Stopped by the Coast Guard

We're on the Chesapeake nearing Baltimore when Captain Mike realizes the US Coast Guard boat following us has its blue light flashing.  To acknowledge their presence, Brenda walks from the fly bridge to the sun deck and waves. Understanding the signals from the officials, Mike throttles down Velsignet so officers can come aboard (from their moving vessel to ours). We've heard about Coast Guard checks, have prepared for them, and now we get to experience one!

"Do you have any firearms aboard ship, Captain?" was the first question Brenda hears the US Coast Guard officer say from aboard the patrol boat.  "No," Brenda responds, "Except for a US Coast Guard flare gun." With this, Officer Worely and another good-looking guy in uniform (albeit their uniforms are plain except for a bright orange life vest) came aboard Velsignet and explained they wish to do a safety check.  Mike's driver's license?  (No problem!)  Vessel Registration? (We got it!)  Life jackets? (Check!) Fire extinguishers? (Whew!  Up to date!)  US Coast Guard safety kit (Flares--all up to date!)  After providing us with documentation of the safety check for our records and allowing us a photo shoot, the two climb from our moving boat back onto theirs.  Before departure, in good nature, Officer Worely confided to Mike, "We stopped you because we saw your good looking boat and wanted a better look at it!" (That made us feel good.)

As Loopers, we highly respect the US Coast Guard and depend on them to not only keep our water borders safe, but to be on call at all times in the event we personally should need them.  Already we have learned of a call to the US Coast Guard when a Looper in his dinghy (without oars, anchor or cell phone) was being swept away from his boat and out to sea by an extremely strong tidal current.  While his wife was helpless to save him, the Coast Guard searched for him, found him and brought him back to the safety of his boat.

We arrived at the Anchorage Marina in Baltimore, MD on Friday around 2:30 pm and we are very happy with this place (This is a cooperative marina, meaning the majority of the slips are owned; like a condo vs apartment, the ownership factor lends itself to greater care in the facility and interest in meeting folks).  Velsignet is docked on a gated main dock, close to the marina's office, lounge, laundry, and swimming pool.  The marina is located a block away from a Safeway grocery, Ace Hardware, and West Marine.  While Mike is in Seattle this week, we are both feeling good about Brenda staying at this safe and secure place.

A bonus:  Loopers Penny and Dave (MV "Southern Comfort") are here!

Meet USCG Officer Worely and his assistant.  They were professional and yet personable.  It seemed the ice was broken when Brenda told them,
 "This is exciting for us!  We've heard about Coast Guard inspections and have been waiting for you!"

Our vessels never stopped moving during the inspection.  The officers came aboard and departed while on the move.

As the officers were on board carrying out the inspection, the patrol boat stayed near.

With our focus on the inspection, we weren't concentrating on the approaching container ship.  This is as close to such a ship that we've ever encountered.  It was also the largest container ship we've every seen. 

Because Velsignet continued to move, Mike or Brenda remained at the helm during the inspection.  This photo was taken from the fly bridge.

We arrived at Anchorage Marina and due to electrical issues, we moved from slip E33 (breaker issue) to C46.  However, C45 presented us a low voltage challenge.  Dave and Mike spent 3 hours brainstorming and talking through options for resolving the problem.  In the end, the marina supplied us with a voltage booster. 

This guy atop the radar unit of a nearby boat got our attention...he was noisy!!

Mike, Penny and Dave.  How we are enjoying our reunion with them!  

Our "marriage savers" arrived!  Mike in this photo is modeling our newest communication device.  Because the person at the helm and the person throwing the lines cannot always see or hear each other, we've found ourselves in a few situations where understandings differed (examples:  think boat is free when there is still a stern line; requiring immediate actions due to unforeseen water or wind conditions). The headsets will allow us to dock, set anchors, leave our slip and more without guessing or with fewer surprises.  

Marriage saved!  See how happy he is?!