Camera went on strike:(
Sorry everyone. Sadly our camera has gone on strike. 🙁 Perhaps it was feeling overworked the past few days? Hopefully pics like the following will be OK from now on.
We went to the beach.
We went snorkeling and saw some fish.
I know you are all wondering just how I got to be so multi-talented. I will just say that it is a tough cross to bear. 🙂
Seriously, we had a big day in the water yesterday. We left The Bight on Norman Island and made our way to The Indians, a fantastic snorkeling spot just off Pelican Island (see chart below to find these places, and the others I’ll mention). This is a popular stopping point for boats and there are convenient moorings surrounding the snorkel sight that you can pick up and use while there, We filmed a ton of video and after working hard, I was able to pare it down to a 9 min. clip. Once we acquire a decent internet connection I’ll do my best to upload it to YouTube.
From The Indians, we traveled to the far north-eastern anchorage on Peter Island, Deadman’s Bay. Our PDQ friends Eric and Bonnie, recommended that we stop there and do some snorkeling and we’re glad we did. The edge of the bay is largely sand and grass but when we swam around the point of the island, we found some great rocks, coral and fish. I honestly don’t think the pics and video that we have been taking come close to showing just how cool it is to be completely surrounded by hundreds of thousands of tiny fish. They were literally all around us!
Deadman’s Bay is said to often be a bit rolly but we had hoped that the predicted south-east winds might prevent that. Unfortunately that was not to be the case and at about 4:00 PM, we decided to move back down the island to Little Harbor to avoid the swell. The guide books warn that Little Harbor is deep in the center and because it is small, boats often anchor close to the shore and place two anchors out to avoid swinging. Well, we arrived there late enough that many of the prime spots were taken. So, with the constant attention of literally the entire sundowner-drinking anchorage, Rebecca and I set out to do another first, drop an anchor and then tie a stern line to shore. About the only thing we had going for us here was that the wind was almost non-exisistent. It was crowded though and after 2 botched attempts, we finally settled on a spot. Anchor one was dropped close to the only boat in the place who did not put a stern anchor out. I smiled and yelled to the concerned captain to relax, promising to move safely away from his boat. After backing away from our anchor, paying out rode, I jumped in the water and swam a line to shore, securing it to a large rock. Rebecca stayed on board, first paying out the rode and then winching it in tight to limit our swinging. This process was complicated further in my eyes by the four foot barracuda that seemed just a bit too interested in what I was doing!
All’s well that ends well though and our method worked sufficiently for the night. Our boat stayed put even as multiple rain squalls (with thunder and lightning) passed over us. If we were going to stay like this any longer though, which we aren’t, I would use some chain around that rock, or at least some chafe gear on the line. As it stands now I would be afraid that, given more time in this position, the line would chafe through. Next time.
Hmmm, they don’t look like barracuda.
Those were the friendly fish, not the angry-looking barracuda.
Hey Mike, we also have a Canon D10 Powershot camera, so I am curious what went wrong with yours? Seems like a pretty rugged camera and able to withstand some impact, works underwater, etc. With the use of the camera in salt water have you routinely cleaned it in fresh water? Do you think the salt water did it in? Or do you think it was just it’s time? Seems like the perfect camera for sailing/cruising and I have heard others refer to it as the “cruiser’s camera”
Can’t say what is wrong specifically. We have used it pretty hard so I feel we have gotten our money’s worth. I would buy the exact same camera again if I can’t resurrect it.
Looks like you made North Sound. Saba Rock is my guess. Due west across the sound is Leverick Bay Resort. Tonight is their BarBQ buffet and Mocko Jumbie show. Head over there.
Hmmm… we got this a little late. 🙁
I noticed that Walker and Nancy (mentioned in an earlier comment by Kirk – I think it was) have the same camera you have so was asking Nancy about it and she said that it was their third one. The first two died as soon as they took them in the water. The third one seemed to be doing okay so far. So perhaps it got some water in it. If this is a known issue with the model, perhaps the company would be willing to replace it? Worth a try.
I don’t remember any comment like that and I went searching for it, without success. Can you show me the link where you saw it? I haven’t heard of anyone having issues like this.
Mike,
You sure are multi-talented – maybe a one-man show is in your future?
I don’t understand why are you making crosses bare, are they clothed?
Re: the camera – Have you been routinely rinsing (aka soaking) the camera in fresh water after a snorkeling trip. The salt water has a way of doing nasty things if left to dry around the waterproof seals. One other problem that another cruiser had was taking the camera from a sunny spot and then plunging it into the relatively cold water. The temperature change was too sudden and a bit of water got in (that’s the story anyway!).
Olympus replaced our camera twice, FWIW
I fixed the typo. Gracias:)
I have not been consistent with the fresh water soak. I have only done it intermittently.
For what it’s worth, I have, for the time being, revived it. I left the camera with the gates open inside a zip lock bag full of rice. It has seemingly dried it out (if that was the problem).