The dock lines were untied at 6:10am today and TOM-KAT headed north again on the NJICW. The first picture is a view of our sunrise through the rigging of all the fishing vessels across the dock from us. On a calm day, boats will go outside to head up to Atlantic City, but there are small craft warnings out on the ocean today, so we’ll stay inside. The ICW route will take longer due to waits for bridge openings, many “No Wake” zones, and the meandering path of the ICW.

Most of the bridges we can fit under (we need 15’ with mast and antennas down). We had to have the Stone Harbor bridge open and also the 9^th St Bridge in Ocean City.

Many of the local boaters discouraged us from taking the ICW because of shoaling, especially in the lower half of the state. TOM-KAT draws 3’9” and it’s recommended that if you draw 4’ or more that you take the outside route. We saw many shallow areas today.

This was a pretty egret fishing in the shallows.

More shallow areas with an osprey nest in the background.

Near Ocean City, NJ we saw this pirate ship attacking another vessel. From the shrieks coming from the pirate ship, we’d say that all aboard we’re having a great time!

We left the NJICW to cross Little Egg Harbor Inlet and we saw this sailboat aground. The buoys switch sides here because of the inlets from the ocean and the sailboat picked the wrong side of the green buoy to cruise.

Once we were back on the NJICW we mushed to a stop ourselves! After a few choice words, Bob backed up and very, very slowly moved over to the green buoy. The chart plotter did not show the green buoy 50 yards to the left that we should have honored. The paper chart does show it and now has a note to that effect. Bob revved up the engine and didn’t feel any vibrations, so guess we were lucky!

A little farther down the ICW, we turned off into Ventnor City Basin and dropped the hook. We had traveled 40nm (5149nm-Total) today in 7.8 hours and it was time for lunch and some rest. We have vacation homes in front of us and marshland on our stern. The anchorage is probably a very busy place on the weekends, but it’s very quiet here on Monday afternoon.

This duck family came by the boat looking for food and no wonder…..Mama had at least 22 babies to feed!

Something about this place makes me wish we’d brought our Monopoly game with us.

Thanks For Visiting With Us.