KLC Lewis wrote:
"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 07 Feb 2007 08:43:27 -0500, Jeff wrote:

Content Key is on the Gulf side, north of Big Pine, about halfway
between Key West and Marathon.
About 19 miles west of the rhumb line into Moser Channel and Marathon.
There was some mention of being "blown off course". We've had 20 kt
easterlies for the last week up until today, but 19 miles is a big
offset on a 120 mile reach south from Ft Myers. Something must have
gone seriously awry.


My thoughts also. I was studying charts of the area this morning trying to
figure out how they ended up at Comfort Keys -- hopefully Skip will be able
to get online soon and fill us in. I'm totally baffled, and still somewhat
in shock over this, and can't believe their voyage may end so soon. Here's
to the good ship Flying Pig and her stalwart crew -- may they sail again!


They had planned to go from St. Petersburg to Marathon. Rather than sail
around Key West, most people opt to take Big Spanish channel. The
entrance to the channel is about 3 nm NNE of the Content Keys. there is
a lighted marker (G57) at the channel entrance. That's the only lighted
marker until you get east of No Name Key. Most people I know do not
attempt to run this channel at night. They wait at Cape Sable and leave
at first light in order to run the channel in daylight. According to my
GRIB file the wind at 1AM Feb 6 was 25-30 KN from the NE with 7-8 ft.
seas. Most likely, if he turned SE at G57, he didn't allow for the
strong wind, missed "G55" (unlighted) and ended up on Harbor Key Bank
(1-2 ft.).
krj