Captain's Log Archive

St. Michael's, MD May 12, 2009

Winds south to southwest 15 to 20 knots on into the foreseeable future. Perfect I thought. A smooth easy passage around fearsome Cape Hatteras. Well, not so much. The forecast was out by a mile and we ended up steaming for quite a bit of our passage north . Don't think I'm ungrateful it was an easy passage calm and smooth. With light airs and sunny days. Over the years I have been taught many lessons going around that cape the ocean doesn't forive any lack of vigilance. So I warned the students time and again about the dangers and hatteras just laughed at me and let me go by this time. Sometimes my job is very strange and seems as if the ocean just wants to make a mockery of everything I've learned by changing the game on me. Or maybe I just don't know the rules. Then ... entering the Chesapeake Bay everything looks great or does it? That evening just a few miles from going in one giant all powerfull awe inspiring thunderstorm brews up over Norfolk and moves off shore with what seemed terrible malice made right for us the weather folks at NOAA were just broadcasting one continuous warning " seek safe harbour , hail, deadly lightning wind in excess of 60 knots." We took in all sail made all fast and hove to all night under bare poles. The storm made its way past without showing us its true fury but was still "Awesome" truly. So the lesson for Capt Flansburg? Never ever relax! ever. The lives of 30 people are in your hands and you need every instant of learning earned in your time at sea. the ocean is never going to relax.
Fair winds Capt. Flansburg