(Scott here)
Travel Day # 4

I am using this blog as my notes and Float Plan (for our kids to know where we should be.)

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

Initial Plan
Date: October 6, 2023
Route name in Aqua Maps: TD: 10/01/23 (Joliet to Ottawa)
Nebo Link: Click here
Crew: Captain Scott, 1st Mate Rita, & K9 Jazzy
Start at: 7:00 am
End at: 5:00 pm
Total Time: (6:30 travel time, 3:00 3 locks, 1:00 for 2 bridges)
Distance: 45.3 miles
Fuel Plan: 58 gallons
Mid stop: Capt’n Nabber’s Marine (TM 24.3 MM263.2)
Planned stop: Heritage Harbor, Ottawa, IL

Notes for this travel day.
We are in Flotilla 1 with the AGLCA group of 16 boats. We will be traveling together to get through the locks and many of us will be staying at the same marina in Ottawa. Apparently, the owner at the marina will give an excellent detailed briefing on the IL River and what to expect as we head down.

This is what I expect as known obstacles on the route.
TM 1 (MM 287.6): Chessie RR bridge 10′ closed
TM 1 (MM 287.3): W McDonough St bridge closed 17′. Needs 1 hour notice to open and won’t open between 7:30-8:30 am. Flotilla leader will make this and all contacts.
TM 2 (MM 285.9): Branon Road Lock. Flotilla leader will call the night before and the morning of to confirm our lock-through. He will also call the other two locks.
TM 16 (MM 271.5): Dresden Lock
TM 42.7 (MM 244.7): Marseilles Lock
TM 45 (MM 242.5): Heritage Harbor Ottawa

Weather Prediction
Date/Time Check: 10/05/23
Leaving from: Kenosha Joliet @ 7:00 am

Windy (ECMWF):
Wind: 7 mph, gusts to 12 mph, out of the West
Temp: 50 degrees
Waves: NA
Predict Wind (PWG):
Wind: 5 mph, gusts to 21 mph, out of the West
Temp: 50 degrees
Waves: NA

Arrive at: Ottawa @ 5:00 pm
Windy (ECMWF):
Wind: 15 mph, gusts to 34 mph, out of the West
Temp: 53 degrees
Waves: NA
Predict Wind (PWG):
Wind: 17 mph, gusts to 20 mph, out of the NW
Temp: 55 degrees
Waves: NA