March 16

The night passed without event. The wind remaining light at 5-8k and the swell steadily easing as we passed Santa Catalina island which provided a nice break to the swells. We were busy, however, dodging ships left and right as they came and went via the traffic separation channels leading to Long Beach Harbor, L.A.’s main shipping terminal. 

By sunrise we had only 20 miles to run to Marina del Rey and as the swells eased (and a current added to our direction) our speed increased to 6-6.5k over ground allowing us to arrive at the entrance to the basin at about 10am. By 10:30am we were tied up to the guest docks at Burton Chase Park, a public park where slips are maintained for visiting boaters with a seven day limit. We spent 2 nights here almost six years ago on our way South – it was our first stop after a 9 day passage from Seattle in September, 2001. 

We plan to remain here until Tuesday when our permanent slip will be available at the Tahiti Marina just across the basin. We are truly at the end of the line this time!