TOW BOAT U.S. PLEASE COME

 "Let's go out to the Intracoastal Waterway and test our dinghy". We have life jackets, phone, radio and all necessary stuff in the boat. For a change lets head north to an anchorage we heard about. After about 10 minutes heading north our dinghy's engine shut off. It turns out the water pump failed (again). The last time was in 2018 after taking our friends to the airport at Staniel Cay, Exuma. We paddle to shore and put an anchor down so we don't travel away up north with the wind. Paul gets the handheld radio out and realizes he packed the one that only receives, it does not work when we call Tow Boat U.S. Out comes the cell phone and arrangements are made but unfortunately, we had to sit in the dinghy for about one hour waiting for the tow back to the marina. This is exactly the reason we have Tow Boat insurance! Plus there is a big red sticker on the hand held VHF radio that does not work. 

We had to tie alongside Tow Boat U.S. once in the marina and get safely back to our dock. Waving to friends on the fuel dock and us being the story of the day. 

We said good-bye and big thanks. It is so good to test the dinghy before you leave Florida. Paul is now ordering extra water pump kits.

These are the life jackets one wears and if one fall in the water they explode open. I know this but never had it happened because we have never had the experience of falling in the water with one on. The one on the left exploded open for no reason today. It was an explosion! It was so loud and happened so fast. I ran up to the flybridge to find out what the noise was. I guess this one was old? No water involved in this.

Our plan so far is still provision and head to Exumas, Bahamas early February.