US COAST GAURD - ESCORTED INTO GEORGIA

JUNE 30, 2012

6:45AM- Time for us to pass under the Bridge of Lions & out into the Atlantic.  It is going to be a beautiful clear day with light winds out on the water.  As we turned east through the St. Augustine inlet the sun rose over the Atlantic.

FINAL LOOK AT THE
BRIDGE OF LIONS

SUNRISE HEADING OUT





3 miles off shore we put up all the sails & cut the engine.  All you could hear was the water sliding by beneath the keel.   We saw few boats for most of the day, it almost seemed we could be out on the water were alone.


As we neared St. Mary’s inlet the boat traffic increased & about 4PM we made the turn between the channel markers.  We were passing the jetty when we saw a large group of boats coming towards us.  This looked serious.  Rod was trying to decide how to best stay out of the way when we were hailed on the radio by the United States Coast Guard.  We were told they were enforcing the protection zone for the submarine that was being escorted out of the channel.  Their orders were to move as far south on the channel as we could & still navigate.  All we could say was “Yes Sir!"

PRIVATE SECURITY ENTERING THE CHANNEL

OUR FIRST LOOK AT
A NUCLEAR SUB



LOTS OF ACTION, LOTS OF GUNS

SHE WAS HUGE!!!!!

We were astounded by the size of the escort around the submarine.  There were at least 6 armed Coast Guard vessels & 2 Navy, along with 2 cargo ships.  As we moved to the side to let them pass, we were joined by an armed Coast Guard vessel, less than 15 feet off our starboard side.  They stayed right between Its Perfect & the submarine until it had passed. Then they peeled off & went back to the submarine.  Obviously, this was very serious.

This has been an extraordinary experience we will not soon forget.  The Us Military in action is astounding.  After all the excitement we turn north toward our anchorage behind Cumberland Island.