Day 6 – Staying in Port on a Windy Day

Kyle posing on the bow of OUTTOSEE III

It's Saturday, June 19th and another sunny warm day on the Trent Waterway. This morning we took it easy, cleaned up some of the boat, had showers using the marina facilities. Our plan was to meander along the waterway to Cambellford and spend the next two days at the town dock as they have some interesting places to visit and a very nice waterfront to tie up to. It was to be a three-hour cruise through 4 locks and a day to relax. At noon we untied and left the dock with the intention of turning the boat around and moving into the waterway to the locks here in Hastings.

We were on the outside dock tied on our Port Side and intended to head out into the channel (see orange line above)

We knew it was windy and our preparations included how we were going to tie up as we went into each lock using only our one engine. As we left the dock, the winds really picked up and there was no possible way to get the boat to move to the starboard side (to the right) and the winds proceeded to push us between the finger docks in a quick manner towards shore at the inside of the finger docks. Our crew immediately knew we were in for a ride and everyone grabbed poles and lines to ensure that if we got close to any other boats we were prepared to do whatever we could to prevent hitting anything.

The Captain’s attempts to get the boat to head out of the channel, between the finger docks had no success. The thrusters were no help and the single engine could not overcome the strong winds. There was one empty slip at the very inside of the finger dock and the Captain did his utmost to get the stern headed in that direction. At this point, 6 strong men (of all ages) started to run to the empty slip while Cynthia and Jan tossed lines to the men on the docks. Cynthia managed to get a bow line from her starboard side to a gentleman on his bow next to the empty slip. He tied our bow to his boat as the other men struggled to get the stern into the slip. The winds were vicious.

This is where we were pushed and battled the winds to keep it off the wall and other boats

At one point the boat was on a 45-degree angle with the bow only a few feet away from a concrete wall on the shore and only 1 ft clearance below. Putting the boat in reverse and using the thrusters made a difference. It gave the guys on the dock enough leverage to get a spring line and stern line tied. From that point on we just struggled with the winds to tie it down into place. It was actually frightening and not fun at all but no one lost their cool. Not even Captain Paul. This is me...Jan now...Captain Paul does not give himself enough credit for his quick thinking and amazing skill set in getting the boat and crew to safety. We've been in lots of "interesting" situations over the years but this is one that he deserves much credit for, getting us safely secured to the dock without a bump or bruise on ourselves or any other boat. We were very close to hitting the bows of 3 boats with our stern as the current made it near impossible to dock. Our crew deserves huge congrats and a big thank you for remembering their lessons and putting it all into play. If it had not been for our group efforts and fast thinking, the outcome could have been more critical than a bent prop and an unreliable genni.

We were close to the shoreline but made it into the slip

Once into the slip and properly secured we decided that this boat was not going anywhere today with the strong winds. This is our home for another night. Our boat neighbour kindly lent us his car and we drove to Cambellford (20 miles away) to get a few provisions, as well as an electrical relay to fix the generator which we installed, and now the generator worked.

Just a few words on our provisions from Cambellford - most came from the Chocolate Factory and Cynthia said she did not want to take any home!

Cynthia has been a trooper and is now a weathered and experienced mariner! Kyle is becoming familiar with things on the boat, both fixing the generator and getting us shore power, as we had trouble getting hydro from the dock. After some fiddling and electrical work, we corrected that as well. He has also been a big asset as my co-pilot at the helm as we guide ourselves through the Trent.

Thanks to everyone that helped make our docking experience a success. The Hasting Marina is a great place to stop and mingle with the dock folk. Tomorrow we just have to figure how to get out of this slip safely and on to the next port. hopefully the winds will be in our favour. Tonight we stay put – we're not going anywhere.

While in Cambellford we visited Old Mill Park where someone lost a Toonie. Seems like Swabbie found it. Well done Kyle - every cent counts in life !

The Hallman Experience Day 6:

Trying to leave the dock on a windy day with one prop. Bad Captain.

1. Solution: None really, we've hobbled along on one engine before with no problem, this was just another learning opportunity, and a thrill for our new crew members.

2. Experience: As Kyle so eloquently stated: "I'm sorry this happened, but it showed me what a sense of community can do when we all work together."

Stay Tuned!