We finally got what seemed like a decent forecast to leave Tampa Bay and get a little farther south. Sat. night was forecast for 10-15 knot winds from the E and NE, seas 2 to 4, with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Rhumb line course after clearing Tampa Bay would be almost due S. I do not do inlets or inshore at night if at all possible, for several reasons. Not the least of which is I am color blind, picking out red and green is a problem, as well as trying to see either one when background lights are present. Also my night time depth perception ain't what it used to be. So as much as I love night sailing, I make it a point to do it offshore. The decision was made to leave Tampa Bay a little after 1600. This would give us an overnight run, and make Boca Gande pass after sunrise. Good plan and started out fine. Cleared Tampa Bay and turned S. Guess what. Winds were 10-15, seas were a little lumpy, but were in the 2 to four range, but of course the winds are SSE, and we can't run our direct route south. First strange thing happened between 9 & 10 PM. The CG is on the radio asking for everyone to watch for and assist if possible for a boat. Seems some idiot was out there in a 12 canoe, supposed to be 2 &1/2 miles from point something. Not sure whether he had been reported overdue, or had managed to call for help himself.
Then shortly before going off watch at 10:00PM I saw some lights way ahead, basically on our rhumb line. Not moving, so I assume an anchored shrimper or something. A little before midnight, Karen has the watch, and I'm sleeping when the VHF comes to life. A tug with a tow is hailing us, tells Karen we are on a collision course. She doesn't see him, but the anchored shrimp boat is ahead, and we will pass about 1/4 mile in front of him. She tells the tug she doesn't see him, and what does he want her to do. He says to alter course and pass behind the shrimper and all will be fine. And he says, by the way you have no lights showing. By this time I am up and on deck. Karen is getting anty, as someone is telling her were on a collision course with something she doesn't see. Anyway, we change course, pass behind the shrimper. I go up and check the bow light, and sure enough it's out. But we have yet to see any sign of another boat of any kind, or even a light, anywhere within our visual range. Had to have been someone on the shrimp boat screwing with us, but sure is strange.
Then of course, at 3AM, as usual when I'm on watch, a thunderstorm pops up. I must have something tatooed on my forhead about 3AM. But this one is not bad, lasts about 15 minutes with some rain. All is well again till a little after dawn, when the sky once again opens up, and this time it lasts. We ended up in the fairway off Boca Grande pass about 10 miles offshore. The wind is blowing about 25 knots, tide running out, and seas 3 to 5 and steep. All of course on the nose. Could make about 3 to 4 knots, then hit a big square wave and just stop the boat, then go again. Long wet ride in.
Then shortly before going off watch at 10:00PM I saw some lights way ahead, basically on our rhumb line. Not moving, so I assume an anchored shrimper or something. A little before midnight, Karen has the watch, and I'm sleeping when the VHF comes to life. A tug with a tow is hailing us, tells Karen we are on a collision course. She doesn't see him, but the anchored shrimp boat is ahead, and we will pass about 1/4 mile in front of him. She tells the tug she doesn't see him, and what does he want her to do. He says to alter course and pass behind the shrimper and all will be fine. And he says, by the way you have no lights showing. By this time I am up and on deck. Karen is getting anty, as someone is telling her were on a collision course with something she doesn't see. Anyway, we change course, pass behind the shrimper. I go up and check the bow light, and sure enough it's out. But we have yet to see any sign of another boat of any kind, or even a light, anywhere within our visual range. Had to have been someone on the shrimp boat screwing with us, but sure is strange.
Then of course, at 3AM, as usual when I'm on watch, a thunderstorm pops up. I must have something tatooed on my forhead about 3AM. But this one is not bad, lasts about 15 minutes with some rain. All is well again till a little after dawn, when the sky once again opens up, and this time it lasts. We ended up in the fairway off Boca Grande pass about 10 miles offshore. The wind is blowing about 25 knots, tide running out, and seas 3 to 5 and steep. All of course on the nose. Could make about 3 to 4 knots, then hit a big square wave and just stop the boat, then go again. Long wet ride in.
