Weve been anchored in a lovely channel amongst the Marquesas Keys west of Key West (off the NW corner of Boca Grande). There is good holding, a reversing current running at two to three  knots, and 15 to 20 knots of breeze to keep us cool. The direction of the wind, out of the east, holds us off a steep to shoreline (there is sufficient depth for us within spitting distance of the beach). We’d normally lie on three to one scope, but in this case, with the direction of pull reversing with the current, we are at six to one – 175 feet/56m in the  20 foot/6m deep channel.

Conditions  have been benign all day, with good visibility for navigation (something we consider mandatory), although the charts appear to be accurate.

The anchorage is semi-protected and quite good in east or west winds.

When the current opposes the breeze we tend to lay at right angles to the flow during the early phase of the current. As flow builds we align with the current. The wide angle camera lens used in the photo above makes the shallows off the stern seem a long way off. In reality we are within three boat lengths.

What is pleasant during the day often gives way to vertical instability and squalls at night. The funnel above was photographed a few days ago at sundown, so we are aware things can get dicey in a hurry!

It came out of the merging of these two thunderheads.

We were awakened at 0330 by a cold gust making its presence known on our unclad bodies. Temperature drop is always a leading indictor a cloud is about to issue wind and rain. By the time we were in the great room, and had lit off the sonar, chart plotter, and radar, it was raining hard and blowing a gale. We checked that the engines were ready to fire should we start to drag, and then looked for signs the anchor was holding.

The radar is on 1/8th NM range, with each range ring corresponding to 150 feet/45m. This indicates the breeze has us in line with the current, at the end of our chain.

We would not normally rely on charts with this type of environment. However we  have been told by an experienced hand in these parts that they are OK, and that has tallied with our experience so far. Radar and chart are in agreement.

Although we have surveyed the channel between us and the closest shoreline to the north with the dinghy, we are using the sonar here in vertical mode, aimed at right angles. It confirms our dinghy data, the water being deep enough for our five foot draft right to the beach.

Switching to 12 mile range indicates the recent squall is isolated.

A few hours after the excitement the locals are out looking for breakfast.

While we enjoy a peaceful morning.