M/Y Mary Ann

Captain John has proclaimed that departure from our slip here in Marina Bay is imminent. “Imminent” is beginning to take on a new meaning, for that has been the state of our departure since we arrived here four days ago. This morning Isabel and I received his proclamation at 0700. Immediately after it was given he departed for shore “to do a last minute errand” and we have not seen hide or hair of him since. Probably he is listening to tearful farewells from all of his friends, the repairmen. They are very sad to see us go.

Boy, I feel like I should go back to Captain’ school! There is no doubt whatever that this Intracoastal Waterway business is confusing. The old rules are best forgotten as new aids to navigation along this route seem to have their own identity codes thus far. “Red Right Returning?” Maybe yes, maybe no, depends on whether you’re going upstream or downstream, inland or outbound, old channel or new channel. Sure gets your pulse going.

The mysterious eastern Air Conditioning Guy arrived early in the morning with his helper, the boss. He had determined--as was already known to us--that there was no Freon in the A.C. system. The system was leaking they explained to us: a very astute analysis. Mysterious Easterners know how to take care of problems like this. The leaks were quickly plugged and we were at last ready to start our journey up the Intra Costal Waterway.

At 0855 this morning we departed from our Marriott Marine Resort moorage behind Hutchison Island and whomever the pirates are that attend high school somewhere on the island. Although it was a pleasant moorage we are not sorry to be gone. It is a dangerous place. Still I cannot fault the restaurant management for the treachery that befell us in their establishment. They gave us a replacement umbrella to keep and to use on our way back to the Mary Ann. After all prom queens are not the only type of women who might be concerned with the preservation of a hair do.

You see that these by-lines are all marinas. The reason for that is that I have been too uncertain about the depth of the water to try anchoring, and not very many other boats seem to be very confident either. The tidal swing is only one to two feet, but given the apparently uneven nature of the bottom, as indicated by my having rubbed along it several times every day, I’m concerned that we’ll awaken perched on a mud pile. We actually had to push our way into the marina at Hutchison Island although we were dead center in the marked channel.

I suppose that events tomorrow will prove me wrong again, but I think that either (a) we have finally gotten the bugs worked out of this boat, or (b) I have learned to fix them as they fail and before they become a nuisance. Cruising the last couple of days was a pure pleasure as we hummed along at a placid 9-10 knots burning a miserly total of 13-15 gallons of fuel per hour. The wx is quite lovely and warm with a cooling breeze coming off the ocean as you need it. The Atlantic is calm itself so we could be running outside, but with nowhere to go this processional pace is just right.

Carol and Pete Mondich arrived exactly as scheduled. Their ride by taxi from their airport hotel to the docks where we are moored took only fifteen minutes. The Mary Ann was floating in eight feet of water which we felt lucky to have as the mean low tide here is only seven feet and our clearance is six and a half feet. I was glad to see Pete and Carol arrive on a low tide because I had promised Pete that if we managed to sink the boat he could probably hold Carol by the hand and wade to shore.

I see from reviewing my father’s log that he does not consider me an expert boat person. I of course beg to differ……….I try to assist with the lines only to be pushed aside by Isabel and mom. I have boated my entire life and am accustomed to having orders screamed at me by my father. I will admit that my dad now only barks now and then and the yelling has almost ceased. However, I digress……….I only meant to point out that I am a natural hand at the lines……….given the chance.

The day is powerful hot which has even caused the multitude of bugs to collapse at our feet. I have noticed many bug carcasses on the deck when I go up top. I guess Isabel has retired to her little perch in her room and has not seen them. Speaking of Isabel……….she has made our cruise most enjoyable. Not only does she cook us many delicacies, she is working on improving my cousin Kim’s Spanish. I told Isabel that I am limited to French and so am safe from her instruction.

And it isn’t a big thing to fix! It has yet to be conclusively demonstrated, but it looks like the problem with the thrusters is not just confined to the thrusters; it applies to the entire hydraulic system. Apparently the hydraulic fluid is overheating because I have been keeping the hydraulic system activated all of the time instead of only when needed.