CODA BAHAMAS BOUND 2024-2025 (27)

CODA : Elizabeth City of Hospitality

21 October 2024

Mid-Atlantic Christian University, Elizabeth City, North Carolina 

The NC State Park Bridge (zero clearance).

Marc-  We seemed to have a slow start this morning.  First the State park bridge opens when you call them on the phone and find the bridge operator.  The bridge is in three pieces, the sides tilt up and the center span floats and spins left.  Several miles further we encounter the South Mills Bridge operated by the South mills Lockmaster who is located at the lock 1 mile south of the bridge.  When you contact the Lockmaster he informs you when the next passage takes place (11:00) and that he needs to check the there are no north bound boats before he closes the kock and drives up to the bridge in his truck.  Once he arrives at the bridge it needs to be prepared and he needs to get the cars and the pedestrians off of the bridge (not as simple as just lowering the gates when there is only one bridge in the center of a busy little town).  In any case eventually the bridge opens and you are told to proceed to the lock and to disregard the red light and simply go in and to secure your boat to the starboard wall and wait for the lockmaster to arrive.   This part actually went as planned.  The Champlain canal has is incredibly more efficient.  

Locking through the South Mills Lock with a tiny floating island.

CODA performed perfectly today despite hitting 3 more sunken logs on the bottom and trimming a few tree branches.  Final score no boat damage.  A catamaran that came through earlier in the day trimmed a few branches and dislodged its wind indicator instrument a the very top of its mast.

The wind sensors, running lights and radio antenna are at the very top of CODA's mast.

Michael and I assisted our neighbor to raise him to the top of his mast to restore his instruments.

Roses are tossed into the sea to Welcome CODA to Elizabeth City.

We docked on the campus of a very welcoming college.  The docks are first rate and we were allowed to use the showers and bathrooms in the gymnasium.

Elizabeth City Harbor of Hospitality