Norfolk

So we're charging north:  Alligator River to Coinjock to Norfolk.
Part of my morning routine is to check the oil, check the belt and the coolant level
This morning the coolant level was out of sight.  Started the engine and saw a steady leak of coolant into the bilge.  Not good.  We had a window for getting to Deltaville and it closed.

I did a very bad thing.  I assumed the worst.  After an hour of investigation I said it's a blown head gasket and that's not something I'm going to fix.  So I said OK, we're done. 

But after another hour of investigation I saw that the leak continued without the engine running so it couldn't be a head gasket which would only leak under pressure.
Just like the raw water pump that I replaced in the Bahamas, this was the closed cooling system pump and I just happened to have a spare on board.  (I love you Wes Eldred!)
So I spent the day changing out the pump.  It was not an easy job.

Success.  Or we hope so.  We need to run this puppy foa while before we can claim victory.  But had I not checked the coolant level thid  morning, we could have been in big trouble in the Chesapeake as a big norther  headed our way.
As a chronic optimist, I have always assumed the best.  As a ship's captain, my job is to assume the worst and plan for it. 
So we're at a free dock in Norfolk (actually Portsmouth) and may not be able to head north until Friday or Saturday because strong northerly winds.
We will prevail!
So will you!