Out of Burnham marina at 7:00AM CST. An hours run down the Lake to Calumet Harbor and the SAG channel. waves 4 ft with south wind 15 kt. Rocky sleeping last night with south wind blowing into marina and causing all boats to roll a little. Nothing major but some anxiety.
Slow going as usual through the Sag channel. Barge city. The underbelly of industrial Chicago. Just have to pay attention but not difficult.
Not difficult! Wow. Not until we reached the electric fish barrier. Quadrupled in length and seriously electrified. Coast Guard boats. Warnings everywhere. Electronic signs. Boats stacked up.The USCG comes up along side the boats and passes a brochure describing the barrier and all the restrictions and problems a boat could encounter. Then you call a command center that asks you recorded questions of obvious agreement expected. If all is in compliance (with their stipulations) you're in the cue and instructed via VHF when to proceed. If you fall overboard in the barrier the Coast Guard will not rescue you. If you willfully violate any restriction, it results in a class D felony and a $32,500 fine. Presumably if you fall over board in the highly electrified water, you'll be dead anyway and the fine's no worry.
Docked at free wall in downtown Joliet and on the lookout for "Joliet Jake".
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