Not a good start !
Blue Magic
Mark & Chris Dewey
Wed 7 Sep 2016 16:16
Ragusa to Barcelona
Day 1
After being asked by several people why I had stopped my blog, I decided it was time to begin again, recording our adventures aboard Blue Magic.
It hasn't been quite the start we were expecting !
We returned to Ragusa Marina a few days ago and everything went surprisingly to plan ready to leave this morning on route to Barcelona.
New AIS fitted and working, new spray hood and Bimini also fitted in the last couple of days.
Blue Magic is all serviced up to date and looking very smart 'up top'.
However the sun has taken its toll on the hull gel coat so we are planning to have her painted in Barcelona.
We had a steady motor this morning 40 miles along the Sicilian Coast and decided to anchor in the harbour at Licata.
We have a new spade anchor waiting for us in Barcelona but until then we continue with our delta anchor which is temperamental to say the least !
On our second attempt we picked up a mound of mooring ropes which took an hour to release from our anchor.
Whilst manoeuvring for our next attempt we were suddenly engulfed in black smoke.
We stopped the engine immediately and Mark ran down to the engine room to take a look.
My worst fear ran through my mind - we were on fire !
Thankfully there were no flames and we opened all the hatches and kept the engine room extractor running to clear the smoke.
Meanwhile we dropped the anchor again and hoped it would hold.
On inspection a hole in the manifold had blown out water and oily muck under great pressure all over the engine room.
It would need welding and it was impossible to restart the engine.
As luck would have it we were right outside of Marina di Cala del Sol so we radioed for assistance to take us into a berth.
The wind had increased and, although the young man that arrived in a dinghy was very nice, he had no idea of how to address towing us.
To add to that the anchor was now fouled on a cable and the nice young man was rather concerned about getting mud on his hands.
We managed to free ourselves - we have that routine well and truly practised !
However, despite his best efforts the young man made no headway towing us and signalled that he was leaving to go back to the marina for more help.
He promptly let our line go and lit a cigarette.
We were drifting fast towards the rocks - It was time to take charge !
After much shouting and hand waving we secured his dinghy alongside and secured ours the other side with Mark using our outboard.
I remained on the helm to steer us around the harbour and into the marina.
They had arranged an sli side berth, thank goodness, and I was able to come around into the wind to stop alongside.
We were amazed to find there was no help on the quay so I had to lassoo the bollards in order to secure the boat.
The charge for the nice young man was 150 euros plus 90 euros a night !
Mark has now removed the manifold and we are hopeful to get it welded tomorrow.
I was keen to get the mess cleaned up, starting with the ceiling but that led to our next mishap...
I am nursing a very sore eye after getting degreaser in it !
I have irrigated it well with water and hope it will feel better soon.
Mark is a star again - he has all parts removed and ready for repair.
It's a commercial harbour we are optimistic that we can get things fixed speedily.