25 May, 2021 Longer day than anticipated.

 

57 SM; 9.4 hours

Carefully, moving northward, but conscious of the approaching weather, we wanted to make headway today.  Last night’s anchorage video. We raised the anchor at 0730 getting underway.  We had called the AmTrack bridge operator and they said the swing bridge would open for us—good to go.  It seemed today was about waiting, fighting on the bow currents and numerous and long no-wake zones.  Just when we would get a push with a tidal current, we would arrive at a multi-mile no wake zone.  

ICW gets pretty close; no-wake zones

There are so many little cuts to the ocean all along the NJ shore, water seems to come in and out without reason.  Just when I found a tide table and thought we would get a push, more current on the bow.  Numerous low bridges that we required to open were all undergoing repair.  Bridge tenders were slow to respond to radios calls and when they did, it was “wait” out.  So we waited, often being told that the construction workers had to clear to safely open the bridge. 

Bridge work with barge in middle

Another bridge construction

 But we got through and even the unknown train swing bridge, while slow, did open just enough for us to shoot through.  The afternoon winds increased 10-12 gusting to 18 from the southwest and when opposed the tidal current made for a decent steep chop.  We had planned a couple of anchorages, but upon arrival were too exposed to the winds forecast for tonight.  So we pressed on.  Water was skinny today but not as shallow as yesterday.  We actually continued all day even during low tide.  Good to go.  Our anchorage for the night is not the best, as we remain somewhat exposed to the SW winds but we do have some protection from houses and the anchor seems to be holding very well.  Tonight’s anchorage map

We only have about 35 miles to go to Manasquan Inlet.  Small craft advisory later tomorrow and as always tidal currents to slow us way down. Oh, and the impossible to plan no-wake zones.   

3936 SM traveled; 1720.2 hours hobbs