Passing the Alaska state ferry - a tight squeeze through Wrangell Narrows, Alaska

Cruising Alaskan Waters over 45 years
(Unlimited tonnage USCG license for 25 years)
2008
Special Piloting/Navigational Training Cruise
May 5 - May 15

10 Days - 2300$ pp

Seattle, Washington to Juneau, Alaska Departing Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle on May 1st  arriving Juneau May 11th.  This cruise is designed for those wishing to gain experience with piloting techniques and local knowledge of the inside passage from a professional Mariner and pilot with over 1000 trips on the inside passage in 45 years. While underway you will receive- 10 DAYS OF DOCUMENTED SEA TIME - 112 TONS Hands on instruction on piloting through currents such as Seymour narrows along with do's and don'ts and techniques used by ship pilots. Tips and instruction in the techniques used for transiting ocean entrances such as Queen Charlotte Sound  and Dixon Entrance.  Professional watch standing techniques for night time and restricted visibility navigation. Heavy weather ship handling, anchoring, boat drills,emergency situations and abandon ship protocols will all be covered. Tips and piloting techniques utilizing modern electronic charting and traditional methodologies utilized since Capt. Vancouver first visited these waters over 200 years ago. You will receive information covering these topics at the beginning of our voyage. Questions and concerns relative to your needs for transiting to Alaska including voyage planning will be addressed one on one.  In addition there will be plenty of time to haul crab and shrimp pots, fish, dine on delicious home cooked meals and enjoy the scenery. Sign up now as berths on this voyage will sell out quickly! $2000 pp shared staterooms   August, 07   A couple of months ago I took the opportunity to travel to Alaska by boat.  Now, I could have said “I took a boat north…” or “I crewed on a …..” but actually, I found some folks gracious enough to have me along as they took their Charter boat to Alaska for the season.  Wil and Melanie have transformed “Sundance” a former Alaska Fish and Game boat (a 70 foot Albacore fishing boat) into a great adventure boat for Alaskan waters.  Well, that boat can go anywhere.  At 70  feet and 150 tons it handles just about everything…and two weeks in Alaska gave us a bit of everything.   I was basically “crew” in a non-watch keeping sort of way.  I traveled with Wil and Jan, both retired Alaska Ferry skippers.  Between them there were a couple thousand trips up and down the inside passage and every time they spoke there was something worth remembering.   We ran 24/7 to Ketchikan due to charter deadlines.  During that time I realized the pristine cruising grounds we were passing.  From there on we took more time to crab, fish and generally snoop around.  We had a stop over in Petersburg before pushing on to my departure in Juneau.   It wasn't a sailboat.  It had great accommodations including a sauna.  I couldn't’t get use to all the power (ac power all the time) but I’d do it again in a minute.  If you are interested in an Alaskan adventure, check out these nice people and this great boat: http://www.alaskaexplorationcruises.com/boat.htm   All this to say, “Next year….”  We’ve had a busy charter season but “Next year” before our season starts I want to take a trip north.  April, May and June.  That’s my present dream.  I’m starting my trip planning now.   calm seas, Don, Bellingham Sailing

 

Alaska Exploration Cruises, Inc.
1890 Pinecrest Ave
Coupeville, WA 98239
USA

360-678-0212
For US callers 888-678-1892

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