Calm Water Shadow in the Mississippi Sound
Today's Sea State Predictor is three (SSP3) as there were lots of recreational fishing boats moving about in Gulfport. Sure enough, we get out of the harbor to find the kind of day that cruisers covet: sunny, cool temperatures, mild winds, and calm seas.
Recapping the last seven days in SSP terms, they were: 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 3. We were pushed into Biloxi by 3' following seas. It was a marginal SSP2 day; the sports fishermen were out, but some didn't look happy about it.
SSP0 means no one left the harbor. We didn't either and stayed tied to the dock in Biloxi for four days. Yesterday's SSP1--only commercial fisherman were leaving the harbor-- allowed us to escape to Gulfport, but for a comfortable ride we kept one foot on the beach.
One Whistle Passes
With a continuous stream of tugs on the GIWW passing miles to the south of us, we stayed close to the north shore and did some sightseeing. When the channel narrowed we had no choice but to play with the big boys. At around 11am we crossed into Louisiana and by 1pm the hook was down.
Nellie's Anchorage Behind Rabbit Island, LA
It's a 60nm run from Gulfport to New Orleans. While doable, it would be a long day and we'd arrive at the marina around sunset. Doing this is wrong on so many levels. Worst though, it's a horrible violation of the maxim utility law. For a marina this can be summarized as: arrive early to get your money's worth :-)
Sounding the Anchorage
The water was a little shinny getting into the anchorage so the dink's depth sounder was used to confirm that Nellie wouldn't go aground while swinging on the hook. While it feels like we're in the middle of nowhere, there's a very busy railroad track only 100' away. We've lost sleep at anchor for a lot of reasons but this may be a first.
On the hook behind Rabbit Island, Louisiana. 34nm today and 896nm for the trip. DBH
