Yesturday we had a wonderful sail for southern cal. The winds were about 10-15 knots, the water started out a little choppy at first but soon began to smooth out into long drawn out swells. We were running between 5.5kts and 7.5kts! (nice clean bottom).The sun was bright and we decided to head straight out into some deep water (about 15 miles offshore) and try our luck fishing. We saw a few different pods of dolphins rounding up bait balls. They were jumping out of the water like crazy! There was a flock of Pelicans that did circles around the boat for a while. After several hours, we started to turn and head towards San Diego. When we were about 8 miles from Pt. Loma, we heard over the radio, "This is Navy Warship calling sailing vessel" (such and such degrees...such and such navy ship). We listened and heard it again only this time they said "sailing vessel 8 miles due west off Pt. Loma." I was like, "Neil! they are hailing us!" So I went inside and answered back with "This is sailing vessel Handfull responding to call, over." They came back with something like "We are traveling 12 knots on a fixed course. Our charts indicate a possible collision on current course. Do not alter position. We are altering our course." Then they gave their coordinates and I said "Roger that, Over!" Within a few minutes we were passed closely on our starboard side by a very beefy and stealthy looking Navy Warship.
We have never been hailed before, so it was kind of exciting. (yes I am a geek that way!). Once we got closer, about 5 miles off Neil yells, "What's that?" We look over and on our port side a submarine pops up! We were all just dumbstruck for a while followed by a brief discussion about how we would not like to be on the firing end of either one of these amazing marvels of man.
The wind never let up until we were tucked away far inside the bay. It has been a while since we have had a full day of sailing without having to "motor sail" for some of it. The sunset was gorgeous and even though we didn't catch any fish, we certainly had a very relaxing and fun time playing offshore. I cannot wait until we can do this fulltime, every day...until then, I cherish and am thankful for the ones I get!
(below are some pictures..the one of the submarine `pic 2` was hard to get and a little blurry...but it looked like a small black building followed by a tail...sorry guys, better luck next time).
5 comments:
COOL!!!!!! Does that make me a nerd too?
perhaps we are promoted to dweebs if we are both involved?(haha) it was so cool though!...love you
you were hailed by the us navy? how cool is that. Even the navy recognises the rife family! did they salute handful when they went by?
We moved from hmb to marina bay. Now we are making plans to haul and paint.
Mearl sold his boat to a man somewhere in England who has been wanting to buy it for years. It was sad to see mearl watching it go. Mearl says too hard to get in and out of. And will stay with Merna or buy condo. Barry
Thats cool that they hailed you to let you know what was going on. Barry; My mother and i were at the harbor Sunday and did not see your boat. Did you change to another slip? We just paid off our boat and are going to be hauling out in the next 3-4 months Hope things are going well for EVERYONE. Our time is coming SOON, YEAH!!!!
ah too bad about Merle...buti hpe he will stay close to the water...i gather we are all in need of a haul out soon...tis the spring time weather after all..love to all..keep us posted. tiff
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