Saturday, February 15, 2020

Turks & Caicos
21.45.631N
72.13.429W

I guess today was the day to get underway if we were going anywhere.  Stargazer actually moved last evening to the opposite side of the marina for a “quick getaway” at dawn this morning.  Unfortunately, in the process, they wrapped the “lazy line” around their prop stalling the engine midway out of the slip and every hand on the dock and neighboring boats scrambled to help try pulling them back in before any damage was done.  Poor Dave was cursing boats in general as he jumped in to clear the line. 

In an effort to help, Rum Truffle (the Brits), started their engine and tried to move a little out of the way so that Stargazer could clear their bow but ended up running over their own “lazy line.”  They had line cutters on their prop and sliced right through it.  So, we divided our efforts to help keep them off the dock as they retied their boat to keep from bumping into their French Canadian neighbors. 

Everything was in good nature and we all joined together later for our Valentine’s dinner up at the marina restaurant in the evening. 

Today, Stargazer was first and made their dawn getaway.  Then, Texas Crewed left mid-morning after repeatedly losing their GPS position on their chart plotter. Rum Truffle draws 6.5-7’ and waited for high tide at about 2pm but still had the most problems maneuvering through the shallows getting out of the channel leading to the marina when they left.  We counted at least 3 times of touching the earth.  Then after a change of guests, La Perle Blue, left this afternoon for a week but will return on Friday.  So, after a couple of days of playing bumper boats, the marina is considerably less crowded and much quieter. 
We on Gypsy Palace contented ourselves, washing the boat, getting the laundry done and in general getting ready for our departure tomorrow.   As it will be a day or two before we are able to connect to the internet again, please be patient.  I haven’t abandoned you yet.