Called out by the Coast Guard in Central Florida
Space - the Final Frontier
Monday May 3 We went through our second overnight from Key West. With good night’s sleep behind us and much better dispositions, we pushed onward to the next destination: Cape Canaveral. We’ll stay at a marina and continue to search for help to troubleshoot the Autopilot. Based on the space industry there - maybe a chance for expert electronics help?? Entered Cape Canaveral channel 2:09pm. The mileage at Cape Marina is 1993 nautical miles from the time we started the MFD. There were 1450 nautical miles in Venice. So we need to measure from Madeira beach to South Venice to figure out our total mileage. Checked into Cape Marina and left a message with Zak of Dewey's electronics for autopilot help. Not much to see at this stop, but they do have all the essentials here at Cape Marina: little store, laundry room, close by restaurants and a fuel dock. A very difficult docking process due to wind. Went for dinner at Fish Lips, where there was a little fun and watched a movie in the cabin.
Entry to Cape Canaveral Channel
Weird security
Fun at the restaurant “Fish Lips”
Trying to beat the space shot
May 4 Tuesday. Always exciting times.... checked out after 1030 after fueling and learning that the impending SpaceX launch will have us trapped after 12 noon until almost 3 pm. Washed clothes in the morning and not much else. No shore power because the cord couldn't reach to the outlet. And we weren't moving the boat again. Ran generator about an hour, no call from Zak, or any Port Canaveral electronic troubleshooters. The pattern of one or two overnights, and then rest one night seems to be okay. We have food, water and fuel for at least two days so we're moving on. most likely to Brunswick, Georgia, where we will seek to find some help there In the next 27 hours. Two calls into Raymarine dealers there. Sean has started to look for marinas in Annapolis, unfortunately, the timing is such that we may come in during the Navy graduation weekend, so prices will be high and selection limited.
Comfortably out of the Zone?
The Restricted Zone (marked by yellow buoys) was passed just before 11:30am as we exited Port Canaveral Channel. So it seemed that we were good to go and well ahead of the launch. We turned north to stay close to the coast and watch the 3pm space shot. The day was clear with a good wind and the swells were about 3-4 feet. We heard some radio chatter about stopping ships from entering the launch zone further south. They are stuck until after 3pm. Well, we thought we were out of the Space Shot restricted area, but apparently, we weren't.
Bubista II - please go to channel 22A
Generally, we listen to channel 16, but two flyovers by a US Coast Guard helicopter, and then a specific call by US Coast Guard at 2:20p for position, speed and intent informed us that we were inside the launch restricted area. We immediately adjusted our position to move more east, away from the launch area. We switched to channel 22A and got direction to stay away from any heading greater than 340 degrees, which meant we need to go east as much as possible, and to proceed out of the area ASAP. We then put both engines into full throttle. A few minutes after receiving the information, they asked for the position again and again expressed the desire for us to exit the area as soon as possible. We thought the yellow buoys marked the zone, however, we may have drifted back into the area which grew wider as we moved north.
Only minutes to spare - will Bubista II make it??
At one minute 26 seconds before launch, we were informed that we were out of the restricted area, and into safe waters. We benefitted with a close up view of the launch - loud, bright and fast. David got video but we were moving, still trying to get re-situated to our original route. But now, we have moved far from shore due to course correction by the Coast Guard. The swells are higher and the wind is stronger out here.
And then the spectacular launch!
Here’s what we waited for - a spectacular launch into the beautiful blue sky, with a front row seat on our own Bubista II. Well. Worth. It.
Spectacular Launch!
As an aside…keep your boat’s documentation in order!
Once the adrenaline settled from the USCG situation, we gave it some thought. We must have drifted back into the launch Restricted Area while we were positioning ourselves for the shot. To be clear, we were nervous about the scrutiny of the flyover (so very close and loud and able to see directly into the body of the copter) but were treated respectfully by the communications lead who gave us clear instructions on how to get out as soon as safely possible. Best possible practice - register your boat with the USCG! This helped them to identify us as not a credible threat to the launch, and brought the tension down immensely once they had more information about us.
