American Star

As mentioned in the previous post, restrictions on a bridge opening would have forced us to enter a strange harbor after dark; not wise.  So, we anchored for the nigh 14 miles short of Charleston.  The next morning we found American Star anchored at the mouth of the creek we had tucked into.  No problem, we were able to sneak around her bow and proceed down the ICW.  Soon, however we noticed American Star coming up on our stern, but not fast enough.  The bridge tender decided to delay our opening to wait for her.

Once through the bridge, I noticed she was gaining on us in the narrow channel so I contacted the Captain and ascertained she was doing 7.9 knots while we were doing 7.  We slowed and moved to the far side of the channel and waited for her to pass.

The last part of the ICW before it enters Charleston Harbor has some sharp turns that American Star had to slow down for, forcing us to slow.  But, once in the harbor she turned one way and we headed straight for The Haborage at Ashley Marina where we had reserved a slip.  We had tried to get in the City Marina, but all the space was taken.  As we entered the Ashley River and the narrow reach to the marinas, American Star was on our stern again.  Evidently the Captain had given the passengers a short tour of Charleston Harbor before heading to her reserved space at the City Marina.

At that point I declared it would cost each passenger a beer for me to accommodate them again.  Actually, the Captain was very professional and a gentleman.  There are probably a couple hundred more pictures of Serenity out there somewhere.