Westport, Washington, USA
Winds 0 - 21
Seas 1-2 meters
Skies Clear Mostly, but fog over Straits and near entry to Westport
In 24 hours we covered 142 miles from the west coast of Vancouver Island to Westport. We motorsailed most of the way. As soon as we did try just sailing, the winds decreased and we were doing less then 3 knots, sails slatting, etc.
Crossing the Straits of Juan de Fuca themselves was not a big deal. Crossing traffic was. AIS is great by the way. We are able to get speed over the ground, course, closest point of approach and time to closest point of approach for the ships coming in (1 cruise ship, 2 bulk carriers). This way we were able to time crossing the traffic lanes. Imagine you are trying to cross a street, with no traffic lights and a Winnebago and 2 semis are coming down the road on after the other. You are riding a bicycle and can not peddle faster or even half as fast as the traffic. Now try to cross the street, knowing that when you start across, none of the traffic can stop or see you other than radar and AIS. Besides if you stopped in front of them, they would run you over before they could stop. Now, cross the street. This is what it was like.
Entering Westport and crossing the bar was an experience. Not as bad as some places in Australia (near Fraser Island) but still interesting. There was plenty of boat traffic, commercial fishing boats, sport fishers, large car carriers, etc. Throw in some swells, some fog, and folks who are too anxious to go out there and catch the big one before anyone else and you have the conditions.
We are safe and sound at the marina's transient dock. Time to check the gribs to see if we push on tomorrow to Newport, Oregon. Maybe some dinner at the One-eyed Crab.
No worries,
SV Windarra
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