Fort Pierce to Riviera Beach, FL

Today:          56 miles       8.3 hours          ICW St M “1018.0”

Total:      1164 miles    167.5 hours

Dredge beginning his workday

Fisherman hoping for an early catch

Heading out Ft. Pierce Inlet

Fire in Jupiter that required
 evacuations, but one one hurt

     Though the ICW between Fort Pierce and Riviera Beach is beautiful, it is also stressful.  There are 9 bridges that must be timed perfectly or 2+ hours can be added on to the trip. If the current is against us, we can’t cover the distance in the allotted time for the scheduled bridge openings.  Add to that, many of the larger boats that travel this area are owner operators, who lack understanding of navigation rules, courtesy and common sense!  Instead, we chose the easier trip, an ocean jump, which adds distance but cuts down on travel time as there are no bridges and lots of water for all. The only challenges for ocean jumps are in the inlets.  As we are a sailboat, it is much better to travel at slack tide or with the tide for exiting and entering.  Otherwise it is a slow, choppy and messy ride. Thankfully, the current gods were with us today!

The Palm Beach coastline

      It was a stress-free ride and when we arrive at the fuel dock here at Riviera, we received a friendly welcome from our deckhand.  He remembered us from previous visits and informed us that SV SHOOTING STAR was already here.  We had met Ruth and Phil during our stay here for the past two years.

     The docks are the same as well as the showers, laundry and Harbormaster’s office, but they have added new signage, painted murals the giant water tank, added colorful slats to the chain link fence and are working on a new Harbormasters office with showers and laundry out by the fuel dock. They are also redoing the wall, steps and ramps from the marina to the parking lot.  The Sunday Market has also grown and is well attended.

     

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~    K & P