May 29 - 31, 2023 - Ketchikan

May 29 - 31, 2023 - Ketchikan

 

Our early start was planned based on the flood tide, swell, and wind waves being in concert.  As we exited, the waves were less than 2’, but confused.  And as we were crossing the waves, it resulted in a corkscrew motion for the boat making the ride somewhat uncomfortable resulting in Lois experiencing motion sickness.  After about three hours we were in the lee of Duke Island when the sea conditions started to settle into a much more comfortable ride and Lois started to recover.  En-route, I made use the CBP Roam app for clearance back to the US which went without a problem.  As we pulled into Tongass Narrows we stopped at Petro Marine for fuel.  They had several pumps out of order with only one slow diesel pump working.  We took on 979.75 gal at $4.91 (includes taxes).  We left the dock at noon and headed to Bar Harbor North where Craig assigned us to Dock 9, B-11.  After settling in we notice a string of people traveling past dragging empty coolers and returning with them full of fish.  A little investigation led us to F/V Sovereign Grace, that fishes for halibut, but also pulled in a ton of snapper (rock fish).  They are not allowed to keep the fish for sale and must either through them overboard or they can give them away – at no cost!  The locals were all trekking to the boat to collect what they could, so we joined in and took four ourselves.  As this was our first time with snapper, we watched as a couple were cleaning the haul they had.  They offered to clean our four, for which we gave them a six-pack of beer in exchange for their kindness.  Lois took one of the eight fillets and prepared a very nice dinner of fried fish seasoned with flour, salt, and Old Bay.  With the engine still warm, Geary took advantage and performed an oil and filter change with the engine indicating 5908 hours.

 

Over the next couple of days, we took care of reprovisioning groceries, getting fishing licenses, and other e-mail related tasks.  Our last day, as we were making our final haul of items to the boat, Stephanie McLeish and Mark Chanes from Blue Pearl stopped by and asked about our boat.  They are in the hunt for a new boat (Fleming or Selene) and wanted to know more.  We gave them a tour of Raven to which they were delighted. Later that night it was diner at Oceanview Mexican/Italian restaurant as we prepared to leave the next morning.

Early morning departure

Rockfish/snapper on F/V Sovereign Grace

We took two as they were given away as bycatch

and went back for two more

 

Engine Oil change: 5808

Engine	25 kW Gen	6 kW Gen	Heater
5807	2370.3	1493.8	2195.5
5645	2301.8	1457.8	1611.1
162 hrs	68.5 hrs	36 hrs	584.4 hrs	$4.91
696 gal	~  55 gal	~  10 gal	~  219 gal	Total 980 gal
4.30 gal/hr	~ 1.11 gal/hr	~ .35 gal/hr	~ .5 gal/hr
~ 71%	~ 6%	~ 1%	~ 22%	~100%