Part 2 of the journey home documents the voyage from Demopolis, AL to Pass Christian, MS. This portion of the trip spanned three days and a distance of 318 miles. It began on the Tombigbee River, followed by a short run down the Mobile River and then into Mobile Bay. The journey ended in Pass Christian, MS after a coastal run through Mississippi Sound.
Part 2 began the same as how Part 1 ended, with fuel supply issues to the port engine. We attempted to get a Detroit Diesel mechanic to the boat while in Demopolis. His schedule put him a week out at the earliest. Given that, we decided to continue on down the waterway. The 800-900 RPMs that we were able to run the engine at the previous day would be fine to get us home. Or so we thought…
Day 4 – Demopolis, AL to Coffeeville, AL – 97 Miles
At 0700 we were off the dock at Kingfisher Bay Marina. Demopolis Lock and Dam was only two miles from the marina. It was open and ready for us on arrival. Throughout the entire trip we were very lucky with the locks. Of the twelve total locks, we only had to wait for two of them.
About 10 miles downriver of Demopolis, the port engine fuel issue returned. As was done the previous day, I reduced the RPM to around 800. This worked for a few miles, but now, even at this RPM, the engine would not maintain speed. The RPMs would drop to below 200, with the engine barely continuing to run.
During the previous day, when the engine RPM would drop, it would then come back to the throttle set point quickly, typically within a few seconds. Now however, when the RPM dropped, it would stay low (approx 200 RPM) for about a minute. After a minute, the engine would come back up to speed and remain at the throttle set point for five minutes or less before dropping again.
While this was happening, we tried several things to correct the problem but nothing worked. We swapped the tank supplying the port engine, changed fuel filters, and even soaped and tightened all accessible connections.
Once we were 15 miles upriver of Bobby’s Fish Camp, which was going to be our stop for the night, the port engine died and could not be restarted. We limped along for those 15 miles on just the starboard engine, getting secured to the dock around 1800.
Port Engine Fuel Line
During those last 15 miles of the day, we did a lot of brainstorming. We knew that air entering the fuel line was the problem that needed to be fixed. Unfortunately, there is very little near Bobby’s Fish Camp or within the nearby town of Coffeeville, AL. Finding somewhere nearby to make a new USCG Type A1 fuel hose was not going to be possible.
We were in a tough spot at this point being 100 miles south of Demopolis and 130 miles north of Mobile. Continuing on with only the starboard engine was a real possibility.
Since a new fuel line was not an option, we decided the best solution would be to run a temporary fuel line from the starboard Racor and connect it to the port engine fuel supply line. We came up with a materials list of what would be needed for the temporary fuel line. Pex hot water piping, one brass T, various couplings/reducers, and two Sharkbite fittings for the Pex.
As I previously mentioned, there is very little near Bobby’s Fish Camp, and we had no access to a car. The only store we found that was relatively close and could potentially have what we needed was Coffeeville Building Supply. Not only did they have everything, when we asked if they could deliver it to us, they said no problem!
Temporary Fuel Line
With all of the needed materials in hand, we got to work on the temporary repair. The fix ended up being pretty simple. A brass T was added to the hard piping on the discharge side of the starboard Racors. Connected to the T were the starboard engine fuel supply line, starboard Racor discharge piping, and Pex piping. The image below shows the piping configuration in the starboard engine room.
From the starboard Racors, the Pex piping ran below the starboard engine to the aft of end of the engine room. It then crossed below the centerline passageway into the port engine room and then forward to near the port Racors. The image below shows the connection in the port engine room. The Pex was connected directly to the port engine fuel supply line, bypassing the port Racors.
Once the Pex piping run was completed and all connections checked, we disconnected the fuel return line from the port engine. Then we ran the starboard fuel priming pump, flowing fuel through the Pex piping and into the port engine, removing all air from the lines and engine. The engine was then started and tested at various RPMs with no issues.
Even though most of our time at Bobby’s Fish Camp was spent on the fuel line repair, we were able to get off the boat for a little bit. Unfortunately, their restaurant closed during COVID and has not reopened. They do have a small convenience store that is open. It ended up being a beautiful and calm night on the river.
Day 5 – Coffeeville, AL to Mobile, AL – 132 Miles
Feeling very good to have two working engines, we got off the dock at 0630 for what was going to be our longest day on the water. Our last lock for the trip was the Coffeeville Lock and Dam. It was only a couple of miles from Bobby’s. The gates were open and ready for us on arrival. Of the twelve locks that we passed through, this was the only one that asked for specific vessel information. Last port, next port, official number, etc.
The first 110 miles of the day were nice and easy. I don’t think we saw another vessel. Once we neared Mobile, traffic started to picked up. We met and overtook several tows working the industrial sites north of the city. Traffic picked up even more once we got into the port. Tows, tugs, and ships were all on the move. Thankfully it was still daylight, as moving through here at night would be a challenge.
At 1930, we pulled into Dog River, just off the west side of Mobile Bay. We spent the night tied up to the dock at Grand Mariner Marina. After a quick dinner in Grand Mariner’s restaurant, we all went back to the boat and were soon asleep.
Day 6 – Mobile, AL to Pass Christian, MS – 89 miles
The crew was up early again. We were off the dock and outbound Dog River at 0630. Like the previous five days, the weather was perfect. Winds were light out of the east with 1’ seas in both Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound.
After a 20 mile run south through Mobile Bay, we entered the Intracoastal Waterway near the Dauphin Island bridge. After passing under the bridge, we continued westerly through the Intracoastal for 70 miles to Pass Christian, MS.
Once in the open waters of Mississippi Sound with no traffic around, the Third Mate was able to get a little wheel time.
Aegis is Home
After six days and 550 miles underway, Aegis pulled into its new homeport In Pass Christian, MS. Aside from the port engine fuel line issue, the boat ran great. Mechanically speaking, we really did not experience any issues.
Overall, the trip was great experience. The locks and inland river cruising were unique to all of us and something that we will surely remember.
Son of son of a sailor. Three generations in the photo below.
Love the journey of the boat and the three captains!
And so happy that there is a little mate to join in!
Very good! Wish I was there, Corky