Charles and Margo Wood - Charlie\'s Charts North to Alaska

8

northerly winds can result in steep and dangerous seas. But it is with the
winter storms that this body of water is at its worst. In the late spring
and 5ummer there are less frequent storms. Good anchorages are indicated for
waiting out inclement weather conditions on either si de of the Sound.

Most powered craft find that the 45-mile crossing from Port Hardy. God's

Pocket or Bull Harbour past Egg Island and Cape Caution to Safety Cove angles

comfortably over the prevailing swell. An alternative route with less exposure

to the Sound can be made by crossing to or keeping on the north side of Queen

Charlotte Strait and beginning the passage from Allison Harbor or Miles Inlet.

Though this route involves a shorter distance, one is running directly into the

swell and prevailing northwesterly winds. In addition, this is a lee shore;

thus caution is advised.

Weather reports are broadcast from Alert Bay, including observations at Egg

Island lighthouse which lies along the route. The observations from light-

houses ahead give an indication of the type of wind and sea conditions on the

main part of the trip aeross. They are of great assistance in deciding on the

time to travel. A list of reporting stations on Canadian Coast Guard Radio is

given in Appendix III.

The currents run quite strongly in many of the passages and allowances

should be made for them in courses set and in estimated times required for

travelling.

Fog and rain are comman in the summer months. Preparations far the trip

across should include marking in and noting the bearings of the important

lights and islands. The Canadian lighthouse system is good for providing key

route markers--not just for making night passages. Although paor visibility

(as a result of haze or fog) may make it difficult ta identify one's destina-

tion against the mass of similar terrain, the islands scattered along the route

are usually good navigational aids.

In addition, there are four radio beacons suitable for use during this

crossing. These are. from sauth to north:

Alert Bay - 335 kHz (range 25 miles) _. -- ---_ ..

Pine Island - 318 kHzIV (range 40 miles). - -.

(operating in sequence with Lennard 15. and Quatsino)

Cape Scott - 354 kHz (range 75 miles) - - •.

Egg Island - 207 kHz (range 25 miles)

Because of the relative placement of these beacons a bearing crossing Cape

Scott with one of the others (depen~ing on your position) is the only choice

far the route across the Sound.

Dixon Entrance

The passage of Dixon Entrance takes one across the border between Canada

and the United States. This section is exposed to the full effeet of the open

Pacific, but with a judicious choice of route and weather the crossing can be

made without difficulty.