22 August, 2021. The Scariest night of the entire loop

 

Middle of the night relocation of 5 miles

I am still banging my head against the bulkhead for allowing myself to anchor where we did.  Poor decision, should have anchored back up river at a spot which was tucked behind an island well away from the main channel.  Complacency is evil.  While I had talked to a tow captain via radio late in the day yesterday, and was assured we were in an ok spot, it still was not the best spot.  A tow and barge complex passed south to north at sunset and Serenity and crew were well clear, nearly 100 yards east of the channel so we felt OK with our anchor position.

Just after midnight,  how I heard the blaring blast of loud horns I don’t know but I did, and bolted up to the helm station.  The cockpit and helm station were flooded with bright white lights of the on coming tow. I nearly soiled my pants.  I fired up the diesel with really no place to move.  Water was too shallow behind us and the multiple barges too long to go forward.  The strong searchlight from the tow was illuminating a red buoy and clearly the tow/barge was on the wrong side of the channel, squeezing our safety space.  There was also a strong 10-12 mph north wind causing the tow/barges to drift toward us as the tow captain realized his error and had stopped forward movement and was beginning to back up.  At this time I was pretty sure the lead barge was going to hit us.  I stared in shock as the green navigation light at the starboard forward corner came dangerously close to Serenity.  How close?  Adrenaline, shock, disbelief, I probably estimated too close, but it was frighteningly too close.  With maneuver room, I went to the bow to retrieve the anchor while POC manned the helm.  Anchor up we maneuvered to the channel and the red buoy to our starboard bow—the same buoy the tow/barge was about to run over and got safely into the channel and in front of the stopped tow.  Back at the helm, I was finally able to contact the tow captain on the radio.  He also seems a bit confused and maybe in shock as we were.  I requested he shut off his brighter than the sun searchlight and Serenity would pass on the one whistle as we headed south and out of his way.  He complied and we passed safely port to port.

Late night AIS screen capture of tow/barge

Thank God for our safety, a full moon, clear skies, GPS and accurate electronic navigation charts enabling us to maneuver.  There were two marinas about five miles ahead but due to the lower river level, entry at night with uncertain visual guidance was not desired.  Studying the charts we found a spot where there was more water depth east of the channel and where the channel makes a gentle curved to the west.  Proceeding very slowly, and observing the unlighted day channel markers and visually sighting the lighted markers we pick our way south to where we felt we could get out of the channel, anchor and wait for sunrise.  We noticed the bright lights of a southbound tow/barge complex and confirmed via AIS it was traveling toward us.  I contacted the tow captain on Channel 13 and told him where we were and what we intended to do.  He acknowledged seeing us electronically and would find us visually once he got closer.  So we idled around in circles in 8 feet of water, in the dark, aided by GPS and electronic charts all the while watching the oncoming tow approach us.  This tow/barge complex passed easily 1/2 mile west of us.  Good to go we dropped the anchor at 0130.  Nearly two hours of maneuvering in the dark.  We hugged each other, calmed down, set the anchor alarm. Dazed and fatigued, surprisingly we fell quickly to sleep.

Around sunrise we woke up, still anchored in our safe spot and surveyed our surroundings.  Pretty close to the eastern edge of the river, but a good 1.5 miles from the western edge.  Channel markers well away from us.  Around 0800 I called the Illinois Valley Yacht Club on the phone.  Yes they had diesel but there was a leak but expected repairs after the weekend and yes they would take transit boaters and we were welcomed.  After last night we needed a break off the water and Serenity was at 1/3 fuel remaining and next available refuel was too far down the river.  Reviewing the checklists, hauled up the anchor, underway at 0840 and we safely secured in a marina slip at 0900.  We were greeted by the assistant harbor host and a neighboring boater who caught our lines.  Illinois Vally Yacht Club. What a welcoming place to relax.  Excellent bath and shower facilities, air conditioned spaces to cool off and a large swimming pool.  

We will remain here and wait for the diesel fuel delivery to be repaired.  We are visiting friends today.  We have boat projects and personal finance business to work on tomorrow.  Slow down a bit and study the charts.  

Lessons re-learned.  Complacency kills.  We finished the big waters, waves, winds of the Great Lakes to the calm and narrow waters of the inland waterways, so we relaxed our guard a bit.  While I had checked the river level, just had not paid much attention till last night.  The river is two feel below pool and we had less water to anchor in and less maneuver room last night.  Implied schedules with water travel lead to poor decisions.  Tow/barge complexes have the right of way because they don’t stop very fast and are restricted in their maneuver ability.  Humans make mistakes.  Last night’s tow captain clearly navigated outside of the channel; while we were clear of the channel, there really was no margin for errors.  Will not intentionally do that again.

5839 SM traveled; 2020.0 hours hobbs