Finlayson Channel to Bottleneck Inlet, May 12-13 , 2015

Seaforth Channel to Finlayson

Emails are unread, bills not paid but we need to push on, leaving  Shearwater at 7:45 AM. Our destination in Finlayson Channel is Bottleneck Inlet and the waterway leading there is a hazard.  Where in the past, the water has been littered with logs 30 - 50 feet long that we have had to swerve around, this time we are dodging a few Orcas and  actual trees, stumps and all.  Many, many trees.  For many, many hours.   We were told to expect this as the area experienced hurricane winds two weeks earlier but we didn't think it would be like playing Demolition Derby.

One of Many

 

 Bottleneck Inlet, as the name implies, is a narrow entrance, only about 200 feet wide at one point, with a rock shelf extending into the passage-way from the south shore.  At zero tide it is only one fathom deep but we make it through and are rewarded with a scenic cove.  There are already two other boats in the bay and Sea Bird hails us on the radio, inviting us and Fire Fly over for cocktails.  Yes!   I am so ready for these cocktail gatherings.  Rainforest crackers with goat cheese and fig raisin chutney.  I even have cute serving dishes.  Unfortunately, we can’t go because I have a case of food poisoning that has me down for the count.

Orca

We spend a quiet evening and just as we are about to go to bed, we spot a sailboat coming through the narrow entrance.  He is hugging the south shore, exactly where the rock ledge is, but he has a man perched mid-way up the mast as look out.  Apparently his theory is to stay close to shore so he can spot the rock outcropping as he hits it, although this strategy is flawed as it is dark out.  But the sailing Gods are with them and they make it safely in.

Finlayson Channel

The next morning we are the second boat to depart at 6:45 AM, leaving behind Sea Bird.  We make it about 10 nautical miles north when we get a radio call from Sea Bird telling us they have a leaking shaft seal and are rapidly taking on water.  We immediately turn around and hightail it back.  This is every boater’s nightmare, magnified by being in a remote area with no one nearby to help.  The Canadian Coast Guard monitors radio calls (no NSA here) and intercepts to find out the extent of the emergency.  They continually keep check on Sea Bird and us as we rush to help.  Forty-five minutes later, while Sea Bird’s First Mate Linda has been continuously hand pumping water overboard, Captain John stopped the leak. We raft off their boat, which is anchored in Bottleneck, and Jim clambers on board to assist.

Buddy Boating in Finlayson Channel

It is decided that we will buddy boat with them until we are all sure everything is operational.  We make a head start while they raise anchor and within 15 minutes they call – they are again taking on water and this time they are out in Finlayson Channel.  We turn around rush back, if you can call 8 knots rushing, it feels more like a lazy putter.

 Once back, we have to position our boat precisely next to a moving/drifting boat, being carried by the winds and currents, and raft off.  Jim leaves this dangerous and delicate maneuver to me. All food poisoning discomfort has been replaced with adrenalin injected terror.  I manage to gently sidle up next to their boat with no deaths or dings.  Jim heaves over with tools and repair materials while Linda and I make sure our boats drift along in sync.



It has been determined by the experts, a CPA and a physicist, that having finally stopped the leak, the fix will not hold if they run their engine. Adrift in Finlayson Channel, the Coast Guard dispatches a rescue vessel.  They will be towed back to Shearwater.  This is not our first experience with the Canadian Coast Guard whom we have found to be highly helpful and reliable.



Waterfall in Finlayson Channel

After wishing John and Linda an expedient repair so we can meet up in Alaska ,  we resume our journey, three hours later and now with the current and tides against us.  I wish the Canadian Coast Guard could do something about that.

And yes, not a single picture of Bottleneck Inlet as I was too ill to hoist the camera.