PW part III

On February 20th at dawn we started out of Newport, Oregon to continue our delivery of Motor-yacht, Patty Wagon to Huntington Beach. My captain, Chris Couch, observed a U.S. Coast Guard 47 ft motor lifeboat behind so Chris had them go ahead and asked they report back bar conditions. They reported conditions for us as we followed out behind. Captain Couch in radio contact on channel 16, then channel 22. Protocol for radio use on the water, channel 16 everyone listens to then switches to another channel for actual discussion. This courageous group of young heroes perched a top their tough little boat sat still in the bar taking each wave set and held their position as we made it safely past, in constant radio contact. Chris saw a lull in the action and slipped safely out to sea. These bars are narrow rock jetties, man made, that allow for the boats to enter and exit the harbor. During slack and flood of the tides we can find windows of calm. During ebb tide when the tide is receding the waves continue to rush in against the exiting tide water. This causes waves to push up tall and break. Not only do you need ideal ocean wind/wave conditions for making a trek with a boat but it must be timed with tide to make your exit from your port! Dang, they don't make this stuff easy.

Now we move out onto the water. The sunrise off shore was another breath taking moment. From that moment on I never got it back, my breath that is. On top for the first hour or so, remainder of my day was spent below with diarrhea and vomiting. Graphic, I know, but true. In a blur several times I was asked to come up to take a brief watch while my poor captain single handed the day. Our weather conditions were un-forecasted. We experienced much higher wind events then was predicted. The boat road very rough over the water which seemed to go on forever. Now I have to say my first thought of yesterday is that I let my Captain down somehow. He says not. I feel I should have been able to pull it together somehow. He says he knows how I was feeling and was sorry I had such a rotten day. How does he do it? When do you get past this place in boating when the chop doesn't kick your butt? He has been kind and understanding. I hope he will continue to push me when I drop into a puddle of barf. Make me get up. Remind me I have duties to attend to. I want to shake the blur and make my way. Once he moved me to the stern of the salon area so that I would have a better ride, reminding me that the boat moves more when toward the bow. This helped so much, thank you Chris.

So here we sit in one of the most sunny coastal cities in Oregon - Brookings. We entered the "mini bar" here without incident, calm and serene. Almost completely recovered when Chris woke me to come up on top to see the bar entrance, again I feel like I should have been more somehow yesterday. I owe him. He says he'll take it out in trade... Hmmmmm.

Once again the U.S. Coast Guard who are stationed here make their presence known. Now remember, Chris use to be in charge of these Coast Guard stations so guess who gets boarded? This is kinda like being pulled over by the police for an inspection. My Captain is completely at home with this, knows exactly where and what these fine young gentlemen need from him. Chris later tells me that in the 20 plus years boating as a private yacht captain he has only ever been boarded 2 other times! These young men shine like beacons to me. I know they are there for us if we ever need them in a bad situation. Even on our previous leg of this trip we reported to the coast guard of a navigational hazard of tsunami debris. They were so gracious and professional in taking down coordinates, asking for photos and reporting to all other boaters of our find. I know this organization deserves much respect in what they do every single day.

The day is now Friday, the 22nd of February. We hold our position here in Brookings until, please God.... Make the seas flat.