I ran out of fuel with my sailboat when I learned that the fuel gauge worked fine, it's just takes some experience to realize a triangular cross section shaped 80 gallon tank does not have 40 gallons when it reads 1/2, in fact it, it only has about 20. When it reads 1/4...you're in trouble. I know how to read it now.

My first thought was your anchor. I know places like that are dicey(maybe no room), but a ready to deploy anchor can save you at times, even in a narrow channel with a current running.