WRAL Raleigh TV Story on McCotter's

Also Bath, Goose Creek Park, and Many Beachings

Several Power Boats in Trouble at McCotter's Marina

Some Boats Swamped By Hurricane Irene

My heart goes out to the folks who have lost their homes in Irene in NC, and I wish speedy recovery for the towns that suffered most in the storm. After retrieving Paul and Piper's boat Delphine from Broad Creek, I took a little Dinghy around to get a closer look at some of the powerboats damaged during the destruction of the boathouse at McCotter's.

Here, Equinox, a blue hulled beauty lies partially submerged at her slip. She may have been held down by docklines or debris, or possibly holed by a piling as she settled down, as happened to Mariana.





This unknown powerboat (name "I Got Mine"?)was floated onto the dock and is awkwardly perched above the water. I would like to know the names of any vessels that any readers recognise from the photos, I hope the owner is safe and sound.




Here A 29 foot powerboat, "Beautiful Day" appears to be whole with a shredded canopy, a minor miracle from the look of the boats around her. Smart or lucky captain, can't tell which, yet.



"Animal Lover" out of Peekskill, NY is sunk at the dock, perpendicular to the normal berth, doubtless floated over the dock and came down sideways, swamping in the process. She will need to be hauled and refitted, but that can't happen at McCotter's just yet, they must repair their boat lift dock.




Once you have the urge to go out, know that navigational markers may be damaged, moved or gone. This is Red "6" just in Broad Creek, giving an idea of the storm surge (although it was higher). At the end of the spoils section out in Pamlico River to the East, Marker Red "10" is missing completely.



Please let me know if your boat is featured, or if you have questions. Almost all of the boats on stands at McCotter's Marina are safe, I only saw one in the back yard that had moved. Different story at Captain Sam's Boat Yard next door, they have much lower elevation it turns out. Numerous, perhaps fifteen boats were on the ground there, including a giant cruiser in the road. I am in Carrboro, NC and took all photos on Monday August 29th.

Athena up in the Air

Orion Appears to be in Good Shape




Met the owner of Athena, briefly. Like Marshall, he spent the night on his boat at the dock, but things got complicated. He' is going to need a crane to get this baby off of the dock.

Katherine the Grate is in a tight squeeze as seen here, but perhaps is not as bad as she seems. Paul and I both commented on how tough fiberglass boats can be, until they aren't.


Here's a general view from the north of the chaos Irene left behind.



In regards to Paul, an owner, who requested information, I have added a photo of several well-tied boat, among them Orion on the South Dock, which appears, from sixty feet, to be in good shape. I know some boats were retied due to the massive storm surge, and many docklines parted in the storm, so there may have been rubbing or other damage, all I can see is what's in the photo here. Hopefully she fared well.




I have some more photos coming, I am hearing from many owners about boats they own and hoping for good news. I have photos of Delphine, Orphan Annie, Antidote, Beautiful Day, Orion, Animal Lover, Island Time, Equinox, Princess, and some others, including a Catalina 36 from WYC which dragged mooring through the far end of the fuel dock. Here's hoping your boat is OK, can be fixed, was insured, or needed hauling out anyway. Peace, Chris.

Awesome Dude at Marina Saves his Home

Link to a terrific interview, where Marshall Harris of Key West describes his attitude about protecting his property. "Not the smartest thing to do". I don't know, Marshall. Seems pretty smart to me. Also, can we borrow your metal detector? Paul and I found no CQR anchor when we went out into Broad Creek to retrieve Delphine. Seems a sailboat got tangled in one of three anchors that Paul and Piper had positioned and chafed through the line. I know you hate CQR's, Marshall, but that metal detector you mentioned when we met you might do it. How else can we find the anchor, chain and line?

Click link below to meet Marshall.

Flood worries and some relief in Irene's wake | The Courier-Journal | courier-journal.com

Sea Licious Survives, Mariana Probably A Loss

>Many Boats Damaged as Hurricane Irene Roars Through Broad Creek



Two boats at McCotter's have captured my special interest, and I first want to let reader Julian, owner of SeaLicious, a Pearson 303, get a gander at his rig, which appears below.



Looks great Julian. You are a lucky sailor, since right next to your boat were so many wrecks I couldn't count them. Most of the boats that were in the remaining boathouse were lost or damaged, as you can see below. Pictured below is (I think) Happy Sails, a Columbia 24, and Caroline. Both were damaged, but not sunk. Also, behind Happy Sails is a San Juan 28 which lies buried under tin roofing from the former boathouse. Even further back is Athena, which stands completely upon the dock!



Mariana is a Sam Crocker "Amantha" Class Cutter belonging to Don Justin, who made the difficult journey to see his sailboat. I met him on shore, and ferried him out to his boat, which was inaccessible from shore. She had risen on the amazing 8-10 foot storm surge, and settled down, fatally, on a piling. Only this prevents her from sinking now. She once belonged to G. Gordon Liddy. Don peers into the cabin to retrieve a souvenir, an irreplaceable knife from his Navy service.




Hurricane Irene has probably put an end to this beautiful and historic boat. The loss of a boat is a sad thing, but not knowing could be worse. I hope I have helped to put a few minds to rest.



I have many photos of other boats, most have survived, some have not. I will be happy to provide photos to anyone requesting information. Washington, NC has restored electrical service to many areas, fuel seems to be available, and McCotter's is open. The lift dock is damaged and must be repaired before any boats can be launched, or pulled out to be inspected for damage. The small boat ramp is also blocked by debris. Let me know if I can be of assistance as recovery from Hurricane Irene continues.

Hurricane Irene Slams Marina

McCotter's Marina Damaged by Irene

Another Boathouse Gone

Once again, McCotter's Marina suffers losses, this time from the Category 1 Hurricane Irene. I only have local news reports to go by, and I will confirm this information when Paul and I return to retrieve Piper and Paul's boat from Broad Creek.

This photo seems to show the wreckage at the docks of the marina, east of Washington, NC




A combination of hurricane force gusts and storm surge likely caused this collapse, I doubt anything could have been done.

The storm surge on the western shores of Pamlico Sound was predicted to be massive as this map of risk indicates.


The red areas are in the Neuse River, and the Pamlico River near McCotters is the shaded in brown, indicating nearly as severe a risk of flooding.

With that in mind, Paul's family and I zipped down to McCotters to ensure the safety of their 29 foot Columbia, Delphine. Our strategy was to anchor her out in the creek, where she could ride over the storm surge. At dock, she would likely be damaged by surge and waves and it was too late to have her hauled out. She had been up on stands for the previous two years. Also the flood might float her off of any stands that the staff might set up.

Here she sits on stands in October.



Below, after Hurricane Irene has passed, a boat is stranded blocking the road; this sort of damage is the reason there is currently a curfew in Washington, NC.



In a photo also from the Washington Daily News, boats in slips ride out the storm while the docks are awash.



Finally, from the WDN, from the Washington waterfront is this well-anchored sailboat with a branch, riding safely on the Pamlico River.



With Luck, Delphine is fine, Piper and Paul actually used three anchors to secure her. If no trees or boats ran into the sailboat, then she will be as we left her on Thursday. The eyewall of Irene was around 25 mile from McCotter's Marina, so no one could be confident of complete protection. I'm sure the staff did all they could to protect their property and that of clients. I hate to see property damaged, but the most important thing in a dangerous situation is to protect life and limb, and once again, no lives were lost as McCotter's suffers their continuing bad luck.

Springtime Sailing Preparation

I contacted the former owner of my San Juan 21 (Slick) to get a notarized bill of sale. He quickly returned the needed document, and I easily registered the boat at the local marina. Merritt's Marina is 15 minutes north of Carrboro, conveniently off I-85 and not near any water. Now if I can get my little four-horse Yamaha going...

YouTube - Coast Guard Assists Grounded Sailing Vessel

What can I do to avoid this situation while sailing, you ask? Be sure to avoid leeward shores.Solo sailor rescued off Great Barrier - NZ



Finally, the Loss of Tahiti Belle

Brisbane, Australia : Lost yachts rounded up | Courier Mail

As Brisbane and surrounding areas clean up from the floods of the last week, helpful souls are attempting to return some wayward boats to their owners. The Marine Safety Officer reports in the article below that identifying some of the pontoon docks and dinghies will be difficult. I am a firm believer in the value of a permanent marker or spraypaint to mark your name on your property that is near the water in the case of it wandering. It will keep the honest people honest. I remember what the fellow in Chatham County told me as he dragged my canoe to his house after a flood swept it away from my land on the Haw and hid it for several weeks. His wife told him "you know you can't keep it." He spotted my number written inside, called me and of course I rewarded him. The paddles were even in it!

Mark worked hard with me to salvage the deck and the canoe in the background from the impending doom of being swept down the river in November of 2009.







Below is a link to the original and complete news story

High and dry: Lost yachts rounded up | Courier Mail

Haw Riverfront Land For Sale $17K per acre

Lot C Shoccoree Ridge Rd.

20.6 Acres

Haw River Frontage

In Orange County, NC

In southwest Orange County, situated directly on the Haw River with a septic permit on record, 250 feet of river frontage with canoe landing, mostly wooded with some fields and old roads, a small bridge allows access to all areas of the property, small structures already situated on the property and only twenty minutes from Chapel Hill.

Wake up to the sunny Haw River and enjoy this quiet stretch of Piedmont river.

Available for $17,000 per acre, flexible terms

For Sale By Owner, Contact Chris Marthinson 919-819-9980

Map Link Below

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&q=shoccoree+ridge,+chapel+hill&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Shoccoree+Ridge+Rd,+Chapel+Hill,+Orange,+North+Carolina+27516&z=16

Luxury yacht snared amid debris | Fraser Coast News | Local News in Fraser Coast | Fraser Coast Chronicle

Good story about a yacht saved from the flood by some teenagers.

Luxury yacht snared amid debris | Fraser Coast News | Local News in Fraser Coast | Fraser Coast Chronicle

Brisbane River Flood Destroys Many Small Craft

Major disruption and much misery in Australia has been caused by this flood. An even worse flood hit Brazil during the same time period.


YouTube - Runaway boat floating down Brisbane river

Eyewitness Account of the Marina Fire at McCotter's from WCTI News

Description of the experience of McCotter's Marina fire

Couple Speaks On Marina Fire - News Story - WCTI New Bern

Most boats sank but a couple survived badly damaged but afloat, as seen in this WRAL video still.



Also some actual footage of the fire from AP News

Click for video

1925 Elco Motor Yacht Lost in Little Washington Fire.

This boat was apparently lost in the massive blaze at McCotter's Marina early the morning of January 7. It is described as a Hermione Charters historic 56 foot 1925 Elco Motor Yacht.

Click to see Classic 56 foot boat lost in blaze

It was a fine-looking vessel, and I am sad to hear it was lost.

Major Marina Fire

McCotter's Marina Fire Destroys 25 Boats

Before Paul and I went down to Ocracoke to sail the Bike Car, we went to the marina to winterize Delphine and secure her as she sat on land. Paul and I toured the marina extensively, including the big boathouse. Well, the boathouse burned last night. I wanted to post some pictures of some of the boats that were within that boathouse. Many were beautiful antiques. According to fire officials, the fire was worsened by the heat trapped under the roof. To look at the damage, there is no evidence that there was a structure at all!

Paul checks on his boat in October to see all is OK. His boat was actually about as far from the fire as possible.



The fire at McCotter's Marina blazes out of control on Friday morning. Photo credit : Washington Daily News



Video from WITN with footage of interviews and the fire

Aerial photo of the damage from a WRAL video showing that the big boathouse is gone, along with numerous beautiful vintage boats



The large boathouse in the upper left is now rubble on the bottom of the Pamlico. Pauls boat is safe outside of this view in the lower right.


See McCotter's on Google Map

McCotter's Official Site



From the Washington Daily News




View of the outside of the large boathouse which burned Friday morning, during better days in October.



View from within the doomed boathouse



Paul and I walked out to the end of the big boathouse to catch a good view of the entire marina. I saw the table and chair from the helicopter view of the damage on WRAL, so I guess the end of the dock survived. Three boaters were rescued from the end of the dock by being towed away during the fire. A woman suffered from hypothermia after jumping in.








Table and chairs next to Paul in the above photos have strangely survived, as seen in the WRAL screengrab below. The large tarped cabin cruiser behind Paul in the October photo is now gone. It had hailed from St. Louis, Mo.






One of the beautiful cruisers lost to the flames Lady Larimar of Washington, NC




The striking deck of Mercedes III of Washington, NC, Also lost to the flames



Article from Local News

From Eyewitness News 9

:WASHINGTON, N.C – Investigators are trying to find out what caused an early-morning fire at McCotter's Marina that injured three people and damaged 25 boats along with a dock.

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office says the 911 call came in around 12:30 Friday morning.

When crews arrived on the scene, they said the north dock was engulfed in flames. They worked to get boats out of the way of the fire but 25 of them were damaged with most being a total loss. A covered dock was also lost to the fire.

Three people were treated for minor injuries including burns and hypothermia.

The U.S. Coast Guard is on the scene to see how bad, if any, the environmental damage is from the fire.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Hobucken, N.C. got the word from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department of a fire at the marina around 1 AM this morning. They immediately launched a 24-foot rescue boat crew.

A boat crew from Coast Guard Station Hobucken is still on the scene monitoring the situation and has placed boom in the area to contain any debris and pollution from the fire. They've also contracted a cleanup company to respond to the scene.

Pollution investigators from Coast Guard Sector North Carolina are on scene as well to assess the amount of pollution caused by the fire.

Fire departments from Chocowinity, Bath, Washington, Bunyan, Clarks Neck, Old Ford and Cherry Point responded. The investigation is on-going.