For those of you planning to come along on the Points North Cruise, below you will find some helpful information:
Day one, August 20th; Meet up in Port Townsend. Depart Port Townsend between 9:30 am and 10:00 am. Arrive Poets Cove between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm. Cruise speed 12 knots
Day two, August 21st; Depart Poets Cove no later than 6:00 am. We need to make slack water at Portier Pass. Cruise to Gibsons arriving at 1:00 pm. Cruise speed 8 knots
Day three, August 22nd; Depart Gibsons at 7:00 am. Arrive Hardy Island at 3:00 pm. Cruise speed 10 knots.
Day four, August 23rd; Depart Hardy Island at 10:00 am. Arrive Desolation Sound 3:00 pm. Cruise speed 8 knots.
Days five through eight, August 24th through August 27th; Hang out in Desolation Sound.
Day nine, August 28th; Depart Refuge Cove at 6:00 am cruising to Friday Harbor. Arrive Friday Harbor at 3:00 pm. Cruise speed 15 knots.
Day ten, August 29th; Depart Friday Harbor at 6:00 am. Arrive Port Orchard at 2:00 pm. Cruise speed 10 knots.
The following pieces of information will assist you in making your trip as pleasant, safe, and fun as possible.
1) Underway:
While underway be sure to set your VHF to scan and monitor Channels 11, 14, 16, 71, and 72. If you are not sure how to program your radio to do this, let me know and we will assist you.
a. Channel 11 is Canadian Traffic
b. Channel 14 is Puget Sound Traffic
c. Channel 16 we all know……
d. Channel 71 is Canadian Traffic North
e. Channel 72 will be our official ship to ship communication channel
2) Staying informed:
a. Each evening after all boats are secured, and prior to happy hour beginning, we will go over the following days plan as far as departure time and route.
b. Each morning 20 minutes prior to departure, we will cover routes and the day’s destination again.
c. The above meetings will take place on the dock at Karma or if we are anchored, on VHF Channel 72.
3) Safety:
a. In the event of a mechanical breakdown, all vessels will return to the point of origin or the closet port. No vessel will be left behind.
b. In the event that it is determined that the disabled vessel will require more than a day to affect repairs, the group may at that time elect to go on without the disabled vessel.
c. Each vessel is responsible for the safety of their crew as well as the safety of their vessel. If you are not comfortable with a particular crossing or pass it is your call to decide whether or not you proceed.
d. While on the water, we will all look out for one another but ultimately, we are all responsible for ourselves. We will offer assistance to one another up to the point where we are putting ourselves at risk.
4) Anchoring/Rafting:
a. Anchoring will be the responsibility of each vessel. If you are not as experienced as others and would like assistance with anchoring, others will be glad to help. You will just need to hang back until the others get situated and then we will come to assist you. However, ultimately you are responsible to insure that your anchor is set properly and the proper amount of scope has been set.
b. In the event that we are in an anchorage where rafting is possible, it is your choice whether to raft, allow others to raft to you, or hang on your own hook.
c. When rafting, follow the directions of the vessel that you are rafting alongside. Set your VHF to 72 when approaching the raft to avoid missing part of a message.
d. When rafting always lead your lines back to your vessel. In the event that you need to break away in a hurry, you will want to have complete control of your vessel.
e. While rafted, do not run generators without asking your fellow rafters. Then limit their use to only the period of time needed to accomplish the task at hand. Generators should not be run between the hours of 2100 and 800 whether rafted or anchored on your own (unless of course you are anchored in a cove all by yourself).
5) Speed:
a. Speed traveled will be determined by the top speed of the slowest boat.
b. When crossing the Straits of Juan de Fuca and the Straits of Georgia, there will be a press on speed to expedite the crossings.
c. While traveling along the inside or north along the mainland coast, speed will range from 10 to 12 knots.
d. No vessel is required to stay with the group. If you should choose to travel at a faster or slower speed, that is your choice.
6) Arrival in Desolation:
a. Upon arrival in Desolation, it is your choice as to whether you stay with the group or go off on your own. Some vessels may choose to go off with just one or two others.
b. Fuel is available at Refuge Cove Marina in Desolation.
c. Maureen and I will be departing Desolation on the morning of August 28th. We will run straight through to Friday Harbor. This run will be at 15 knots for nine hours. We will clear customs and overnight in Friday Harbor on the 28th, and run from Friday Harbor to Port Orchard on Sunday the 29th with an early departure of 5:30 am.
