Spanish Waters is a relatively big bay with four distinct anchorages and 5 marinas. Despite the large sailing community in this area, both permanent and transient boats, there is not sufficient water flow within the anchorage which causes significant growth on your bridle and anchor chain. We had installed a 100 meters of brand new stainless steel chain while moored in Bonaire. Within a few weeks at our Curacao anchorage we had significant growth. What does “significant” mean?
Let’s rewind for a minute. You might recall, we had a bit of a challenging time finding a good place to set the hook when we first arrived. After several attempts we ended up about 100 meters into one of the many channels but since the winds were blowing 25 kn we decided to stay where we were. Then we had to let out another 10 meters of chain because another boat anchored too close to our bow so we were even further in the channel. It was not “the main” channel, but a channel none the less. When we let our chain out another 10 meters we had to pull up the chain to remove the bridle in order to let more chain out and that is when we saw just how bad the growth was. You could not even see the stainless it was so long and thick. I would have taken a photo, but we were in the midst of re-anchoring and I just couldn’t get to my camera. Matt tried to clean the top part as best he could before we dropped it again.
Fast forward, 6 days later, we finally had a low wind day (blowing 15 kn) and a spot opened up in front of us so we decided to to move the boat. Which meant we had to pull up all of the chain. Much to our surprise, it was not as bad as we thought. The chain that was dangling in the water along with our bridle were of course the worse because the remaining 55 meters rubbed against the sea floor keeping the growth down to a minimum.
Clean chain as viewed thru the trampoline
After 6 days, the belly (or kellet) of the chain that hangs in the water already is growing hair.
6 days of growth.
Our bridal has been submerged for 3 weeks and check out the long locks on it – can you even see the stainless hook we use?
For our landlubbers, a bridle is used to limit the movement of the boat at anchor. One line is tied to the starboard bow, another line is tied to the port bow and they are connected by dyneema (a really uber strong line) and stainless steel connectors. The image below are the two lines and the stainless steel connection point that is hooked on to the anchor chain to limit movement. Here is an interesting blog with images for anchoring Best Practices for Anchoring.
3 weeks of growth on bridle. Where’s the stainless?
Matt also had to pull up our 2nd fortress anchor that we put out for the storm. It took him awhile as the anchor had a lot of load on it for several days and he had to pull it up by hand, in strong winds and current.
Matt pulling up 2nd anchor by hand
Now we are safely anchored inside the anchorage (well technically we are right on the corner), but inside is better than outside. As soon as we moved a monohull came in and took our old spot – in the channel.
As we look out our boat, just off the starboard side, there is a mountain called Kabrietenberg (or mountain of the goats). The entire trip is about 5.4 km and the highest peak is 78 meters high – should take a few hours. We were told that there are a few caves toward the top and a really cool Indian statue next to one of the openings. So, Matt and I decided to go exploring. We took the dinghy over to the dock and began our walk.
We walked past Pop’s Place and Fort Beekenburg (which we had already visited on a previous adventure) and the Quarantine House. In 1874 the area of Caracas Bay was designated as a quarantine station for ships of infectious disease on board. The garrison buildings near the fort were set up as a hospital for sick seamen. South, on the corner of the bay, in 1883 the observation device for healthy sailors built, the Quarantine Building which is where the sailors had to stay until it was determined that they were not infected. There is a legend that this building is haunted, but if you are interested it is for sell for a mere 270,000 euro.
Quarantine House on top of hill.
Quarantine House entrance.
Quarantine House interior.
We left the quarantine house and rounded the corner to Tug Boat Beach. We were so excited to visit this little beach which was named after the tug boat that was accidentally sunk years ago. A new beach bar was recently built in June by using random parts and pieces around the island. Unfortunately, we did not bring our snorkel gear and the bar was closed so we will have to come back another time.
Tug Boat Beach.
After we left Tug Boat beach we headed up Kabrietenberg mountain with the hopes of finding the caves and our Indian. It was a relatively easy hike with a small dirt path and lots of cactus to duck, dive, twist and jump over. We ventured off several smaller trails, came across some beautiful scenic stops with views of Santa Barbara Beach and marina, Spanish Waters, and the ocean. We found several caves, but no Indian. Hmph….we must be in the wrong spot or did we miss him?
Matt found a wee cave to play inside.
Small cave we walked around.
We decided it would be best if we just kept moving forward instead of circling back as we had already circled most of the mountain. Not sure we were still on a “path” but we found a walking area by the mangroves and ended up back by the main road.
Our little Indian will have to wait for us, until, we go exploring again.
