(Scott here)
Travel Day #3

Click here to download the USCG Float Plan.
Phone numbers for USCG offices can be found here.

We belong to the AGLCA, America’s Great Loop Cruiser’s Association) and are following the Flotilla plan they put together. Over 250 boats trying to get through the IL River in a very short period of time. We are in Flotilla #1. Some of our 12 boats arrived at Joliet a couple of days ago and went through the locks already without too much of a problem. Hopefully, we will get through quickly and without issue!

Initially we were to go through the locks on October 1, but the flotilla’s were all pushed back 5 days due to one lock not being ready. So, the plan is now October 6. This means we need to travel on October 5 to go from Hammond to Joliet. This is our plan.

Rita Here: Going through locks is all new to us. How to handle the lines on the lock wall, possibly having to raft to other boats, etc is something we’ve never done before. We have prepared as best we can and are trusting in the good Lord to guide us through if we (probably I) panic. We also will have to wait for some bridges to open before we can proceed, and although we’ve done that before, I’m sure everyplace is a little different. At any rate, prayers for safe and peaceful passage would be greatly appreciated. Rita is now done 🙂

Initial Plan
Date: October 5, 2023
Route name in Aqua Maps: TD: 10/05/23 (Hammond to Joliet)
Nebo Link: Click here
Crew: Captain Scott, 1st Mate Rita, & K9 Jazzy
Start at: 8:00 am
End at: 7:00 pm – we found out some boats have made the trip in 6-7 hours or so. I really have no idea with having to go through 2 locks and have a couple of bridges open for us.
Total Time: 10:00 hours (6:54 travel time, 4 bridges, 2 locks)
Distance: 48.4 miles
Fuel Plan: 62 gallons
Mid stop: Sunset Bay Marina (TM 25.5)
Planned Stop: Joliet City Dock (Free wall)
Alternate location: Brandon Road Lock

Issues for this travel day
Right now, I am estimating 30 minutes per bridge opening and 1.5 hours per lock for my timing, but, we have been told most people are making the trip in about 7-8 hours. We have a planned buddy boat to leave Hammond with us. We measured our air draft and came up with 16’6″, so we should be able to get under 17′ bridges. This route will be a test of that!

Enter the Calumet River at MM 333.5
TM 4.0 (MM 332.7): Elgin, Joliet & Eastern RR bridges need to be opened. All three will open at once. VHF channel 16/12 or one prolonged horn blast (6 seconds)
TM 5.1: 100th St bridge closed 17′
TM 5.9: 106th St bridge closed 17′
TM 8.5: Indian Harbor Belt RR Bridge, should make it at closed 22′
TM 10.0 (MM 326.5): Thomas O’Brien lock (our first ever lock!!)
TM 10.35 (MM 325.9): Sunset Bay Marina, Mid-stop if necessary
TM 43.3 (MM 293): Emergency anchorage if wall is not available
TM 50.6 (MM 296-295): A few miles of barge parking area, not a lot of room, use VHF 13 to talk with them
TM 35.7 (MM 300.5): Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway bridge, lowest bridge we must get under at 19.7′ at pool level 576.2′. To calculate clearance use this link to see the pool level. Add 1.3 to the latest stage to convert to ngvd (not a typo). Subtract the result from 597.2 low steel elevation and that will give you the current bridge clearance.
TM 43.6 (MM 293): Lockport Lock (our 2nd lock)
TM 47.5(MM 288.7): Ruby St bridge closed at 17′, use VHF 13 to contact them, will not open 7:30 am to 8:30 am and 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm
TM 47.9 (MM 288.4): Jackson St bridge closed at 16.5′
TM 48.2 (MM 288.1): Cass St bridge closed at 17′
TM 48.4 (MM 287.9): Jefferson St bridge closed at 17′
TM 63.5 (MM287.8): Joliet City dock free wall

Weather Prediction
Date/Time Check: 10/04/23 @ 3:00 pm
Leaving from: Hammond, IN 10/05/23 @ 8:00 am

Windy (ECMWF):
Wind: 9 mph, gusts to 14 mph, out of the South (Might be raining)
Temp: 65 degrees
Waves: 1′ from the South, 0′ swell with 1.8 sec period
Predict Wind (PWG):
Wind: 9 mph, gusts to 11 mph, out of the South
Temp: 64 degrees
Waves: 1′, from 191degrees, 2.3 second wave period

Arrive at: Joliet @ 4:00 pm
Windy (ECMWF):
Wind: 9 mph, gusts to 18 mph, out of the west
Temp: 74 degrees
Waves: NA
Predict Wind (PWG):
Wind: 10 mph, gusts to 14 mph, out of the W
Temp: 71 degrees
Waves: NA