Paradise in Key West, Florida - Boca Chica NAS Marina

Passage Revelation:  Life is full of new friends, old friends and boat friends.  Take the time to talk  or call your friends and say Hi!  You never know when they may need help or just a good listener.



Lessons Learned:  All marinas have rules and regulations.  These rules may be local, state or federal.  Rules are made to create harmony in society.  Follow the rules or if you don't understand the rules, ask the Harbour Master.



Sunset view from Boca Chica Navigation Bar & Grill

   



What a beautiful marina!!!  The sunsets are to die for...I continue to receive beautiful sunsets from my friend Rebecca Lacey on my cell phone.  I appreciate everyone I receive.  The sunsets and sunrises are incredible. 

 

All marinas are similar to living in a small town or going to high school except for one criteria.  In high school you have the popular, the geeks, the jocks and the others.  In small towns you have the rich, the other side of the track and the society.  In military marinas you have officers and enlisted, which boundaries merged into partiers and non-partiers.



All of these groups are separate, but have a goal to establish their place in society.  Boat people have no predefined criteria of social snobbishness; boat type, yacht size, or your occupation or prior occupation.

In all these groups you have written or unwritten rules, which keep peace in a society, however;  small or large.  All marinas have rules to follow.



Doug & Susan from Chicago Sandbar Friends



The common denominator is the passion for boating, whether it is sailing or motoring.  As long as it floats you are part of the overall group.  When you walk down the pier you see a smiling face and quick "Hi'" is generally the norm.  How is your boat? is asked before How are you?  When available you get an offer of How can I help?  No where in any other society will you find such willingness to assist, even with the question; Can I help you with your Head (Pottie, Loo, Bathroom, Jon (I mean John) etc)? problem. 

Boat life is GREAT and you meet WONDERFUL life long friends.  Your new friends will sail or buddy sail with you, teach you about boating and listen to your tall tales sailing adventures.



Rebecca & Lou from Key West at Mallory Square

 


Yvonne Guy visiting from Houston & Renne' in Key West

 



Karen & Ron Parsonsn from Houston & cruising  Key West - Jewelry Show





 












 



 


Kent Brownhill Houston & Crew at Mallory Square







Jon & Renne at Mallory Square

 

Pirates – Unknown-Known

Passage Revelation:  Listen to the warnings and stay alert of suspicious surroundings. Trust your instincts and use good judgment, danger can be anywhere and everywhere.

Lessons Learned:  Always be prepared against unknown-knowns.  Use your electronics for safety notification and information. Document your float plan with Tow Boat US.  When suspicious intruders are nearby call Tow Boat US with your location or any change of plans.  This notification alerts nearby boaters and pirates the fact you are not alone out at sea.

The first time I heard the term unknown-known was after the Space Shuttle Columbia came apart on descent to Cape Canaveral over eastern Texas.  NASA engineers were aware of foam chunks striking the Space Shuttle on takeoff, but did not understand the ramifications or dangers.



Next to Last Shuttle Flight with my Dad and Mom



 This is how I felt when I noticed a new marker indicated on the radar.  It would appear, disappear and then re-appear.  In the distance, I finally saw a boat approaching the JonNe’.  Of course, the boat would stop its approach and then begin again.  It seemed to be monitoring our speed and distance.  It was a power yacht who had more speed and maneuverability than our 42 foot sailboat.  Now it motored toward our bow.  Then it turned to the center of the boat.  Suddenly it stopped and started toward our bow again.   Their approach made me nervous. 

 After discussing the unusual situation with our crew, Kent Brownhill, I woke up Captain Jon, who was sleeping in the aft cabin, and requested he bring his gun for our protection.  He was startled to say the least, but promptly retrieved the gun with and ammunition. 

We all have a predefined description of a pirate.  Some think a pirate wears a big black hat with a ruffled white shirt and a large knife attached to their belt scarf.  Pirates can be anywhere but their apparel may be just like fellow sailors, or a tourist or even Kemah, Texas dress code.  They don’t sail the skull and bones for warning. Pirates certainly are unknown-known, but you can’t tell by their appearance or behavior.

The ominous boat could have been potential pirates.  Their erratic behavior led us to believe their intentions were not honorable.   Jon’s preparation and plan proved to be invaluable.   He immediately called Tow Boat US and reported our position.  This information alerted the Pirates, Tow Boat US knew our location.  Upon the transmission the pirates turned and paralleled the JonNe’ for miles.  Then after a while the Pirate Yacht anchored at our stern.  Possibly, the pirates were waiting for an unsuspected ship without a plan.

The JonNe’ continued their course in the calm beautiful Gulf of Mexico leaving the unknown-known boat on the horizon.

 

Kemah, Texas Pirates