Loading at last

At 12pm we got the call to come to the ship, there were lots of boats already loaded. We came along side and a diver went under the boat to check where the straps should go. An engineer came on to check that everything was safely stowed on our boat. We then climbed off onto a small boat and left her. It would take a few hours to load SeaWolff as there were other boats to load first. They lift the boats onto the deck and put metal poles with flat pads under the hulls. These are welded onto the ship. Yellow straps are then used to tie the boat to the ships deck as well.

We decided to go and leave everything in the hands of the experts. We will see the ship in Singapore on about the 21st July. I will resume the entries then.

Fueling

We put some Diesel in our boat on Saturday, we used a fuel barge on the river. He anchors his barge with hydraulic poles that go down into the river bed. Boats pull up next to it and fill up. At 5 pm he is gone to return the next day.

The loading of our boat has been delayed again, we spend Sunday night at a marina and slept on Greg and Carols boat. Our boat is all packed up and water, gas etc all switched off, so staying aboard would mean unpacking everything again. Very frustrating waiting.....apparently this is to be expected when shipping boats.

Waiting

Great excitement as we await the arrival of the ship that will take SeaWolff to Singapore. She should dock on Friday and we will be loaded on Saturday. We are busy preparing the boat, its the same as winterising again. Yachtpath, the shipping agents, have warned us to ensure that nothing can fall around during the voyage.

The ship will go straight to Singapore around Cape Town.

Downtown, Fort Lauderdale

We are back in Fort Lauderdale on the New River, it was like coming home as everything is so familiar.

The Wolffs family came for lunch, Arno and his children Denise and Howard. They helped us finish the last of the Dorado! Had a good time catching up.

There is a boat moored behind us called 'AFTICA' I have seen some very creative names but this tops them all.... 'Another F... Thing I Cant Afford'

Cat Cay

Malcolm, A family friend now living in the USA flew into Nassau to sail back with us. Its great to have company again.

From Andros we crossed to Cat Cay, south of Bimini. The charts showed a depth that we could easily manage but there were areas that were silted up which created a few tense moments.

Cat Cay is beautiful, its a privately owned island with a very modern Marina and homes on it. The owners have planted hundred of trees and Palms which really change the look from the normal barren islands.

We spent the night anchored off the island and have now arrived back in Fort Lauderdale on The New River. Had a very rewarding last fishing day, catching 3 Dorado!

Morgans Bluff, big Dorado

We had a bumpy trip to Morgans Bluff on Andros Island but did manage to catch the biggest Dorado we have ever caught. It was 1,1m long (4 foot)! On arriving in the bay we were happy to see 2 boats we recognized from our last stay here.

Saunders agreed to fillet our fish and we all had dinner on it. (left to right Jesus, Saunders, Harvey and Rob) Jesus made us a Cerviche (Spelling) dish with the tuna we also caught. This raw fish 'cooks' in lemon water for a few hours and the juice is discarded. Then you add diced green pepper, onion, tomato and chilli. Super with crackers.