01andros - Page: 2 of 3

We then went on the outside of the barrier reef and made for Fresh Creek, Andros. Fresh Creek has a couple of thousand residents, a marina, small protected harbor, barrier islands, excellent reef structure, fuel and supplies. During our stay at Fresh Creek, there was no room in the harbor and we had to anchor out behind the barrier islands. That was fine though, because in the harbor the yellow flies were bad. We stayed there a couple of weeks and enjoyed the diving. Weather, however, continued to be a problem with the wind rarely less than 20 knots.

Eventually, we found a few good days and were able to make our way behind the barrier reef down to North Bight. That route is strewn with coral heads and occasional very shallow water. However, with good visibility and minimal chop it is not a difficult route. At North Bight, we went outside of the barrier reef and continued south to Middle Bight. There, the entry via the AUTEC Channel is good in almost any weather condition. The wind picked up again and we had to sit on the hook for several days.

The U.S. Navy's AUTEC Range (Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center) has an interesting facility here. As we understand it, continuous loop cables run from the Andros Station for many miles into the depths (up to 6000 feet) of the Tongue of the Ocean. All manner of targets are attached to the cables to test submarine capabilities. See the website at:
http://www.npt.nuwc.navy.mil/autec/

With all of the rocking and rolling, Mariam’s back condition (from the auto accident) deteriorated. Delphys had to return to the States at the first weather opportunity. Later, we learned that Mariam had cracked a vertebrae and herniated disc.

After, another couple of days, we too tired of the constant pitching and rolling at the relatively exposed anchorage near the mouth of Middle Bight. We moved about 5 miles into the bight, crossing shallows with only inches to spare, and found a perfect protected anchorage. There we remained for several weeks while the wind continued.

Bone fishing for the fly fisherman is the most notable aspect of Middle Bight. People come here from all over for the excellent fishing. On several occasions, local guides in their small boats would stop by to check on us. James Moxey was one of them. He was 80 plus years old and still fished every day, usually alone, ranging all over the Bight. James lived in Moxeytown on the south side of the mouth of the Bight. When he stopped by, we gave him lunch or a snack and chatted about life on the Bight. James is a very colorful and interesting man.