We have traveled through Thatcher Pass numerous times. It is the popular way to cruise from Anacortes to the San Juan Islands. We have made the crossing in sunny weather, flat dead calm, wind, rough seas, you name it, we have been there. Well today's crossing takes the cake! Traveling east from Stuart Island all was going well, a little current against us but a normal passing
Then just as we passed Spencer Spit on Lopez Island the fog started rolling in. By the time we got to Thatcher Pass it was thick, dense fog. Thankfully our radar works well. There were three Nordhavns in the pass, two ferries, and numerous small fishing boats. We know this because of our radar. We couldn't see them until they were less than 1/8 of a mile from us. And then just as we left the pass and entered Rosario Strait, there were two tugs pulling barges, one coming towards us from the south the other from the north. What to do? Put the throttle on full speed ahead!!
What a passage. But the Captain kept his cool and by the time we had crossed Rosario Strait the fog had lifted, the sun was out, and it turned into a beautiful day. Happy 4th of July!