May 10, 2020 - Depart Stuart Florida - Coast Guard visit

May 10, 2020 – Nikolay spends the better part of the day inspecting the engine room and checking and addressing hose chafe points.  He has gone through and added split loom on many hoses to protect them from rubbing on hard points.  In one location, we take the lid of a plastic container and cut it into strips to protect a hose that has a hard ride condition on a metal bracket.

In addition, he discovers the regulator on the Balmar generator is failed!  Fortunately, we have a spare on-board and he is able to replace it.  He also connects the thermal sensor to the generator that was disconnected.  He is putting a lot of thought into heat management in the engine room and how to keep air flowing.  We even remove the belt guard from the front of the engine to get better airflow to the Balmar generator.

Depart Sunset Bay Marina 5:20 pm.

During departure we find two sand bars in the Saint Lucie river.  Manage to get off both of them, however, the second one took a lot of maneuvering to clear the stern of the keel off the bar.  I'm sure we took bottom paint off with this last sand bar.

And once out into the sea, we learn that the starboard stabilizer is making a loud clunking noise and that both stabilizers are not exhibiting smooth motion as they move through the strokes.  

In addition, Nikolay learns that the stuffing box is running hot and takes immediate action to adjust to get the proper cooling flow.

As we travel through the first night the seas are minor, but lumpy, resulting in a lot of noise from the stabilizer - which we eventually shut down.  As dawn is approaching, we are crossing the shipping lane that leads into Miami and did not realize one of the ships, a cruise ship, had gotten underway and was headed into port.  Five blast from her horn got our attention and we speed out of her way.

The sea conditions have now settled as daybreak occurs and we soon find a Coast Guard helicopter zooming past us.  As he passes he reverses course and begins to circle and hail us.  Nikolay responds to their hail and questions and explains our destination is Seattle.  He also clarifies that the blue barrels, likely the source of their curiosity (fuel for drug runners) are for taking on additional fuel and are currently empty.  He even offers to lift one up to demonstrate.  Satisfied the helicopter flies away, but not too much longer we saw a Coat Guard Cutter coming up behind us!

Things not found during survey:

• Stabilizer system in need of significant maintenance even though reported they had been serviced in September 2019 (more later)
• Failed Balmar regulator and missing thermal sensor connection