28 Sep 23

We crawled out of bed after 08:00, and after breakfast, decided to get going. The Admiral overruled my desire to head to the north side of Saturn Island via Boat Pass, so we went down the south side, motoring all the way. As we crossed the US/Canada border into the USA, dodging the “Cosco Vietnam” along the way, I contacted US Border Patrol via my CBP Roam app to request clearance. While we were waiting for approval, I headed toward Sucia and got the jib out. Suddenly, a US Coast Guard launch powered alongside and requested permission to board us to do a safety check; it was a joint crew of US and Canadian Coast Guard. They were very friendly and checked that we had all the correct safety equipment, gave me a copy of the check-sheet (with no deficiencies noted) and left. About the same time, CBP confirmed that we were clear to enter the US. Then, we turned the engine off and sailed toward Sucia, only starting the engine when our boat speed finally dropped to less than 3 kn. We were tied up at the inside-most mooring ball at 13:03. There is only one other boat on a mooring ball (leaving 12 empty balls), one at anchor and none at the docks; definitely end of season cruising. The afternoon was clear and sunny. Peggy and Jim, on “Carisma” came in and anchored near us later in the afternoon and, after a walk on Sucia, we joined them for cocktails and dinner (lasagna) and did not get back home until 23:30.

48-45.084’N, 122-54.137’W; Log = 19.1 N-m, Sum (2023) = 3087.5; Eng. hrs = 2.6, Sum = 3599.7