On the 45-mile long Grenville Channel, it's all about the current. The flood current rolls in from both the south and north entrances, meeting "somewhere" in the middle. Likewise the ebb starts "somewhere" in the middle and moves out against both ends. It can reach 3 or 4 knots in the narrow sections, so finding that "somewhere in the middle" is critical to getting a boost, or a bust current. We have it marked at just about the entrance to Klewnuggit Inlet and by exiting Lowe at 5:30AM we made the best of both the ebb and the flood.
We came out the top of the Channel and Arthur Passage into open ocean expecting big swells. It was flat water with 5-10 knots of southeasterly wind. As always it's best to go when you can, and we should have, but opted instead to what we hoped was good wifi in Rupert. We arrived at the Prince Rupert Rowing and Yacht Club at 1PM and tied up behind True North, the original Nordic Tugs 52. Later Miller Time, an Ocean Alexander 70, and Miss Ann Marie, a custom 78, tied up as Environment Canada warned us of another gale. We planned for at least two days in PR.
Flat seas greeted us upon exiting the Grenville Channel.
A commercial crabber works the waters just outside Prince Rupert.
We counted 11 ships waiting to load grain and minerals at the bulk loading facility on the way into Rupert Harbour.
Prince Rupert is now accepting Far East shipments for rail transport directly into the US Midwest saving almost 3 days transit time, much to the detriment of the Ports of Seattle and Vancouver.
The Canadian CG Gordon Reid spent most of the evening loading fuel just next to the PRRYC.
On Tuesday Captain Jeff from True North came over and invited us to happy hour. He invited the crew from Debra Lynn as well. We enjoyed snacks and drinks. Then Captain "beam me up" Scotty from the Debra Lynn said his corned beef was almost done and he had enough for us all. It's great to be invited for drinks and yet not leave without dinner. We agreed to team up with True North for crossing the Dixon Entrance tomorrow.
The Admiral and Captain of Wild Blue aboard True North
Homemade corned beef and cabbage form the yacht Debra Lynn. It's vegetarian corned beef.......
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