Prince Rupert to Shearwater...Thursday June 11

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Our arrival in Prince Rupert was not without issues. We had the understanding that if weather or distances were prohibitive, you could overnight (anchor only) prior to clearing customs. Well, that is the case when entering the US (heading north to AK, for example). We called customs in Prince Rupert and told them the truth about anchoring in Brundidge Inlet (in Canadian waters) the night before. As Christy says, “never tell the truth” (just kidding). They sent 2 agents to our boat to inspect us, and while they were very nice, they were also thorough and suspicious. Now we know that no matter what, you cannot enter Canadian waters and stop until you clear.

We intended to stay one night at the PRR&YC (Prince Rupert Rowing & Yacht Club), so the next morning (Monday June 8^th) we filled with fuel and started out of the harbor. I noticed that our voltage on the start, house, and generator batteries was not where they should have been. This is bad. Chris went to idle while I went below to find that our alternator belt was off as a consequence of the #2 alternator coming loose with a broken bolt. This is really bad, since the belt is required for the water pump to cool the engine, as well as both alternators. Furthermore, that usually kills the alternator. We shut the engine down and called to find a tow back to our marina. I found a diesel mechanic to meet us at the dock (Barry and Angelo of Bytown Diesel), and they were waiting when we arrived. Last summer, the same alternator had broken loose exactly like this! Volvo had told me that the remedy had been made with new bolts, but obviously that was incorrect. I called Volvo, and they were very, very uncooperative. Barry & Angelo got two grade A bolts to secure the “bad” alternator, helped me remount it, and we were set to go, but with only one alternator. I asked Volvo about getting a replacement (we are still within the 2 year warranty period) and they would not commit to covering it. Perhaps they don’t understand what “2 years” means and they may need an attorney to explain it to them. They have agreed to ship a new one to Port McNeil, but wanted my credit card for payment! I will deal with the warranty issue later. Needless to say, Chris is a little nervous being underway with a failed component, but everything seemed to be working well otherwise. Our voltages remained good, and off we went.

Tuesday June 9^th we left heading toward the Grenville Channel. We tucked into Baker Cove and anchored in a most beautiful spot, surrounded by snow-capped mountains in the bright sunshine. Our timing gave us a flood “push” all the way. Tomorrow early should continue to be good currents. I sat out on deck reading while Chris did the work...

Wednesday June 10^th, we left at 5:00 AM to get the ebb tide out of Grenville, and we were seeing a 3 to 4 kt push for over 3 hours. Now that’s a trip! We passed about 20 fishing boats heading opposite against the currents. We are heading toward the site, Turtle Point, where a ferry crashed 2 years ago. You may remember the incident, since 120 people were dumped into the cold waters in the middle of night, and all were rescued by the First Nation Indians from the nearby town of Hartley Bay. The captain of the ferry had turned off the alarm that sounds when it’s time to sequence to the next waypoint, and ran directly into the point. In gratitude, the ferry company paid for a new float/dock system for the citizens that is quite elaborate. It looks like we will make Port McNeil in 4 days to get the new alternator, and then on to the Broughtons!

Just at the entrance to Hartley Bay, we entered the most dense fog that I’ve ever been in. I hope the pictures show the “bank” as we entered it, but visibility fell to absolutely zero. With the radar on, we could see that other boats were still underway in the fog, so we slowed down and monitored the oncoming traffic. As we veered right and left, we communicated with each one to alert them as to our intentions. Each vessel had radar also,

"Radar shot, with two "threats" on the screen. Visibility was Zero. We never saw the boats as they passed"

so we were watching each other and passing either port to port, or starboard to starboard. We were in the soup for about 2.5 hours, and finally exited it at Tribble Point.

This is a shot as we left the fog...

The remainder of the day was glorious sunshine, with great pictures of waterfalls coming into Fraser, and then Graham Reach. Our anchorage will be at Green Inlet, Horsefly Cove. We will have covered 75 miles today, with another 40 to Shearwater, and then 120 more to Port McNeil.