ASD 2019 Alaska Cruise

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Blog has been updated. Here is bit of it:

We rode the outgoing current all the way to Port Angeles. The water was calm and pleasant. We could see big ships making their way to port under the watchful eye of VTS. Then we saw a strange ship. As we got closer, we saw it was a submarine being escorted into the Sound. There was an inter ring of USCG ships protecting the sub, then the outer ring with smaller boats with BIG guns on the front and back. We were outside the outer ring. Far enough to be outside the ring, but not far enough to not gain attention. I told Kay about the sub. The next thing she was doing I couldn’t believe.

She was out on the bow taking pictures of a Top-Secret nuclear submarine.
I asked Kay what the hell are you doing. Kay, “Taking pictures of the submarine. WHAT? I went into panic mode as one of the outer ring, heavily armed, patrol boat noticed it too! The boat was heading our way with guns on us. I told Kay to get inside and put that d$$$$$ camera down!! And HURRY!! She came in and I maintained my course and speed. The armed boat came within 150 feet of us at full speed, then pointed the boat at us with the big gun and a young fella with his finger on the trigger! He went parallel to us turning up the water, did I say he had a BIG GUN!!

After the sub was well off in the distance at our stern the gun boat retreated. What the heck Kay? What did I do, she asked? I said on the bow taking pictures of a Top-Secret Nuclear Submarine that’s what you did! Wait what is that smell and squishy stuff in my pants??

Final Thoughts and Numbers later

 

[Ken E.]

Little did you know that Kay might be a potential terrorist sympathizer, at least in the eyes of the gunboats!

I had a similar experience. There's a Navy ordnance depot at Indian island, close to Port Townsend. The subs stop there, coming and going from the ocean to load-up or off-load munitions. Near the east side of the island, there's a good anchorage, Mystery Bay state park. The rub is that the entrance and route to get to the park goes right by any subs that are tied up. We were escorted both in and out by a gunboat, positioned between us and the sub. I was careful to go slow and avoid eye contact!

 

[BandB]

She was out on the bow taking pictures of a Top-Secret nuclear submarine.
I asked Kay what the hell are you doing.

Wifey B: Wasn't all that top secret. Kay saw it and got a photo. Just proves them incapable of keeping a secret.

I can hear it now:

Navy: Lady, no one is supposed to know about this.

Kay: They do.

Navy: Who does?

Kay: Everyone around. My husband, all the people on other boats, all the people on shore.

Navy: Your husband knows? Does he know you took the photos?

Kay: Yes. After I took them, he told me to go inside and hide.

Navy: (steps out and tells someone to question you to find out what you know. Returns). So you and your husband are a team?

Kay: Yes, I guess so.

Navy: Who is in charge of your covert effort?

Kay: Of what?

Navy: Are you in charge or is he?

Kay: He thinks he is, but we all know the truth now don't we? Does your wife let you think you're in charge?

Navy: Does anyone else know?

Kay: Everyone on Trawler Forum.

Navy: (Steps out and orders everyone on this trawler forum thing be brought in-returns) Ma'am, we'd like you to defect to our side. We'll provide you immunity and an incredible lifestyle. Just keep us apprised of all the activities of the group.

Kay: What group?

Navy: Trawler Forum

Kay: Ok, but for my husband too (had you worried didn't she?). Luxury yacht with crew and large fishing boat, three luxury homes with staff and $50,000 a month spending money.

Navy: I'll bring your husband in so you can make sure he'll agree too.

Kay: (sits quietly and when you arrive is laughing hysterically).

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Wifey B: Wasn't all that top secret. Kay saw it and got a photo. Just proves them incapable of keeping a secret.

I can hear it now:

Navy: Lady, no one is supposed to know about this.

Kay: They do.

Navy: Who does?

Kay: Everyone around. My husband, all the people on other boats, all the people on shore.

Navy: Your husband knows? Does he know you took the photos?

Kay: Yes. After I took them, he told me to go inside and hide.

Navy: (steps out and tells someone to question you to find out what you know. Returns). So you and your husband are a team?

Kay: Yes, I guess so.

Navy: Who is in charge of your covert effort?

Kay: Of what?

Navy: Are you in charge or is he?

Kay: He thinks he is, but we all know the truth now don't we? Does your wife let you think you're in charge?

Navy: Does anyone else know?

Kay: Everyone on Trawler Forum.

Navy: (Steps out and orders everyone on this trawler forum thing be brought in-returns) Ma'am, we'd like you to defect to our side. We'll provide you immunity and an incredible lifestyle. Just keep us apprised of all the activities of the group.

Kay: What group?

Navy: Trawler Forum

Kay: Ok, but for my husband too (had you worried didn't she?). Luxury yacht with crew and large fishing boat, three luxury homes with staff and $50,000 a month spending money.

Navy: I'll bring your husband in so you can make sure he'll agree too.

Kay: (sits quietly and when you arrive is laughing hysterically).

Awesome! I bet Crusty has been through this same situation...

 

[Ted]

Let her laugh, I am!!!!!!!

 

[GFC]

So, Tom, did you ever get your shorts cleaned up?

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

So, Tom, did you ever get your shorts cleaned up?

They went overboard!!

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Final Thoughts and Numbers

Final Thoughts and Numbers

This year seemed like we were actually returning home. Our goal this year we to go to Sitka. We had never been there and the navigation was pretty straight forward. We were surprised by the friendly town and the attitude of the commercial fishermen. They nicknamed the recreational cruisers as “Yachties.” We were told they were surprised by the number of Yachties and how early they were showing up in Sitka.

Our biggest disappointment was the salmon fishing. One of the reasons we went to Sitka was the Chinook fishing. We were told it is the King fishing capital of SE Alaska and the shark hole was the place to be. Kay and I fished hard for two weeks, as we had freezers to fill. Not a single salmon bite, not one landed. As we left the legendary rains came. Up until then it had been sunny and warm.

We explored old and new places. The south arm of Hoonah Sound was a big surprise. We spend 4 days there and didn’t see another boat. We also did not have any VHF or cell communications. You were in true wilderness. It kinda of made you nervous.

We also met up with old friends and made new friends. The nicest place we stayed was Taku Harbor just south of Juneau. This was the playground for the residents of Juneau. We did skip Juneau as we didn’t want to mess with the crowed docks and cruise ships.

As always Canada was awesome. We found new anchorages like Bottleneck and old favorites like Kutze Inlet. Spent a lot of time in Kutze. Still one of our favorite places. We also hung out in the Gulf islands side and explored some new spots with our great friends Chris and Brigette. Winter Cove was awesome. Ganges was crowded and a mess.

The “Gate” crossings (Dixon Entrance, Cape Caution and Open pacific) was like we have never seen. Smooth crossings both ways!!! In fact, we didn’t really have that much bad weather. As our buddy Ketchikan Al would say “Tea Cup smooth!”
Overall the trip was without any major breakdowns and ASD operated great. We did have a “smart start” on the main A/C unit go bad, but we had the forward unit that worked just fine. Our trip to Seattle to get it fixed was a mess, especially the Ballard Locks.

Lessons Learned:

• Never ever approach a nuclear submarine in the Strait of Juan De Fuca.

• Know were WG is located. It was amazing how many idiots couldn’t tell you were it was located and whether it was open or closed. We had no issues.

• Having Auto Pilot is AWESOME.

• Kay bought me a “range finder” for anchoring. One of our new friends Doug of the “Overdrive” suggested it to us. This simple tool made crowded anchorages easier.

• Never be afraid to explore new places. You never know what you might find.

•
Water maker is AWESOME.
•
There are thunderstorms in Alaska

• We got better skilled using the radar. Practice using radar as it could save your life.

Did I say Never ever approach a nuclear submarine in the Strait of Juan De Fuca.

We already have our winter “to do list” and planning next year.

Final Numbers:

Fuel Costs: $7864.44

Fuel used: 2412.6 Gal

Miles Traveled: 3363 miles

Total Engine Hours: 373.7

Average MPG (Generator included): 1.4mpg

Average Fuel Burn (Generator included): 6.45gph

 

[Ken E.]

Good numbers on fuel....about what I get and you typically go faster than my 8 kts.

It's a little early for this, but when are you leaving for next years' trip to Ak? We're planning on mid May. Having that in mind gets me through the winter.

When we were in Sitka in 2018, the king salmon fishing was also zilch. In fact, in the two weeks in July we were in Sitka, we caught no salmon, although we did well on halibut and other bottom fish. The commercial seiners also were getting very few fish in July. In late August, we did really well on coho on the west side of POW, and in BC as we moved down. Kings too in BC.

 

[w8n4sun]

Those are excellent stats, and have your heard...never approach a nuclear sub on the Strait of Juan de Fuca!


We saw ASD in Montague Harbor but didn't get a chance to say hi. Thanks for taking us along on your trip. What was your avg speeds during the trip?

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

It's a little early for this, but when are you leaving for next years' trip to Ak? We're planning on mid May. Having that in mind gets me through the winter.

We are not sure. Depending on family. If they are coming up, we will most likely go back to Alaska. If not we may explore northern BC next summer or do both. Winter meat to chew on.

We saw ASD in Montague Harbor but didn't get a chance to say hi. Thanks for taking us along on your trip. What was your avg speeds during the trip?

Wish we could have met up.

Our average speed for us was about 8.6kts (10mph) when cruising. However, when doing the trip from Neah Bay to Columbia River Bar our average speed is 14.5kts.

 

[Crusty Chief]

So hows the Spook Cruise at St. Helens this year? More or less boats?

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Starting to get full. Nice weather this weekend, hope a big crowd. Your favorite guy, Joan is here. Dress and all.....

 

[WayneDana2]

LOL, we've met Joan! Trump flags still flying all over her boat?



There are some crazy characters in boating, that's fer sure.

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

LOL, we've met Joan! Trump flags still flying all over her boat?



There are some crazy characters in boating, that's fer sure.

Yep

 

[GFC]

Those are excellent stats, and have your heard...never approach a nuclear sub on the Strait of Juan de Fuca!

I think the correct quote is the same as approaching a dock:

"Never approach a nuclear sub on the Strait of Juan de Fuca faster than you're willing to ram it."

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

I think the correct quote is the same as approaching a dock:

"Never approach a nuclear sub on the Strait of Juan de Fuca faster than you're willing to ram it."

You wouldn't make it. Your boat would become an artificial reef....

 

[GFC]

You wouldn't make it. Your boat would become an artificial reef....

Agree 100%. Same thing around here when they bring the nuclear reactor vessel up the Columbia from a decommissioned sub. Once they leave Bremerton or wherever they tear them apart, the tow and its escort boats never stop. They run 24/7 until they get up here.

They offload the reactor vessel onto a HUGE flatbed trailer then tow it at a very slow speed a few miles out into the Hanford area where they bury them in a huge pit, then cover them with the soil they removed when they dug the pit.

Interesting to watch and photograph.