these happened to be a rather large, dirty, steel dive boat. At about midnight, I was aroused from a deep sleep by a shuddering collision. Rae Ann, who was still up, darted up the companion way while I stuck my head out the forward hatch to see our port bow resting on the stern dive platform. Rae Ann let out a couple of loud "wholly s**t" waking a few of the near by cruisers.

We pushed ourselves off, only to drift right back down, so anchors up and we found a new spot. The next day I rubbed off the grease mark from the collision.

We have been quiet on the cruising front, laying low in the Virgin Islands. However, we have been busy preparing for the next part of our adventure. We have decided to sail to Panama from the Virgin Islands, which is about a 10 day sail. This will be by 8 days our longest continuous sail, so we approach it with excitement and uncertainty.

Rae Ann has been busy stocking food supplies for the trip and laying out additional storage places for the fresh food as she does not expect floating grocery stores in route. I have been updating boat maintenance and miscellaneous projects completed like adding securing straps for certain boat equipment.

We have decided to take on one additional crew, a friend and experienced sailor. Many of the cruisers we met and most with families were taking the route of using a third crew member, allowing for everyone to get at least one 6 hour stretch of sleep during the night. It also frees Rae Ann from watch keeping during the day where she can assist the kids.

We are now looking at possible weather windows, but hoping to be off soon.

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