We left Norfolk/Portsmouth at about 7:30 for the 2 hour run down the Elizabeth River into the Chesapeake Bay. This is very interesting since about half the US Navy is tied up along this stretch, along with commercial shipping and other maritime activity. The photo shows "Warship 51", which is how they refer to themselves on the radio, being towed out of her mooring prior to departure for sea. We did not know quite what to do in terms of just passing, or getting on the radio and requesting a pass. Figuring that if you asked, you would probably be put through some kind of drill or asked to shut down until they got under way, we just blasted past. This is an old oil business trick- always ask for forgiveness rather than ask for permission.
Of course the minute we passed, we regretted the decision, since they ignored us as if we were a mere fly on the wall, or in this case, the edge of the ship channel. This immediately sent the discussion into how the radio banter could have gone. Warship 51, Warship 51, this is sailing vessel Potemkin of fun-loving People's Republic of Kazakhstan asking you to move over, ...over....maybe then enjoying a full military investigation? Naw, just quietly pass by. Experience dictates that structured organizations such as the military and most of my prior employers have no sense of humor in these matters, which is disappointing. Would have been a great joke, provided they held their fire.
We had a good run up the Chesapeake motor sailing with a nice breeze behind us. When we reached our target of Deltaville, it was too early to stop, so we continued on to Reedville and are currently in a beautiful anchorage watching a spectacular sunset and enjoying a glass of Prosecco. Life is good. The extra mileage today means a short run tomorrow into Solomons, ETA early afternoon.
Awesome trip, awesome experience, and we will reflect further in some final blogs once we have completed our journey and have had time to reflect.
Rob
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