Tuesday, March 31, 2009
31 Mar - Day #27. Low overcast and mid 70's. We head south down the Banana River for about an hour and then anchor in front of Banana River Marine. This is where John William #68 is docked. We dingy in and John Mackie gives us a tour. Wow, has he done a lot of work. The hull and topsides have new paint. All the brightwork is redone. A new genset, AquaDrive and sound deadening insulation in the engine room, etc., etc. It's amazing what a difference the pilothouse eyebrow makes to an LNVT. John William's was temporarily removed to fix a leak and to ease painting. Our tugs are homely without the eyebrow. We then borrow John's car and head to Patrick AFB. A new military ID card for me and Groceries for Nellie. Back to the dink, say our good byes to John Mackie, and then get soaked on our way out to Nellie. The winds were 20+ kts. The Banana River is very thin but well marked. We cruise south to where it flows into the ICW (just above Melbourne, FL) and drop the hook. A lightning and thunderstorm with lots of rain moves in. 17nm today: 932nm total. DBH
