Travels of The Rose

Workhorse of the Intracoastal Waterway

The Neuse River

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Today we are sitting in a slip at Ocean Marine Yacht Center in Portsmouth, VA. After a couple of false starts from Dowry Creek and then running for three days with just the port engine and no anchor windlass we docked here on Tuesday, 4/28 to take advantage of one of the largest service departments in the area. These folks work on mega-yachts much less little trawlers like The Rose. I had called ahead and inquired about service. They graciously moved us, (transients) to the head of the line and since we were in for repairs there is no charge for the dock. Early Wednesday morning the electrician was aboard, listened to the symptoms and agreed that it was likely a foot switch and brushes. Within two hours he had the windlass removed, brushes cleaned/reinstalled and had installed the two new foot switches that I already had aboard. Everything works! The existing, "down" foot switch was still working, but I elected to replace it as well and put the original switch in the spares bin. Meanwhile the diesel mechanic came aboard, listened to symptoms examined the engines and manifolds and concluded that it was likely a defective injector or lift pump. I pointed out that the Racor manifolds, (2) were getting difficult to operate and he agreed with cleaning and overhaul. The parts department manager placed the order and all parts are to be shipped overnight.

Today, (Thursday,4/30) the parts are in and I'm told they will be installed tomorrow. I understand we will also have a sea trial to insure that we reached the correct diagnosis.

Connie and I slept the first day we were here after running long and hard from Charleston. Neither of us minds long days, but running with one engine really stretches time. Thirteen hours at 5.4 kts is tedious!

We are making good use of our time here in the Portsmouth/Norfolk area. I needed to have a Coumadin level taken at a lab and then faxed to my Physician in Melbourne. That turned out fine so the dosage will remain stable for the next 2-3 weeks. The marina has a courtesy car which we used to shop at West Marine and Office Max. We will likely stock up on dairy and vegetables just before we depart.

For the past several years we have been unable to tour the battleship Wisconsin which is docked here in Norfolk. Actually they have a Naval Museum alongside the ship which is equally interesting. So today we took the ferry across the river from Portsmouth to Norfolk, ($0.75 for Seniors) had lunch and wandered through the museum and the battleship for the afternoon.

The foredeck and forward mounts of the Wisconsin

Connie getting ready to go aboard

The Chesapeake has been whipped into a frenzy by a weather system so we're in no hurry to resume our travels immediately. Hopefully later this weekend after the sea trial we'll make way to the upper Chesapeake and then the C&D Canal which connects the Chesapeake to the Delaware Bay.
Here are a few more pictures for your enjoyment.