3 wordz you don't want to here on a yot!
5 meter swells, No propulsion, No anchor and a bloody big reef system!
The no anchor bit iz sort of true, I had a brand new 60lb anchor and 50 meters of brand new chain. Just No anchor winch to retrieve the anchor. If I decide to drop it in the water thatz 25 meters deep.
Thyme to make the call!
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY...
The yot iz drifting at 1.8 knots North by North East heading rite for the Ningaloo Reef, upcoming disaster!
Itz not the yot breaking up on the reef thatz got me in a twist but the possible ramificationz of said grounding, just 1 of the 2 beanbags splitting would create an ecological nightmare. Turtles Dolphins and manta rays all feeding on bean bag beanz. Imagine the clean up bill!
The cause of all this mayhem 200 litres of fuel from my forward tank, it managed to add water to both fuel tanks. Shutting the first motor down as I passed North West Cape, No drama just run on the Stb motor until Tantabiddi. That waz until the Stb motor went out just 3/4 mile from Tantabiddi entrance.
Now the yot iz drifting 2ward the reef and limited wayz of stopping it.
Radio for help then try to restart the motors No joy! Lotz of replyz on the radio so I knew we were safe! Now itz just a matter of saving the yot!
Abandon Ship !!!
48 hours later and we still have a yot!
The anchor and chain held the yot just 200 meters from the back of the reef. Next morning No Sleep! We hired a trailer boat from Exmouth and headed towards the Tantabiddi Ramp. The swell had dropped from 5 to 2.5 meters. I could see a mast from the shore but didn't relax until we were tied up to the side of the yot. With Alex and Wendy plus myself aboard we were able to retrieve the anchor after Wendy dove on the anchor and freed it up from the coral.
Lessonz learnt, First up is a water trap on the bulk fuel tank and second is a lifejacket for Sue. Also needed is a plan for abandoning the yot, what to take and what to leave.
Itz just 2 weex until Hanni and the boys arrive for a week long trip to the islands, Hanni will also be bringing the rebuilt anchor winch and also the refurbished Powerdive unit. This means we'll be able to visit the dive moorings near South Muiron island as well as fish Purple Patches again.
