Snake on a Boat

Gale conditions are what most mariners try to avoid.  A gale is defined as winds over 34 knots. Given a choice between a gale and having a a snake on board, I would take the gale without hesitation.

We have been in gale conditions and I know Sila will be fine. I have doubts and fears but they are mostly rational and totally manageable. When it comes to snakes, the hair on my neck goes up, my pulse races, and I get the heebie-geebies and shiver in angst.

Yesterday as we plowed through our pre-passage checklist, I went to clear out some of the flotsam that had collected in the starboard cockpit coaming storage. Imagine my surprise, more akin to shear terror, as I pulled out a plastic bag and with it came a cute little 18" snake! Initially it appeared to be an 18 foot monster but we downgraded the total length after the immediate surprise (and scream).

After I pushed it overboard with a broom, the snake swam away- mostly underwater.  A few minutes later, it returned to explore the stern of Sila and evaluate the transom for an ascent.  This was not unlike the horror movie scene when the presumed dead guy appears again to try to kill the main character. This was not popular behavior with the crew of Sila.

Determined, the snake moved forward and yup... started up the mooring lines to the bow! This behavior was even less appreciated by the crew of Sila.

We swept it off again into the water and sensing our inhospitable attitude, the snake moved onwards and we set Porter to snake patrol. He watched carefully with the binoculars until he saw it ascend another boat's mooring line in search of peace and quiet. As you might imagine, other members of the Sila crew (Jack and Molly), confirmed Porter's assessment of the situation.

So today we will cast off and leave the snake infested waters of Panama City (actually we have had a fantastic time in Panama and Panama City, and when Molly talked to the yacht club people about the snake, they were surprised that it was here where there is a fairly consistent strong current). We are now bound for the Galapagos Islands. It looks to be a very low wind passage to start and we will likely have to motor for a day or two to get to wind.  The second half of the passage should be fine, and I hope it will all be snake-free. - Christopher