Public Discussion Forum

We got into Cape May, NJ a few hours ago from Ford’s Landing, where last evening we had a nice dinner on board and a calm night, that anchorage being located on the Chesapeake side of the C&D Canal. We left the quiet anchorage this morning around 8:00 a.m., and were unaware that we were soon to suffer the surprises the Delaware Bay has to offer. The DB is shallow generally, with lots of shoals, is not real pretty (except for the nuclear power plant), and guarantees wind versus tide probably daily. Today the forecast at dawn was seas 2-4’, wind 5-10 mph with a few gusts to 15 in the afternoon. Reality was, after the first few hours, seas 7-10’, interval 5 seconds max, wind I thought was 20 mph plus. We took 50 plus waves over the bow - boat handled wonderfully, my crew not so much. When I got to Miss Chris marina, owned by my friend Bob, with maybe two slips, he said multiple boats sank or returned to port with damage after the Coast Guard recorded and reported 10’ seas, extremely short intervals, to as little as two seconds, (both of which we experienced) and gusts to 44 mph (surprised me) with sustained 30 mph winds from the East.

Who would’ve thunk it! I want that Job! Gonna attend Chris Parker’s seminar at Trawlerfest.

I do recommend Bob’s Miss Chris marina - best deal in town. And good fuel prices. Call ahead and he or Eric will be there to tie you up. Close to restaurants, bars, shops, food, grocery, etc.

Jack

Jack Burgess, Shangri-La 5388

Shucks Corey. So sorry if I dredged up some trauma from the past (but I know your “internment” description was something you might have perceived at the time but is now a joke). I did not mean to jump start anything, certainly not a PTSD episode enabling further “Bayliner” tendencies or behavior. Actually, I believe the Coast Guard Academy is a wonderful place (as you do I know), just like the Naval Academy in Annapolis, West Point for the Army, the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, or USMC Camp Lejeune (where our badass boy Roger likely got so bad), displaying the tradition and impartiality all of our services are sworn to uphold. I have visited them all and find them awesome.

I encourage all who can to visit Cape May, hopefully in your Selene at the close by anchorage where they will wake you at first light for sure, see the Coast Guard Academy at least from the anchorage if not on base, and later in the day enjoy some pre-Tilden Victorian architecture in the lovely town of Cape May. Beautiful place until the winter arrives. Then it is the EC or points south for me.

Thank you for your service Corey!

Best - Jack

Jack Burgess, Shangri-La 5388

I have been corrected, perhaps by an expert (yes, that would be Corey). The actual Coast Guard Academy is in New London, CT, reliably reported to be a worse place to be in the winter than the Cape May, N.J. Center, perhaps explaining Corey’s memories. The Cape May Training Center is considered to be the home of the Coast Guard, the sole accession point for the entire enlisted workforce, with an eight week boot camp, and the fifth largest base in the Coast Guard. As stated earlier, their dawn activities are pretty awesome. Anchoring within 300’ of the training center, I felt like I was there, and we have watched their training activities on land and water, which were impressive. Might not be much else to see, but that is fun stuff. I recommend a viewing, maybe with black coffee.

The Training Center itself is open to invited family members and guests of the graduating class every Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Not so accessible. I expect we will have to enjoy their activities from the anchorage around dawn every day. Same thing happened to us at USMC Camp Lejeune - watch from a distance.

Jack

Jack Burgess, Shangri-La 5388

there is an easier way to tour Parris Island or Camp Lejeune ... it'll only cost about a 4 year committment.