Mosquito Creek to Skull Creek, Hilton Head (Mile 554 ICW)

Our "Fleet" at B & B Seafood Dock in Mosquito Creek





      We left at 8:30 AM after some of the shrimp boats had left, but not before we lost the wonderful morning light. Pete still had to call me back so we could cast off, but, it was well worth it as I was able to grab some great shots. 


Baskets on the Dock



Part of the regular fishing fleet

    













Today’s float plan is to travel as far as we can with the current as it is and drop anchor by “4ish” before we lose the light. The currents today were not as favorable as they have been previously.



Sevilla aproaching the green marker 177
at Mile 516 in the ICW





   In fact, the same green channel marker that had been suspicious last trip for Brunelle for the Asheppo Coosaw Cutoff, was one again high and dry due to low tide.  We had a substantial (almost 1.5 hour) delay waiting for the Ladies Island Bridge. It was down for mechanical problems. Twelve boats gathered waiting for passage.  Once again we needed to provide boat name and homeport. We continued on past Paris Island Marine Base and on towards Hilton Head.  Due to the later start, currents and the delay we only did 18 miles.

     As we travel, I tend to hear the names of the same boats over and over.  I guess we sailboats travel in packs just staggered along in clumps. In most cases it is comforting.  Unfortunately, just before we dropped anchor, we heard the Coast Guard Helicopter removing the captain from SV Zephyr as the boat was in eminent danger, heading towards the jetty. We believe this is the same boat we have heard in trouble twice before. 



There be a change in the weather a-comin!

     We dropped anchor in Skull Creek just off the ICW.  We had a power cruiser follow us into the creek before he realized we were going to stay the night.  The interesting challenge with anchoring here is that setting the anchor was not a problem if it were the Chesapeake.  We had a good 23 feet under the keel and plenty of scope.  The problem is that there is a 7 foot tidal drop.  When we checked at 9 PM, the reeds were now up on cliffs instead of sticking out of the water as they were when we dropped anchor.  I am pleased to report that everyone did fine.

20.7/789.2 Total Statute miles            ~  ~ (\_~ ~ ~     Kathy and Pete