July 31, 2019 - Petersburg AK (again)

We could not get through Rocky Pass and get to Wrangell in a single day due to the currents in the pass, so we decided to head back around Mitkof Island back to Petersburg.  This seemed the best plan.  Steve pulled the electric motor off the windlass and tested it and it is definitely running very slowly.  He called Whatcom Electric and they will make the motor repair their top priority when it arrives.  It appears there is no electric motor facility in Petersburg.  We will ship the motor from Petersburg and then maybe have it shipped to Ketchikan as we could motor south to Ketchikan using docks or marinas.  We would not want to go to Canada because international shipping and customs would complicate and slow down the process, so Ketchikan  would be as far south as we could go.

Motor update:  We sent the motor USPS 2 day (no other option) on July 31.  Whatcom Electric got it the next day, figured out the problem, ordered parts one day, next morning put it back together and tested, third day sent back to us and 4th day in the morning we are getting it back via Alaska Airlines.  Not sure what the invoice will be but we can't really continue too far without anchoring so it is a necessity.  We would not be able to return home without having a working anchor windlass.  The electric motor is not something you can go into a store and buy off the shelf.  The really sad part is that Steve had this motor rebuilt one year ago in an attempt to avoid this very situation.

We had time to explore Petersburg so went for some walks, did some tourist shopping, went to the museum and kids to the library (internet access!).  This is a busy place with all of the fishing vessels coming and going.

Kevin overlooking the slough at low tide

Cindy and Kevin coming back from the library (constant smells of fish here and Cindy loves it)

One of the walks along a boardwalk

Yes, crows can look beautiful.....

Petersburg has Norwegian Heritage

This old building had a plaque for Fidalgo Island Packing 1917

This is the Trident dock unload. They suck the
fish from the boat and then hand sort them.

While here Steve did some routine maintenance.  Topped off the battery water, changed the transmission fluids, cleaned the sea strainers, washed the windows, filled the water tanks, etc.  We are planning a trip to LeConte Glacier in the next day or two as it is supposed to be sunny and we have the time before the motor arrives.