Day 12: Smokin'

We woke this morning to clear skies for the first time in many days. This turned out to be the best part of our day.

We fired up the engines by shortly after 7 - well, we fired up one engine but couldn't get the other to even turn over.  As Michael came below to investigate, I heard an urgent - strike that - extremely urgent call to "SHUT IT DOWN...SHUT IT DOWN".

So, of course, I did just that. I learned very quickly that there was smoke coming from somewhere in the engine room.  Thank goodness Michael is mechanically apt, and can evaluate and assess these things extremely well.  There were only two things running - the generator and the starboard engine (the port engine had failed to start).  But what about that port engine that wouldn't start.....

We decided that we were safe to move on one engine.  After all, we had already traveled a day on a single engine, and done fine.  So we started her up, hauled anchor shortly after 8 am, and headed out at a stately 8 miles per hour.  Around 11, I noticed that the tachometer was fluctuating wildly (yes - I was driving) but the temp was holding steady.  It happened two or three more times, so we decided to look for a place to stop.  Of course we were in a section of the river that does not have many safe places to stop, and we had a number of tows coming towards us. (We knew this thanks to our AIS.)

We picked a spot mentioned in our guide books, and confirmed with a passing tow captain that we would be out of the way of oncoming tows if we stopped there.  We were just out of the channel, tucked in behind a green marker, at the entrance to a tiny creek.  And there we sat, waiting for the engine to cool down enough for Michael to safely check things out.

Before too long, there was a call on the radio from Godspeed, a Louisiana based trawler that we had come across once or twice before (Columbus Marina and Bashi Creek).  The lady asked us what kind of trouble we were having, and told us that her husband is a retired diesel mechanic.  "Sit tight" she said, "we'll be there shortly".  They pulled alongside us before too long, and Billy came aboard to see what was up.  He found that the positive feed bolt to the port engine starter had sheared off, and we had probably fried the starter mechanism...which would explain the smoke.

The starboard (working) engine was pumping out a little coolant, but nothing terminal.  It was decided that we could safely run on one engine, and that Godspeed would slow down to travel with us and make sure we were OK.  Pam told me that they had decided before they even got to us, that if we couldn't run under our own power, they would lash us to their side, and carry us down the river with them.  And this from total strangers!!!

We made it to the Alabama River Cutoff at Mile 53, and have arranged to go to Turner's Marina just south of Mobile tomorrow, where they have mechanics, and electrical experts, and the help we will need to get going again.

I have always carried all my tension in my shoulders, and I have not felt my shoulders get tight since we got to Alabama in April - until today.  I don't know if I have ever felt quite so vulnerable - at the mercy of the river, and the kindness of strangers.

A good stiff Bloody Caesar at the end of the day certainly helped, (our Canadian friends will understand) and we'll be on our way again in the morning - one engine still, but confident that it will carry us where we need to go.  And if that fails, there's always Boat US - travel insurance for boats.

Today's miles:  47 (and it took all day), to Mile Marker 53

Total miles:  562