Date: 24 December 2013. Running Aground.

© janice142
 

There are two types of boaters who have never been aground. Most common are those who never go anyplace. As for the rest, they are atrocious liars. The last time I was aground was back in 2012 and I anticipate being aground again. For me this is about a once a year event that I touch bottom though thankfully never in such a condition that I have had to be hauled off by TowBoatUS.  Knock teak!
 

It helps that I'm a poky little trawler so that even bumping the bottom does not cause much of an issue. You can get in a whole lot less trouble at five knots than at ten, or more. Plus there is so much to see and enjoy even in those long stretches of nothing, well, I enjoy puttering along nice and slow. Have I mentioned the fuel economy is better too?
 

The blue arrow is St. Andrews Sound:

Running aground is not just for novices. I have 15,000 miles at the helm and still manage to check the depth with my keel on occasion -- usually when I am not thinking clearly.  Back in early 2012 I tested the bottom when traversing the southern shore of St. Andrews Sound heading east. Yes, there was a bit less than three feet of water. Oops!
 

Because Skipper and I were in St. Andrews Sound the markers had swapped sides at the channel entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. All was well and I have a method for remembering that too. On the throttle and gear control knobs for the engine, I have one red Turks head knot and one blue. [If I ever get around to it, I shall paint the blue one green.] See photo:
 

The knots are my memory boosters -- I know from a glance which side the red markers belong on. That's particularly useful for those early morning take-offs, when the coffee is just starting to percolate through my veins.

A couple of other things that you might have noted in looking at the picture:

1. The red Turks Head knot is on the left side of the throttle control which reminds me I need to keep my red markers to the port side.

2. The blue (eventually Green) is on the wheel. That's tells me to open the thru hull for my engine prior to starting her.

3. The cleat also has a bungee cord around it and the wheel. That was one of those Good Ideas in Theory that was not so great in practice!
    

You see, most boats that can track only require a bit of help in order to stay on course. Unfortunately Seaweed does not have that ability and requires constant steering. The cleat is not totally useless, however it is essentially ineffective!  Anyway, if your boat holds her course a way of securing the wheel can allow hands off steering. I hope this works better for you than it did for me.

By using a bungee cord, if I have to turn the wheel sharply (to avoid a crab pot for instance) I can do so. That is precisely why I advocate a bungee versus a regular line to the wheel. You MUST be able to react immediately. Just something to keep in mind...
 

I want to live in Theory. Everything works there!

And now, back to our discussion of testing the depth so to speak. Please look at the following chart (specifically by the red star) and see if you can see where I goofed:
 

I was heading east toward a nice little anchorage doing just fine cutting the corner as Seaweed only draws three feet. For some reason did not take into consideration a full moon with the associated extra low tide. Then just to make things a little less perfect, I forgot that heading into the bayou meant the marker colors would again swap sides. Oh, I was doing fine (not bad at least, and certainly not aground) until I spotted that Red  #2 marker and tucked inside it. Much to my consternation Seaweed ended up in that 1' area you can clearly see if you look at the stinking chart -- unlike me until I went bump, thump, and then nothing. Sigh.
 

Fortunately the tide was incoming (why does a rising tide take so much longer than a falling one?!) so I could sit there and pretend I had meant to do this. There were of course a lot of keel marks in the sand so at least I had the comfort of knowing I was not the only woman who thinks her aft end is smaller than it actually is!
 

When the tide came up about an hour later Seaweed floated off and we tucked into the bayou for a time.  I prefer nooks and crannies as the fetch is less and that means I can relax and enjoy the scenery more.  Plus it is fun to explore with Skipper in Algae my dinghy along the shoreline.

Today's Lesson is a simple one: ALWAYS look at your chart and remember to pay particular attention near inlets. I did not, and fortunately that mistake only cost me a bit of embarrassment. A boat going faster or with an unprotected propeller could have had a serious problem. Be safe, and happy cruising.
 

I'd love to hear from others who stray from the marked channel.
And, have you ever run aground? Please provide details! (anonymously is fine)
 

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