This Doesn't Feel like Flor-i-da

When we called to find a slip at Fernandina Harbor Marina they said they had something for us, but it would be on the outside dock and it might be a little rough. We decided to go ahead and take it (even when Ben clarified they had actually called it a "breakwater"), we've already had a few rough nights, and it's easiest for us to dock (with one motor) on a t-head or in a linear docking situation. We should have realized the mistake when we got close to the marina, and hailed them on the radio, they said "you'll be right in front of the cruise ship." The cruise ship ended up being fine, (quiet), but it was a pretty rough night. The northwest wind was blowing us right up against the dock, and Ben started to worry that we were going to pop a fender. I didn't realize that was something to worry about, but since Ben was worried, I was too.

We survived the night, but woke up to a very cold morning. It was still pretty gusty, so we came up with a plan for getting off the dock over our Cheerios (with one motor, we've developed a pretty good habit of breaking down responsibilities/who is going to do what when we dock or leave a dock). The biggest problem for this execution was my hands were completely numb, and my fingers were not working enough for me to hold a fender in place, (our pivot point), and at the correct moment, quickly, on Ben's cue, untie the line that we were using as a pivot. The first try the line was a little too far forward, and we weren't pivoting correctly. The second time I couldn't get the line off the cleat and slipped quick enough. Before attempt three, a cruise passenger walked by and said "It sure doesn't feel like Florida." Ben from inside the enclosure thought he said, "Having a little trouble this morning?" I think Ben might have been projecting, but he had also completely forgotten about the cruise ship and was totally baffled that someone would be walking around a dock at 8 am (it was cold, we got a late start) and not offer to help with a line. But it ended up working out fine, third time was a charm and we made it about 55 (statute) miles it to St Augustine Beach.