The Midwatch Log: Staniel Cay

It became apparent as we were leaving Green Cay that the 400 miles we had travelled over the past week had really taken a toll. The wash-down pump and chart plotter had stopped working and as we sailed towards the first marker on the Decca channel shortly after dark, the radar quit. We were able to plot a course with the GPS that we believed kept us north of the channel markers but as we approached areas of greater population and fog, we decided it was not worth it to continue in the dark; we travelled a half mile north and anchored for the night in still conditions.

We awoke in the morning and were able to sail right off the anchor and had a great sail south, averaging over six knots, into the Staniel Cay area. We attempted to enter the Leaf Cay dock area but found the depths inadequate and travelled back north a short way to a crowded but great anchorage full of boats awaiting the coming blow. This weather system was part of the same system dumping snow on the northeast. As we sat in the bar, purchasing airline tickets for Grampa’s flight home ($10 internet fee) we watched pictures of snow piled high back-home; we relaxed and tried to enjoy the island life.

There are two means of air travel in and out of Staniel Cay. It was Saturday afternoon and you can’t purchase tickets online with Airline One so we opted for the online alternative, Airline Two: Flamingo Air; and then found a flight on USAirways from Nassau back to Syracuse. After entering all the information for purchase of a Flamingo Air ticket, no price listed on the web site, we awaited the promised email with confirmation number, which never came. Grampa thought we might be able to get some information at Isles General Store and we headed over there, they radioed Monique who was working at the Library bake sale. We dingied over to the Library bake sale at the Town Beach, no Monique. We travelled back to the bar and still no email confirmation. I asked the bar tender for help. He sold me a $10 phone card and told me to call Samantha who would help me out. So there I was on a payphone by a bar giving my credit card number to a gal whose phone number had been written on the back of a bar tab. If we are home broke next week, you will know why.

Grampa flew out Sunday morning from the booming Staniel Cay Airport and hopefully he is home! We had a fantastic two weeks with Grampa and are very grateful to him for all the help. We made more ground than we ever anticipated when we called for help and can’t wait for him to return later in the winter with Grandma.