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02-09-2019, 12:11 PM
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#1
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Guru
City: La Conner Wa.
Vessel Name: Sea Fever
Vessel Model: Defever 49 RPH
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 877
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Is Wrangell Narrows on your initiatory this summer?
Here is a short story about big boats ( like the Alaska State Ferries) navigating the narrows. Remember to keep your radar on so you can see what is coming up behind you, and be prepared to pull over to let them by.
This is from Alaska Life. com
http://www.thealaskalife.com/blog/na...24vdzZ0VKjVwkw
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02-09-2019, 12:53 PM
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#2
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Guru
City: Tacoma, WA & Ashland, OR
Vessel Name: boatless, ex: Seeadler
Vessel Model: RAWSON 41
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,217
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Thanks for posting that. I've transitted the Narrows three times now and have not found it to be particularly intimidating...well, there was my initial trip to Alaska on the Columbia when we met the Matanuska going the other way.
The passage where I have felt really squoze a couple times is Peril Strait near Sitka.
While I understand why the Marine Highway crews cannot be deterred by adverse currents or weather, I can think of no reason why one of us TF folks would attempt this passage in fog, or even darkness; another night in Petersburg isn't that expensive. (And yes, I do have all the aids, skills and experience for all-weather navigation)
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02-09-2019, 01:32 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
City: Anacortes
Vessel Name: Salish Nomad
Vessel Model: American Tug 34
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 317
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I worked on a small tug towing log rafts through there in the mid sixties. Fun times!
__________________
Dave Thompson
American Tug 34-109
Home Port Anacortes Skyline & Sitka AK
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02-09-2019, 01:37 PM
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#4
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Guru
City: Pahrump, NV
Vessel Name: Pairadice
Vessel Model: Sold Selene 47
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,967
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Aw yes, the Christmas tree passage, very familiar with the stretch of waterway. Pay attention and its a great passage, gets shallow in a hurry if you dont stay on course.
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02-09-2019, 03:31 PM
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#5
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Guru
City: Inside Passage Summer/Columbia River Winter
Vessel Name: Alaskan Sea-Duction
Vessel Model: 1988 M/Y Camargue YachtFisher
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 8,046
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We have pulled over for a ferry to pass. At low tide, I had to use my horn a lot to clear tourist/fisherman out of the very skinny channel. Crusty loved the challenge.
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02-09-2019, 04:46 PM
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#6
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Guru
City: Concrete Washington State
Vessel Name: Willy
Vessel Model: Willard Nomad 30'
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 18,738
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Been through many times and never had a problem. However in the winter there may not be suffcient time during daylight hours to transit the narrows. Worked on the ferries in the 70’s and the maze of nav lights looks like a Christmas display. I wouldn’t want to thread that needle. However one’s chart plotter would deliver as long as it kept working.
We encountered a dog once that seemed intent on comming aboard. And a deer (also swiming) that was doing a “see and avoid” and running out of steam. Got out but I think it was on the shore he came from.
As to the ferries fishboats get right alongside and the ferry boat just ignores boats all around.
Never done it w radar but if you’re dialed into your system that shouldn’t be a problem either.
Slow boats like our Willard 30 do need to assure there is plenty of daylight time to get through with the predicted tidal current.
__________________
Eric
North Western Washington State USA
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02-09-2019, 06:11 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
City: Seattle
Vessel Name: Mary A
Vessel Model: Chris-Craft Speedster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 110
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Tug 120’ + Tow 50’ + Barge 300’ = Fun in Wrangell Narrows
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02-09-2019, 09:15 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
City: Anacortes
Vessel Name: Salish Nomad
Vessel Model: American Tug 34
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 317
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Last summer on Helen Marie we did Wrangell Narrows, Rocky Pass, and Dry Pass/El Capitan. A real nostalgia trip for me.
__________________
Dave Thompson
American Tug 34-109
Home Port Anacortes Skyline & Sitka AK
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02-09-2019, 09:18 PM
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#9
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Guru
City: LaConner
Vessel Model: 34' CHB
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,257
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Padeen
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Looks like Western Towboat to me...
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02-09-2019, 09:23 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
City: Anacortes
Vessel Name: Salish Nomad
Vessel Model: American Tug 34
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 317
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 78puget-trawler
Looks like Western Towboat to me...
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Yup, me too. I pulled a log raft over one of the buoys, luckily the light was still working when it popped up on the other side. Our Skipper opted not to report it. Bud Coolidge on the Samson.
__________________
Dave Thompson
American Tug 34-109
Home Port Anacortes Skyline & Sitka AK
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02-09-2019, 09:31 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: LaConner
Vessel Model: 34' CHB
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,257
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Hi Dave, when I just started going mate there at WTB, the skipper, a new guy also. One morning as I am getting ready to go off watch he says to me stick around while we go thru Wrangell Narrows. OK, says I. Broad daylight, I am ready for the sack, been up all night. He wants to go thru on radar the whole way, and me to stand by just in case. Not sure in case of what, maybe like, hey look there is a ferry ten feet of the port bow? LOL. So anyway, off we went. I think he only looked up once, blinked in the sunlight a couple times and back into the hood. Interesting morning...
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02-09-2019, 09:39 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
City: Anacortes
Vessel Name: Salish Nomad
Vessel Model: American Tug 34
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 317
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Preparing himself for his next fog trip...lol...Fun times. I sure miss the old low h.p. boats.
__________________
Dave Thompson
American Tug 34-109
Home Port Anacortes Skyline & Sitka AK
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02-09-2019, 09:49 PM
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#13
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Guru
City: LaConner
Vessel Model: 34' CHB
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,257
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I once made a gravel pit trip on one of the oldest tugs around, the BEE. Built before the turn of the century, the 20th that is. 65' long and had one of those early Cats in it, 240HP or something I think. It was with my dad, and another tugboater name Cliff Thompson, no relation I suppose. He was a good friend of dads and of the Shrewsburys. Seattle to Steilacoom and back. This was mid to late 60's I think.
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02-09-2019, 09:55 PM
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#14
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Guru
City: Gooding ID/Wrangell AK
Vessel Name: Silver Bay
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 42-002
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,040
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AIS is almost as useful as radar in Wrangell Narrows as well as the straits going into Sitka. You can see the bigger boats before they are visible on radar and plan accordingly. Same with Rocky Pass and Dry Pass.
Tom
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02-09-2019, 10:02 PM
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#15
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Guru
City: Tri Cities, WA
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,406
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alaskan Sea-Duction
We have pulled over for a ferry to pass. At low tide, I had to use my horn a lot to clear tourist/fisherman out of the very skinny channel. Crusty loved the challenge.
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That sounds a lot like coming out of Bonneville Lock when you're headed downstream during fishing season, or around Hood River when the winds are blowing and there are a bazillion wind surfers playing chicken with you.
__________________
Mike and Tina
1981 Boston Whaler 13'
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02-09-2019, 10:15 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
City: Seattle
Vessel Name: Mary A
Vessel Model: Chris-Craft Speedster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 110
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Quote:
Looks like Western Towboat to me...
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Yep, WTB Pacific Titan
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02-09-2019, 10:21 PM
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#17
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Guru
City: LaConner
Vessel Model: 34' CHB
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,257
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Yeah, thought so. Green AML barge, yellow bulwarks and red decks. Worked there for about 10 years.
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02-10-2019, 04:00 AM
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#18
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Guru
City: Edmonds, WA
Vessel Name: WESTERLY
Vessel Model: 1974 Pacific Trawler 37
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 78puget-trawler
I once made a gravel pit trip on one of the oldest tugs around, the BEE. Built before the turn of the century, the 20th that is. 65' long and had one of those early Cats in it, 240HP or something I think. It was with my dad, and another tugboater name Cliff Thompson, no relation I suppose. He was a good friend of dads and of the Shrewsburys. Seattle to Steilacoom and back. This was mid to late 60's I think.
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Here's a 2012 pic of the BEE anchored off Wrangell. More recently, saw her in Heritage Harbor under cover and under major reconstruction - don't know if she will survive the refit.
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02-10-2019, 04:08 AM
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#19
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Guru
City: Edmonds, WA
Vessel Name: WESTERLY
Vessel Model: 1974 Pacific Trawler 37
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 78puget-trawler
Hi Dave, when I just started going mate there at WTB, the skipper, a new guy also. One morning as I am getting ready to go off watch he says to me stick around while we go thru Wrangell Narrows. OK, says I. Broad daylight, I am ready for the sack, been up all night. He wants to go thru on radar the whole way, and me to stand by just in case. Not sure in case of what, maybe like, hey look there is a ferry ten feet of the port bow? LOL. So anyway, off we went. I think he only looked up once, blinked in the sunlight a couple times and back into the hood. Interesting morning...
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Did the same thing in the late seventies when I flew out of Seattle to relieve the Captain on the Dean Foss (towing a loaded gas/diesel barge) who had to get off in KTN with pneumonia. Fortunately, the first two times through were education, the next several trips were foggy, especially at Blind Slough.
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02-10-2019, 11:32 AM
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#20
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Guru
City: Holladay, UT
Vessel Name: Dream Catcher
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 37-065
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 841
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Padeen
Yep, WTB Pacific Titan
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__________________
Richard Cook
Dream Catcher (Nordic Tug 37-065) Poulsbo WA
Previously: New Moon (Bounty 257), Cindy Sea (C-Dory 22 Cruiser)
"Cruising in a Big Way"
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