Sunday, May 2, 1999 at the Moore Haven City Docks

With the engine and transmission fluids checked and all the electronic gear tested, Independence got underway at 06:45 and traveled approximately three hundred yards into the Moore Haven lock where she and four manatees locked through to the beginning of Lake Okeechobee. The weather was sunny with a calm sea. During the thirty-nine mile crossing another Chris-Craft Constellation passed by coming down from Stone Harbor, New Jersey. Neil Bishop who owns the 1960 50' Connie   "After Fifty" was making the trip back to his home port in Sarasota, FL.   It was nice to see that Independence has a cousin out there making the same kind of trip. The eastern leg of the Okeechobee waterway was joined at the Port Mayaca lock. Next was a stop at Indiantown Marina for diesel fuel and an update to the web site. Lunch on-board was assorted lunchmeats with lettuce, tomato, mustard and mayonnaise. Continuing on then to St. Lucie lock, the last lock on the Okeechobee waterway. The 152-mile trip across the Okeechobee waterway ended at 16:30 when Independence emerged on the East Coast of Florida at Stuart and turned North on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW.) Marine traffic was moderate to heavy at times. The heavier boats needing to keep to the channel while the smaller boats were darting back and forth. With a strong sun and winds out of the north east Independence made her way up the ICW to the Harbortown Marina in Fort Pierce where she slipped into the mooring slip at 18:30. Independence refueled taking on 193 gallons of diesel fuel. Everyone enjoyed a leisurely dinner by the water at the marina restaurant.

Pictures (click to enlarge)
Bridge Opening	Bridge	Harbortown Marina
Independence