Last night has, without exception, got to be the worst we've ever experienced in our eight years of cruising. One minute the water looked like a mill pond, the next all hell had broken loose and we couldn't even read the instruments in our cockpit.
Winds whipped up the seas to such an extent that we hauled in all sails, blocked up the companionway steps and huddled below with the world bashing and crashing around us. Never known such fury.
The worst part of it all is, we've lost contact with Peter. We last spoke to him just before this hit and all seemed well but have not managed any contact since. When things calmed down a bit at first light, we started looking, calling on the radio every few minutes but, sadly, nothing.
We had drifted over 7nm during the night and figured he would have done something similar so stayed in the area, constantly calling on the VHF. After many hours, we decided to head back up to the rhum line in the hopes that he's back on tract. The hours passed by and still no sign of him.
We continued trying to contact him throughout the day but could find no other vessels to relay messages so got onto SSB's emergency channels. Still no luck. Paul has now sent out emails to friends back in Suva and others trying to establish if his EPIRB has been activated. The replies have returned to indicate that no activation has taken place as yet. We can only hope that that's a good sign.
By mid afternoon, with another system possibly coming through, we had to get out of there. We simply can't put ourselves and our boat at risk through another storm like that again. We're feeling helpless and somewhat ill at the thought of Pete out there in last night's conditions. It can't have been easy.
Sadly, we lost all our snorkelling gear. It was always kept in a canvas bag secured with a bolt rope and three bungy cords but it was obviously ripped off in the high winds. Two shortie wet suits, two masks & snorkels, three pairs of fins (my brand new ones) as well as booties and hoodies. Damn, damn, damn. Didn't need that! However, if you'd experienced those conditions, you'd agree that we got off very lightly.
We're now continuing on to Port Resolution in Vanuatu and are just praying that we find him coming into the bay in a few days time.
Our current position at 2:00 a.m. on Saturday morning is 18 53 8S and 174 24 2E. Please hold thumbs and cross fingers for Troutbridge.
2 comments:
Well! What a story last cpl. nights. Unimaginable. I will check often in hopes Peter shows up. I do hope the arrival at your destination (V...) is enjoyable.
I'm alive and well in New Cal with a very battered boat. I can't access Calypso's boat address for some reason I think they've been told I am OK. A NZ P3 Orion aircraft en route to an exercise spoke to me and tried to contact Calypso.
If anybody reads this and has their addrtess please let them know I'm OK. Night from hell was about right!
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