Alaska | Captain, who's driving?

I have never been too keen on Kodiak; not because of the place itself, but the channel approach it.

One’s morning starts at 5 a.m., out of my cabin window I can make out the islands which surround the port, the swell surging in eruptions of white spume on the jagged coastline. Then to the Bridge, caffeine in hand and a (very) thorough review of lights, buoys, distances and courses. We have rehearsed the arrival during our Bridge Resource meetings, however it does no harm to personally go through it all again.

One has to pass through a narrow gap between 2 reefs, well marked with beacons and lights, (in this case, because of the tide height, they are clearly visible though). Once through, a turn to starboard and a pass between the next 2 buoys, on one side, shallows, on the other, rocks, before approaching the berth itself.

It’s drizzling and a grey, dull morning,; I have decided to swing on arrival, so my bow is pointing outwards; the wind is reasonable and I’ve learnt to make the most of it, one never knows what it’s going to be like at departure time. A pirouhette off the concrete, keeping the bow close and bringing the stern around to parallel before bringing her alongside. The longshoremen are wearing their wet-weather gear, hoods up and trying to keep dry.

The approach

The harbour is full of fishing boats, the wharfs consist of canneries. Ahead of us, to the south, is a vast U.S.CG. base, their sterling work often features on TV during the various ‘Alaska’ themed programmes which seem to be popular at the moment.

I had hoped that I could possibly manage a quick jaunt ashore to photograph bears, they frequent the garbage dump and salmon streams nearby, however my ‘spies’ told me that any self-respecting bear was seeking cover from the weather and none were about…maybe next time?