Belhaven - Morehead City

Heron at Belhven Town Dock

Well – our challenge was not met with good success this morning.  We think the pump-out machine was not really strong enough to suck out a holding tank of our size but we were able to lower the level a bit and make it through to the next port.  At least it was a beautiful view from the dock!

Houses are on stilts

The scenery is starting to change and more looking obviously like “the south”.

Everybody keeps their boats on lifts

Damaged Boat

As we transited through another dredged canal (though fortunately much shorter and with more interesting scenery than yesterday’s), we could see some residual damage from the storm. 

Commercial fishing boats at Adams Creek

We had great weather again today to travel.  The sun was shining most of the day but not too much wind so perfect seas for us.  There is obviously a strong fishing economy here and we have seen many commercial fishing boats as well as the more recreational sportsfish boats.  

Shrimp Boat

We had dolphins escort us into tonight’s marina, Morehead City Yacht Basin.  The marina hosts The Big Rock fishing tournament in June with a prize of $1.2 million and it is only one of many tournaments that are held throughout the year.  

Dolphin escort

The dolphins, however, are protected (phew!).  The Captain thinks that this marina is the same one that he stopped in during the delivery trip with Chuck and Captain Todd in 2008.  All of the boats in this marina were mandated to leave when Matthew came through and the majority were hauled out of the water.   Fortunately, the marina itself did not sustain much damage.

Morehead City is across the water from Beaufort (and joined by a bridge).  The Captain visited Beaufort once before when he and Chuck met Brian Ellies in the mid-80’s to collect his Pearson 32’ sailboat and sail it to Jacksonville, FL.

Captain is advising Crew (who has been really good about getting up early despite her preference for a slower start to the morning!) that it is an even earlier start tomorrow.  😫