USCG Charter Captain Yacht Captain for hire

"The Ringleader" Shakedown Cruise
August 6, 2007

As the Parade forms up and starts marching through down town Comox, in the continuation of the celebration of "Nautical Days", Captain Terry unties "The Ringleaders"
mooring lines to the dock, and the owner maneuvers her new boat from Marina, out into the bay, through the channel to pass over the Comox bar, around Cape Lazo where the Canadian Coast Guard and Air Force have Bases set up, and north to Campbell River, which is 33 nautical miles north of Comox.
When they enter Discovery passage no moorage was available for the time wanted at April Point Marina, a fishing Lodge with a fine mega yacht marina. Moorage was secured at Discovery Marina at the end of E dock E-61 in Campbell river.
The town of Campbell river was almost empty of people, due to the holiday. Only a few restaurants and the grocery store were open, most of the people went south to Comox for the festivities of Nautical Days, and the fireworks tonight.

USCG Charter Captain Yacht Captain for hire

" The Ringleader"
Shakedown Cruise
August 5th and 6th

After securing "The Ringleader" to the Port of Comox dock Capt. Terry talks with the Harbormaster ( Called Wharffinger), about the power situation, running of generator, and about local Happenings. The Wharffinger explains that it is a national holiday and Comox is having it's Nautical days, music dancing in the port park, pancake feed with car show and parade tomorrow.
Capt. Terry returns to "The Ringleader", relates his information to the owner who is sitting on the aft deck reading and visiting with other dockside boaters. She says she is fine and Capt is free to explore shore based activities.
Hearing this he goes ashore to find the band playing old fashion rock and roll and the locals dancing their socks off. He too joins in and shakes a leg both of them.
The next day he goes to the pancake feed, the car show, but misses the parade because the owner is anxious to leave Comox and go to the next port, that being Campbell River 33 nautical miles north of Campbell River.

USCG Captain for Hire The RingLeader Shakedown 8/4-5/2007

"The Ringleader"
Shakedown Cruise
August 4th &5th

Capt Terry washes the "Ringleader", reads books and manuals about her equipment and operation, checks his email at the resort hotels guest computer station. Receives a phone call request to help bring back from Alaska an 80ft boat but declines because of being currently involved with the "Ringleader" shakedown.
The Owner is ready to move on the next day, they both decide to stop at Comox for the next night 44 Nautical Miles from Schooner Cove. North along the west side of Vancouver Island past French Creek Chrome Island, then into Baynes Sound where Comox sits on the north end of a 4 to 6 hours trip pending on the engine speed the boat is cruised at. Moorage is arranged via cell phone conversation with the harbormaster. The boat is secured. and there is music being played on shore.

USCG Charter Captain Yacht Captain for hire

"The Ringleader" Shakedown Cruise
August 3, 2007

The owner tells Capt. Terry after studying the cruising manuals onboard that she wants to go to either Nanaimo or Schooner cove north of Telegraph Cove. Capt. Terry explains that to do this "The Ringleader" must be at Dodd Narrows, 13.5KM north at the time of slack water in the narrows. That is worked out from tide and current tables, then the speed that the boat is going to run at is divided by the distance to the Narrows (13.5), that gives the time to the Narrows minus when it to be slack, and that give the departure time from Telegraph Cove.
All works out well, then the owner chooses to go to Schooner cove another 18KM north of Dodd Narrows.

USCG Charter Captain Yacht Captain for hire

"The Ringleader" Shakedown cruise
August 2, 2007

In Telegraph Harbor at Thetis Is, the day is spent by the owners reading on the aft deck cockpit, launching and playing with the boats dingy exploring the local harbor, while Capt. Terry changes the oil and filters to the Generator, and plans for future places to go.

8/1/2007 Ringleader shake down

8/01/07
Repairs having been made to electronic Navigational aids, new power cord extensions and adapters purchased, "The Ringleader" continues it's shakedown cruise.north inside of Vancouver Is.
After studying cruising manuals and books the owner chooses to go to Telegraph Harbor Resort marina, Capt Terry plots courses, explains and suggest looking to Ganges harbor, and Montague harbor enroute, to increase the owners awareness of the area, and show other safe harbors that can be used when transiting the inside of the Gulf Islands

USCG Captain for Hire Ringer Leader Shakedown 7.31.07

7/31/07 ( 7 pictures)
"The Ringleader" Ups anchor Just after dawn, runs to Anacortes, clears into customs, makes repairs, buys additional Parts and supplies. Departs Anacortes and returns to Bedwell Harbor reenters through customs and anchors again Bedwell Harbor near the park mooring buoys, all this in 12hrs..

Cruising 7/30/07

7/30/07
Upon starting "The Ringleader" and it's electronic navigation aids, it is determined that the depth finder is not working.
They cast off and go out into Boundary pass to make phone inquiries to the Nordic Tug Company and the electronic
equipment providers. It is decided that if "The Ringleader" returns to Anacortes they will replace the unit. Capt Terry suggested that they anchor on the other side of South Pender In Port Browning, where they can depart at the crack of dawn the next day and do a round trip to Anacortes for parts and repairs. It is agreed and " The Ringleader proceeds to and anchors in 30 feet of water at Port Browning located between North and South Penders just north of Boundary Pass.

Next day

The next morning Capt. Terry arranges a mooring slip at the Poets Cove Resort Marina, and the owner makes the first small scratch on her new boats gelcoat as she doesn't read the cross current right. She is devastated, Capt Terry tells her it is only a small scratch, it happens, good to get it over earlier, and learn from it.
He spends the rest of the day reading boat equipment manuals and familiarizing himself with ship systems. The owner reads her book and enjoys the resort facilities. They both buy Canadian fishing licenses.