We continued to check the shaft brake at regular intervals to make sure it wasn’t going to sieze up again. Confident in having stabilized the situation, and having secured a warranty refund from Amel, we left Seal Bay for Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.
But not without one more mishap. For those of you who read our blog last year, you may recall we snagged a lobster trap line on our propeller, requiring a plunge into frigid Gulf of Maine waters to free it. This occurred in the Deer Island Thorofare. Well, as we exited the same passage, we did it again! This time, the toggle buoy (the one that is below the surface at high tide), was dragged under by the current. So what appeared as a single buoy configuration was effectively a dreaded double. Only this year, we were prepared with a 3mm head-to-toe wetsuit, neoprene cap, gloves and booties and, best of all, an Air Buddy underwater breathing apparatus. With this gear, diving was relaxed, enabling normal breathing under water for up to an hour while keeping warm. Sadly, unlike last year, I was forced to cut the line and add to the 30,000 lobster traps lost each year. They do have biodegradable doors allowing any captive lobsters to escape.
As they say, “I don’t make the same mistake twice. I make it five or six times just be be sure!”
After stopping in Southwest Harbor for diesel fuel and water, we pushed into Bar Harbor to a protected anchorage nestled behind Bar Island. We went ashore for a visit of the town and dinner at McKay’s Restaurant.
Yesterday, we rented eBikes and headed into the park. This national park is crisscrossed by carriage trails that are open to bikes, but not to motor vehicles. We hiked up Pemetic Mountain, the second highest at over 1,200 feet (370 meters), giving spectacular views of the park and nearby seacoast.
After returning to Fregata, Dan dinghied over to visit another sailor we met, and his dog beau, a most friendly golden retriever. Beau jumped into our dinghy to visit. Very sweet.
We grilled aboard for dinner and enjoyed another spectacular sunset.
2 Responses
Beautiful photos!
Great pictures! Everything fine here. Enjoy!