Leaving Goose Pond, we were headed to our next stop, Ditto Landing, in Huntsville Alabama. There is a lot to do in Huntsville, but we were intent on beating the lock closures on the Tenn-Tom and did not plan to stay to enjoy…at least…the Space Center. Hindsight being what it is and everything! (Besides, we will be returning to Knoxville this way next autumn. Cross our fingers, we will get to linger longer!) So, this stop was for fuel and electricity overnight.
Shortly after leaving Goose Pond, we locked thru the Guntersville Lock.
Locking thru
The following two screen shots are from our NEBO app. The first shows Tir na nOg’s path while traversing into the Guntersville Lock, the second shows us leaving the lock. Because we technically stop forward progression while locking thru, the app stops and restarts when it senses forward movement.
Sharing the River with Barges
Since this Lake and Lock system is actually a commercial venture first, we spend a good amount of time passing barges along the way. We have AIS (Automatic Identification System) – a digital awareness system – installed on our boat. We have both ‘send’ and ‘receive’, thus allowing others with AIS to identify Tir na nOg by name, her direction, speed, and the estimated length of time until our paths cross, and we to see the same from those vessels who also are using the technology. Tugs/barges use AIS!
Below are two photos. The first is what the AIS looks like on our Chart Plotter for a soon-to-pass barge, the Roger K Shaw. The second is a photo of her passing us. We are traveling the orange arrow to the right. It will be 45 seconds until we pass each other. As a note, we communicate with the Tug Captain via VHF radio, asking if they would like us to pass them on the ‘1’ or on the ‘2’. ‘The 1’ means to pass them at 1 o’clock (or turn our steering wheel to the right/starboard). ‘The 2’ means pass them with our steering wheel turning left/port. (Because the ‘2’ is really roman numeral II, or 11 o’clock.) This does not matter if you are passing from behind or from opposite directions, the signals are the same. You may note, if we turn to starboard to cross from opposite directions, the other boat will also turn his to starboard. The same with turning to port. If we pass from behind, we are crossing his starboard as we turn starboard. The same with port.
Alabama’s changing scenery
We have to say, in spite of the heat and humidity, the changing views of the river, the birds, the narrow and wide water spaces, the need to work as a team, and the experience of making this trip, has drawn us closer as a couple.
We have also come to believe that a well-functioning A/C system is an essential item for comfort, not to mention to keep enjoying each other’s company in a spacious and well-appointed 10’ X 30’ living space. All day. Every day.
(As a note, the marina fees on this part of the Tennessee River are so reasonable that staying in a marina over running the generator all night for A/C is a no-brainer.)
Anyways, attempting to leave the next day, one of the engines would start but not run. Tried again, same; start, no run. Exactly the problem in Fox River Marina. Being the observant fellow I am, I checked the same connections as the last time, but all seemed to be correct. A quick internet search gave us a marine mechanic shop 20 miles away. When called, the young proprietor (Casey Barber from Barber Boat Works) said he would be there in 60 minutes. This astounded us, as getting a boat mechanic is usually measured in calendar days or weeks, not minutes and hours. As good as his word, he arrived: and his canny system troubleshooting knowledge revealed the connector was good, but there was a disconnect within the apparatus not visible to the casual observer (me). No connector being available in a short time (days) he wired it directly and we were out of there with but a three-hour delay. Hallelujah!
We are getting pretty good at this problem-solving gig; as long as there is only ONE PROBLEM per day.