Day 16 - Alaska Flotilla Leg 4 - Alert Bay to Port Neville

Day 16 - Alaska Flotilla Leg 4 © Laura Domela

Sharp-eyed readers may be wondering why we're continuing down Johnstone Strait since this flotilla was set to end in Port McNeill and the next one is leaving from Port McNeill. Part of the reason is we need something to do for the next week. Part of the reason is that one of the boats we're with is heading home after this leg, they haven't transited the "five rapid" route before, and they thought it would be nice to do with experienced people the first time. And part of it is because we're going to pick up one of the participants for the next flotilla in Campbell River (they wanted some extra help transiting the rapids and Johnstone Strait for the first time).

Current in Johnstone Strait can be a blessing or a curse. Running with us (and not against the wind), the current can nearly double our speed over ground. Running against us, progress seemingly halts. Traveling east/south, we hoped to ride the flood, but Canadian Hydrographic Services predicted no flood today. The tide is still going up and down, but the current appeared to be either slack or ebbing all day, a bizarre phenomenon that happens from time to time on Johnstone Strait. Lacking a flood to ride, we figured slack would be the next best option, which meant leaving around 6:00 a.m.

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