Goin' Aground

It has to happen sometimes on the Bank side of the Exumas. Extremely shallow water prevails, and at low tide, the depth goes down to 0 below the keel at times.

The morning promised a beautiful day. We were finally able to leave the harbour we’ve been stuck in for a week, because of extremely high winds and crazy seas.

So off we went for an hour-long excursion to Little Pipe Cay, which was new to us. Prominent sandbanks made for lovely colour changes in the water, and a 20-minute dinghy ride took us to the end of Tamarind Cay, where we jumped into the turquoise ocean and snorkelled a gorgeous coral reef. Many different kinds of coral delighted us – fan, brain, elkhorn, basket, staghorn, finger, green cactus, among others. There were tons of fish of all kinds, and a large sting ray smoothly glided by us – hardly noticing our presence. As we dinghied back, a huge sea turtle swam by and then dove as we approached. What a treat!

Then a short trip took us back to Staniel Cay, and that’s where the excitement really began! We were just about at our destination, when the I-pad we were using for navigation ran out of juice. We knew where we were at that point, but had no depth chart. Oh-oh – the tide was low, and before we knew it, we were aground! Not a tragedy with a sandy bottom – but here we sit, having eaten dinner, waiting for the tide to rise enough to float the boat, so that we can re-anchor away from this very shallow mound we’re perched on L.

The only worry is that, before we have a chance to re-anchor, the boat will float into our neighbour just behind. So we’re standing watch as the tide steadily rises. Wish us luck!