[UPDATE 4:45 p.m.] Even the Coasties Couldn’t Help This Sailboat
Part of living in this beautiful area is getting out and connecting with nature. A lovely little sailboat is extra connected right now as she has gone “hard aground” on Indian Island in the Humboldt Bay, according to a spokesperson for the United States Coast Guard.
The Coasties are unfortunately unable to help as their ship is too deep to slip into the increasingly shallow waters of the Humboldt Bay as the tide goes out. Low tide is around 4 p.m.
Currently, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to help with one of their smaller boats. But, says the Coast Guard spokesperson, “I don’t know if she will be moving ’til the next high tide.” And, that isn’t until around 11 p.m….not exactly the right time for good lighting.
The next high tide with light isn’t until about 10:30 a.m tomorrow. Wish them luck, folks.
UPDATE 4:45 p.m.: And the boat is practically in dry dock now…
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Oopsie!!! I saw a sailboat out on the Bay around the corner yesterday afternoon, hope its not this one
About 10 years ago I was fishing behind pacific choice and watched a small sailboat get tangled up on a channel marker.
I don’t know for sure but this sailboat looks like one that is anchored near this location in the bay frequently.
what is the policy, if any, about anchoring out in the bay for longer periods of time.
I don’t see it here, San Diego and SF have huge problems with it..or did.
Plenty of time to dig some clams, then.
They’ll never live this one down. Good times.
Back in the early 1960’s there was the remains of a boat about that size on the eastern side of Indian Island (or Gunther Island as it was called back then). I don’t know if it was true or not, but many of the locals claimed it was the remains of a boat owned by Earnest Hemmingway. It eventually sunk and faded away into the mud, but I remember it well.
Should have stayed in the “slot”! west of the boat basin. Humb. Bay is very limited for sailing. Must have taken some real seamanship to get those big lumber schooners in and out. As Popeye would say “How Embarasking! Uck Uck Uck Uck!
OLD TOWN OBSERVER, The harbor nav. charts for San Francisco, San Diego, Humboldt, show the designated anchorages.(As well as the deepwater channel) This fellow might want to invest in one. Some are for commercial traffic only, some are for smaller transient traffic, some serve dual purpose. The ones in Humboldt Bay are dual purpose anchorage. If they’re not marked well on the chart or you are not certain about dropping in a crowded anchorage or unfamiliar waters, you can contact the U.S. Coastguard Capt. of the Port on vhf ch. 16, and they will direct a mariner where to go. For smaller harbors, like Crescent City, contact the harbor master. The U.S. Coastguard Capt. of the Port for Humboldt Bay, believe it or not, is in Alameda. The master chief at Somoa Station acts as his liason. There are usually no time limits unless the Capt. of the Port states otherwise. Usually it’s a safety issue or the vessel has become derelict.
Seal up all the holes in the deck and around the companionway – duct tape will work for a few minutes – take the main halyard or get hold of the masthead with a stout line and kedge her off. But she looks like she’s 3′ into the mud with the keel. Looks like a Hunter, too, so you could pull the keel bolts right through the hull.