Departures are full of endless tasks. Along with provisioning food, water and fuel, you have to consider survival gear. Lawrence has an existing supply of emergency equipment including life vests, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, first aid kit, Iridium Go Satellite transceiver etc. etc. Additionally, he has a relatively new water maker, lithium batteries, new electronics etc. And here are a few recent purchases including:
A new USCG Polyethylene Foam Life Ring, 30" White
Sailor's survival pocket knife
Self-inflating man-overboard Dan Buoy
Jacklines
Strobes, flares and more...!!!
Life Ring, pocket knife, Dan Buoy, Jacklines, strobes, flares etc.
And who doesn't need a Garmin Smart Watch?
Packing only the essentials! ...and maybe a change of clothes and a toothbrush...
Lawrence is prepping in ways you only understand if you've previously been on a serious sailing cruise or followed one...
Buffing in progress 😂...
Bluewater looking sharp!
Per Lawrence...
...Sailing distills down to working on a never ending task list...
Fuel...
...Check!
Fishing is also on the list!
Fishing rod organization
Reel maintenance
Starlink Internet - ready for installation
Liem Dao, premier Bay Area marine electrician from Alameda
Port Bow, facing FWD
Starboard Hull, facing FWD
Electrician Liem Dao working on wiring
New Starlink internet is lightning fast per Lawrence
Serious preventer with custom dyneema spliced snubber and 4:1 block and tackle
Fresh laundry to start the trip!
Galley
Thursday August 20, 2026
Coyote Point Marina, San Mateo, California
Bluewater Coastal Run - Leg 1
Departure Time:10:51am local time Thursday August 20, 2026
Departure from:Coyote Point Marina, San Mateo, California
3 souls aboard
Lawrence Kerver
Bruce Santos
Craig Nevin
Destination: Monterey, CA
Distance to Destination:Approx 105nm
Estimated Duration:approx 20-24 hours
Crewmembers Bruce and Craig aboard Bluewater
Lawrence and crew
Bluewater departure from: Coyote Point Marina 8-20-2026
And...They're off the dock and underway at 10:51am Thursday 8-20-2026!
8-20-2026 Intended Route: Coyote Point Marina (CPM) to Monterey with possible stops in Half Moon Bay and/or Santa Cruz, if necessary
Big props to Craig who brought homemade banana bread - one of Lawrence's all time favorites!!!
All was well until...The Raccoon stowaway intervention...wait...what?
Racoon Mama
Stowaway Raccoon discovered underway!
Apparently, a crewmember who wanted a clear conscience and karma points called
animal control for safe removal of cute furballs. Lawrence's communication with Oyster Point Marina was met with a clear command: DO NOT LEAVE RACCOONS ON OUR DOCK!!!
Extended stopover at Oyster Point Marina (just north of CPM & SFO)
Animal control boarded at Oyster Point Marina
The Mama searching for her 2 babies at Oyster Point Marina
Animal control searching in sail bag for all stowaways
Success! The raccoon mama and her 2 babies were reunited and removed from the premises
Whew! What a fiasco that led to an extended delay at the start of a long journey!
Lawrence called Liz/Mark at 3:40pm PDT as he was approaching the Bay Bridge. He had been talking to Gloria and was trying to find out why his Bluewater tracker wasn't tracking. At the time he was seeing a lot of traffic including ferries, ships, container tugs etc. Shortly thereafter, he solved the tracking issue.
Mark also discussed fishing advice from a call earlier today from Kevin MulHolland but in fact Kevin had already called Lawrence too! Thanks Kevin!
Texting conversation while Bluewater was near Alcatraz
By 4:20pm PDT, Bluewater had crossed under the Bay Bridge and was near Alcatraz, aiming for the Golden Gate Bridge and we could see him on the tracker.
Golden Gate Bridge in sight!
Captain Lawrence on Bluewater's bow
Lookin' Good!
Mark texting with Lawrence just before 5pm
Mark and Lawrence obsessively review weather, tides, winds & waves whether they're onboard (Lawrence) or not (Mark). Mark noted that a 6:04pm slack tide at the GGBridge was perfect timing!
Lawrence's NOTES regarding weather
7:56pm Bluewater is abeam Half Moon Bay but pushing on toward Monterey
Lawrence reported that it's cold! Truly he knows to expect this of the SF coast!
Beanie's are great for a cold weather cruise!
Looks inviting! I wanna be there!
At 9:30pm Thurs night 8/20/2026, Lawrence sent a photo of his instruments and said "all of our alarms are on and ready." By 10:30pm the tracker showed them south of Half Moon Bay near Pescadero.
Some of us (Liz/Mark) got sleep (at home in bed) while the new day dawned...
Friday August 21, 2026
5:57am Friday 8/21/2026 Lawrence reported "We're still alive!"
6:27am Friday 8/21/2026 Video from Lawrence
Apparently it was a "cold & miserable night" but "sailing is so much fun!"
Crew napping
5:30am approaching Monterey
6:30am closer to Monterey
Friday August 21, 2026
Arrived! Monterey
Bluewater & crew checked in Safe & Sound @ Monterey Municipal Marina
Departure: 10:51am Thursday August 20 from Coyote Point Marina
Arrival: 8:31am Monterey Friday August 21, 2026
Distance: approx 105nm
Duration of Leg 1: approx 22 hrs
Bluewater docked at Monterey Municipal Marina
Saturday August 22, 2026
Departure of Leg 1 crew (Bruce Santos & Craig Nevin)
Arrival of Leg 2 crew (Mark Barrish)
Craig & Bruce - Breakfast!
Mark arrived Monterey! Lawrence + friend Mark
Mark & Kim visiting in their 57foot Catamaran anchored in Monterey Bay
Other friends
Monterey Municipal Marina approx 8:30pm Saturday August 22, 2026
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