3 December, 2019 Dog River to Bon Secour River South Fork anchorage

BIG cargo ship, one tow on ICW; 5.0 engine hours; 34 sm traveled

Woke to a reasonably calm morning, colder at 36 degrees, but the boat was steady and the wind no longer howling.  Unrestricted visibly, in the colder clear air.  We were anxious to be moving and see someplace new.  POC jumped rope, while I secured the many lines and fenders/bumpers arrayed around our little space at the wooden pier.  Purchased a bag of ice for the coolers, reviewed the float plan, navigation plan, prayer plan and untie the lines checklist.  Walked the length of the boat from the pier checking for lines, junk and any extraneous stuff left adrift, we were ready to fire up the Yanmar and depart.  U/W at 0745, plenty of water under the keel and facing into a 10 mph north wind, we cleared the dock without incident.  Turning directly into the low angled sun, we squinted to make our way eastward in the Dog River channel to join the Mobile shipping chanel.  Thirty minutes later we were on a course of 176 degrees following the main channel.  Having spoken to several “old hands” around the marina, we confirmed that yes we could cut the corner and cross the bay safely to intercept the Gulf Inter-coastal Waterway. (GICW)  The chart showed 10-8 foot depths, but I was more comfortable with the conformation from the locals.

Electronic chart

At two hours and 15 minutes to cross Mobile Bay after leaving the shipping channel,  this would be our largest body of water crossing to date.  Prelude to the BIG BEND crossing that is in the future. Initially choppy with 1-2 foot aft quartering to beam seas, the winds died down considerably and seas flatten out and were gently rolling to almost calm once on the lee side of East Mobile bay.  Navigation by paper chart (electronic back up) we had plotted our course, did the time/distance calculations, accounted for set and drift and took sighting fixes along the way.  A good review for us.  Finally, with binocular aid spotted the ICW day markers, then with our eye balls.  We identified our desired day marker RED 120, and proceed east on the ICW.

Big bay

We wanted to do a short day and had picked an anchorage about five hours away.   Well marked but shallowing in spots to 6 feet, we make our way up the Bon Secour River, taking the south fork about a mile to the anchorage.  (Bon Secour) We are near Nelson Boat Yard.  Securely anchored at 1230 in 8 feet of water.  Really a lovely area.  Chilly, 55 with 10 mph breeze and sea water surface temperature 60.9 degrees.  Dolphins have been herding fish in the shallows all afternoon.  We have been watching, hearing and marveling in their antics. (map)

1229.8 hobbs; 934 sm.