May 2007 Cruise News

This is very short cruise news since we got a real late start in May. We had hoped to leave Sitka for points south in mid May but due to some engine starter problems, an ailing autopilot and after taking on 530 gallons of diesel ($2.72/gallon), we left on May 28th.  And....as things can happen, gale force winds were predicted for the next 3 days.  We had planned to go into Silver Bay just south of Sitka and wait out the winds, but the weather and water was so nice, we changed our minds and headed outside Baranof Island.  We knew we would be exposed to the Gulf of Alaska for only a short time so we took the gamble and proceeded south to a protected anchorage.  We only had maximum winds of 18 knots and low southwesterly swells during our passage.  Just in case you're interested, the 530 gallons of diesel was basically our heating bill for the winter in Alaska for five months.

While in Sitka, we were visited a few times by the Empress of the North mini-cruise ship.  This is the way Majestic America Lines would like you to remember the Empress of the North.

The 360 foot Empress of the North, launched in 2003 has run aground or hit a rock every year since its launching.  This year was no different.  It hit a well lit rock just a few miles from Juneau at approximately 2 a.m., May 14th with over 200 guests on board.  She is a double hulled vessel but only one hull was punctured which probably prevented a sinking.  All guests were removed from the ship, returned to Juneau and flown home.  A rude ending to a dream cruise.

On May 30th, we unfortunately had to return to Sitka.  This time it was electrical problems.  After Sitka Electronics Lab diagnosed the symptoms, the inverter was pronounced DEAD.  So, here we sit waiting for a new inverter.  Oh well, that's part of what boating is about.  It could certainly be worse.  Our neighbors just had BOTH their 671 diesel engines pronounced dead.   Being commercial fishers, they will be missing the entire fishing season.  Our delay in departing for the summer will give us time to do our varnish work and other maintenance chores while we wait for parts.  We hope to depart again in about 10 days.

Chris and Chuck