2021: Wolf Island Anchorage Georgia

 26 April 2021

Depart: Jacksonville, Florida -- Free Dock 8:25

Arrive: Wolf Island Anchorage -- Georgia 6:25

Distance: 77.4 nm

Conditions: Northeast wind, cold on the ocean

Last night, after studying the charts and expected conditions, Clark proposed that we travel on the ocean today to bypass a large portion of Georgia. Knowing that would mean a long day on the water, we planned to get an early start. 

Clark and I were both up shortly after 7:00. Surrounded on all sides by other boats, we had to wait to leave. Shortly after 8:00, the boat behind us, "Aquaholics", left and a while later the boat rafted to us, "Gypsies Palace", left. While waiting for the docks to clear, Clark walked down the dock, spoke to some folks, and took some pictures.

"Jazzy" on "Gypsies Palace"

Boat on Free Dock

"Journey" departing the Jacksonville Free Dock

Clark must have miscalculated somewhere in his trip planning because instead of a current taking us out the inlet, we had a strong one fighting us all the way out. At 6.9 knots instead of 9.0, we would need to adjust that 10-hour travel time number upwards! As we slogged our way out to the ocean, we passed some noteworthy scenes.

Jacksonville Naval Station

Glittery inlet - heading east into the sun

"Kaleen McAllister" tow heading in from the ocean

"C-Tractor 13" 
Edison Chouest Offshore Tug

As we transited the inlet, we heard a call on the radio from a vessel identifying themselves as a submarine entering the St. Jones Inlet. When we reached the end of the jetty, we turned north more than an hour after we left the free dock. Just before we turned, we passed a pilot boat speeding out into the ocean.

Pilot boat going out the inlet to lead in a naval vessel

An hour later, we heard a call on the VHF radio that a security zone had been declared at the St. Johns Inlet. Although it would have been exciting to see a submarine coming in to port, I was happy not to be delayed by getting caught by the temporary security zone.

Considering how long it took us to get out into the ocean and heading north, Clark decided we needed a Plan B for today's travel. Looking at the charts, he speculated on going in either Doboy Inlet or Sapelo Inlet. Neither are recommended without local knowledge. Clark called Sea Tow for advice and talked to Captain Patrick out of Brunswick, Georgia. Having the information he needed, Clark now had to decide which path to take. Doing the math, we decided on using Doboy and staying at Wolf Island anchorage for the night. 

Knowing that it would be cold on the ocean with a northeast wind, I bundled up for our trip today. That was fine until around 2:00 we started getting spray over the bow. We closed the front panel of the full enclosure, and as we took repeated hits of salt water, it became harder and harder to see through the panel. Time for Plan C!

Once again Clark checked the charts and decided that the St. Simons Inlet coming up shortly sounded like a good plan. He suggested we go in and then take the ICW north to an anchorage. That seemed like a good idea; however, we had to deal with nasty waves as we fought our way back inland. Even with the stabilizers, we were being tossed about. Unfortunately, we had a long ride in!

To make matters worse, I had a bit of a dilemma. I had an iced tea made and ready to drink calling to me; however, I desperately needed to visit the head. Sadly, I did not feel adventurous enough to attempt the steps to get down there. I fought my desire to drink my tea and my need to make room for tea for half an hour until I could stand it no longer and  made my way down below.  Fortunately I had waited long enough that the waves hit the shoals along the edge of the inlet and were lessened by the time they hit our boat. 

Clark mentioned that since we were coming in St. Simons Inlet, we could check on the progress of the removal of the sunken vessel, Golden Ray, that has been there since September 2019 and much longer than planned. The area was a bee hive of activity. 

It has been a while since we boated in the marshlands. Evidence we were now in Georgia included the sea gulls chasing us looking for fish scraps and the barren lands surrounding us. 

Georgia ICW

The Sea Gulls are after us!

As the afternoon progressed, we were both feeling the cold especially when we turned into the wind. Clark considered bailing out at an anchorage earlier than Wolf Island, but ultimately, we decided to continue on as planned. 

When we reached the anchorage, we had to search hard to find a spot that would allow us to let out enough anchor line to support the 8-foot tide change. Traps were scattered around the area. We also had to watch for areas that would become too shallow at low tide for our vessel. Ten hours after we left the dock in Jacksonville, we had our anchor down and were settled in for the night!

Tonight is the night of the pink moon. We had a good view and an equally great sunset.

April "Pink" Moon