Friday May 30th, 2025
The number one rule of boating: NEVER have to be somewhere because Mother Nature doesn’t care. There are so many boating stories I have heard through the years about boaters and their “float plans” and how they need to be at a certain harbor, on a certain day, at a certain time to pick up friends, or family, or simply to make a dinner reservation at a very exclusive island restaurant that everyone is talking about. That rule was brought full circle for us today. As predicted it was a stormy night. We were well secured on the inside of the dock but we still were banging against our fenders when the wind gusts howled. We were thankful we were in a marina and not out at sea or in an inlet where we would be constantly worried if our anchor would hold or not.
Last night about 6:00 p.m. a large Bayliner came in after hours, winds blowing, and tied up at the dock. We were glad they got in when they did. Then this morning around 10:00 a.m. I saw that the owner of the Bayliner was getting ready to cast off. Surprised, I checked my weather apps to make sure nothing had changed. It hadn’t. He was getting ready to depart the safety of the marina at the peak of the gusts. Concerned I went out to see what was going on and at least help. The owner’s name is George, a friendly Canadian on the boat with his wife Martha.
“Looks like you are getting ready to cast off?” I asked.
”Yup, we are headed to Port Edward Harbor.”
”The gusts are really howling,” I said. “In fact Sarah on the Coast Guard boat behind us had a dickens of a time getting off the dock. But, if you want to go I’ll help cast you off.” At this point the small boat in front of us with two seasoned veteran boaters also came to help.
”Does he know the winds are at their very peak, right now?” She asked me.
”I think so but I’m not sure he cares.” Unfazed she proceeded to jump on his boat and show him the wind and gust chart.
”I don’t think it’s a good time to go,” she said. Her husband and I agreed. With our urging he decided to wait an hour or so.
I went back to our boat, looked up where he was going and checked the apps again. Below is a picture of what he would be cruising into.
I have never offered boating advice unless it is requested. But this time I felt compelled to talk George out of leaving. I went back to his boat.
”George,” I said, “permission to come aboard.”
He invited me in and introduced me to his wife Martha. And then I begin. “George you know your boat best and I am not one to offer advice. I’m no expert but I need to show you what you will be sailing into, 40 knot gusts and 4 to 5 foot swells. It’s not safe and I’m worried for your safety.”
George pointed out to sea and said, “But we are just going around the corner. I’ve got a free night and they have great showers. A friend is going to meet me with a fob to let me in.”
”George, do you have to be there tonight?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “But I’m afraid someone may get my place.”
“George, I assure no one is coming in to take your place. There are no boats coming into this harbor either. It’s just too dangerous.”
”Well,” George said, “they do have a good Chinese restaurant here in Prince Rupert that we like.”
”Then George, I suggest you take your wife out for Chinese food tonight.”
”Would you like to join us?”
”I’d love to,” I lied, “but we already have reservations at our favorite Sushi restaurant.”
”I’m not one for Sushi.”
”Perhaps next time George. I can help you cast off tomorrow morning. The winds look far better.”
It’s coming up on 4 p.m. and he is still here, and the winds are still howling. I “think” he will spend the night. And this was our excitement for the day.
OMG, that would be scary to say the least, going out in 40-knot winds. I have been on anchor with 65 knt winds doing anchor drills all night, I NEVER want to do that again. I believe you did the right thing, talking to him and getting them to stay over for the night. Mother Nature does not care about your reservations or time schedule. Be safe, check the weather, and above all, have fun.
I also totally agree, that you did the right thing in talking to him. Yes, the weather and the predicting tools we have, is always to be respected.