April 22


The trip today was through the harbor of Norfolk.  Not the busiest harbor we have been in but it required a lot of attention.  


It was interesting saw three aircraft carriers two were in dry dock in various stages of repair and the third one the George W Bush was returning from see.  This really messed up navigation.  The rules of the road are that you are suppose to stay 500 yards from any war ship.  Now that is difficult in a small channel and lots of the holiday boats had problems.  


Heard on the Radio.

-This is patrol boat 13 (some boat Name) the aircraft carrier  warship 77 on your stern forbids you from crossing her bow and you must remain 500 yards from her.  Reply, “yes captain do you want me to run north or south.  Aye Aye I will remain as close to the starboard side as possible.  

-Sail boat with hight Hull Maintain 500 yards from the Aircraft carrier 77.  


Now I wonder how someone did not see an carrier on her stern?


Now when heard all this I started staying as close to the starboard buoy’s as I could.  When I saw the Carrier I also saw a patrol boat.  He hailed me and asked, “What my intentions were”.  I responded to stay as close to shore as possible and 500 yards from the warship.  He responded please cross the channel and stay at least 500 yards from the warship.  I imedditately made the turn at all speed and crossed in-front of the beast.  As I watched her she made a turn right into a berth.  So I guess I just did not know where she was going.  


Also seen today

-3 tows

-6 grain elevators

-2 hoover craft 

-parked next to 2 Patrol boats for training cadets

-5 landing craft

-too many other docked Navy vessels to count

-2 Submarine

-4 other warships under way all issues orders for people to stay out of their way

-4 planes landing at Norfolk Airport 2 military

-5 container ships running for Baltimore I guess.


The route took us out onto Chesapeake Bay and to save time as we are shallow we tramped up the coast outside of the main channel.  This Crab pot heaven or HELL for us.  I had to put the boat in manual and run around little tiny markers that are hard to see.  By the time I got out of one field I started dodging seagulls thinking they were markers.  


Today count of Cute little boat heard by us 5 times.








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