April 18, 2016 - Lafitte, LA
We found a short weather window knowing that the trip would start out windy it would eventually die down some before we reached Lafitte for the night. We decided that if we did not go now we would be caught in Houma for another week. We had already been there so long that we dubbed ourselves "The Houma Homesteaders" and said we should just go ahead and register to vote.
We left Houma not really knowing where we would stay the night. Boomtown had been our go to place, but they no longer allow anyone to tie off there. Having ruled out Hero Canal, Jean Lafitte Fuel Dock in the Barataria Waterway, and the Cemetry anchorange we decided to just look at the Lake Salvador anchorage, the barge past the bridge and even the bulkhead at the boat dock. Even though under normal water levels we would never be able to go there, it just might be possible.
We stayed at the boat dock bulkhead. Got there at high tide as we were able to tie up without a problem. And there was very little barge traffic over night so we did just fine overnight
Our next concern was having enough water when we got up so that we could leave.
But the Cruising Gods shined this morning when we were still floating. We were underway and headed to the Algiers lock by 6:30.
We had to wait until 8:30 for the Belle Chasse Bridge to open. Once it was opened we had clear sailing. We were instructed to stay to port in a holding area just before the lock, and we were next! Yay...
Uh Oh. Lock gate won't open to let the barge out that we were waiting for to clear out so we could go in.
In the meantime, we hear that Industrial Lock was closed because of its gate...... So, we called them and they said we could tie up on the freedock wall behind the dolphin...... Hmmm.
Well, glad we got through Belle Chasse... looks like that bridge has an issue. So we are now stuck between the bridge and the lock.... great. ;-(
Good news, while sitting here waiting for Algiers Lock to re-open we heard that Industrial Lock was open again.
We made it through Algiers lock with ease. All lined up like ducks in a row and had us tie on to the bollards on the concrete wall. We were raised 8'. When we entered the Mississippi we were sucked out into the river. The current and wave action was just terrible. We had about a 4 kt current so made about 4-5kts. There was lots of ship traffic and we stayed to port until we got to 92. We crossed as quickly as we could with a ship coming downstream at 14kts. We made it across safely, but I can tell you I was elated when we finally made it to the calm waters of the Industrial Canal. We held to port in a holding area just before the lock until everyone was there and a west bound barge cleared the lock. We were then able to move right in and tie up to port in the lock. They were dropping lines, but we just used ours. We were against the wall and Last Trade rafted to us. Again we moved 8'.
We made it through Algiers lock with ease. All lined up like ducks in a row and had us tie on to the bollards on the concrete wall. We were raised 8'. When we entered the Mississippi we were sucked out into the river. The current and wave action was just terrible. We had about a 4 kt current so made about 4-5kts. There was lots of ship traffic and we stayed to port until we got to 92. We crossed as quickly as we could with a ship coming downstream at 14kts. We made it across safely, but I can tell you I was elated when we finally made it to the calm waters of the Industrial Canal. We held to port in a holding area just before the lock until everyone was there and a west bound barge cleared the lock. We were then able to move right in and tie up to port in the lock. They were dropping lines, but we just used ours. We were against the wall and Last Trade rafted to us. Again we moved 8'.
We popped out the other side and headed for Seabrook Marina. A lot of current getting into the slips, but there were deck hands ready to help and with some time and lots of ropes we were in the slip by 1:00.
We got settled and rested the afternoon. Exhausted and spent from the stressful couple of days we called it an early night and chilled.
When got up on Wednesday, we rode our bikes over to Pontchartrain and caught the shuttle downtown.
We got settled and rested the afternoon. Exhausted and spent from the stressful couple of days we called it an early night and chilled.
When got up on Wednesday, we rode our bikes over to Pontchartrain and caught the shuttle downtown.
No comments:
Post a Comment
We love comments :-)