[p]Fluenta2014
[pos] 60 20.177N 146 32.405W
[sp] 0 kts
[h]000T
[w] Sunny afternoon with light smoke from the forest fires
[s] A short stay at historic Port Etches. Capt Cook anchored here in May 1778. He obtained a few sea otter pelts from the nearby Nuchek village which spread the word about the rich supply of sea otters in Prince Williams Sound leading eventually to the sea otter's near extinction in the area. The Russians opened a trading post at Nuchek in 1783. We had a chance today to go ashore at Nuchek where the Chugach have set up a camp - Nuuciq Spirit Camp - to teach native culture and history. There is still a well cared for Eastern Orthodox church in the village. The caretaker was very welcoming and gave us great tour of the area while talking about the local history and wildlife. Throughout Prince William Sound we have seen sea otters and sea lions but nothing like the density we have seen here. Despite being so much later coming back to Fluenta from Nuchek than planned we drifted for awhile in the rhib to watch and listen to a large pack (pride ?) of sea lions cavort. Much of the time in Prince William Sound we have been the only boat in the anchorage but here we are sharing the anchorage with a 255' tug and a 400' barge that are here on duty to help prevent another Exxon Valdez disaster.
[END]