BRITISH SOLDIER ARC BLOG - DAY 12 (THU 2 DEC)
Britishsoldier
Thu 2 Dec 2010 16:56
DISASTER! At 0330 hours UTC today whilst close reaching in 12 knots of
breeze, the port D2 inner shroud (the metal rod supporting the top section
of the carbon mast) snapped at the uppermost root where it connects to the
top spreader at the apex of the spreader/mast. Fortunately the rig remained
intact and the mast upright. All crew safe and sound.
The skipper spoke to Falmouth Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) by
satphone to inform them of the situation and see whether there were any
passing freighters that could be diverted to our position to offload some
fuel. Falmouth MRCC informed us that there were no warships about and that
there was one freighter (who would have to turn back) approx 31 hours away.
The prospect of transferring 700 litres of diesel at sea didn't bear
thinking about in these rough seas and we had a certain duty not to put
another mariner out of his way for a non urgent situation..
We spoke to a rigging expert who believed we could fashion a jury (temporary
solution) shroud using vectron/halyards etc. That's what we have now done
and it appears to be working well, although currently redundant because
we're on starboard tack. However, there's no guarantee it's going to hold
and so there is an element of risk; the last thing we want to do is damage
the rig further. To this end the skipper has made the difficult decision to
retire from the race and divert to Cape Verdes.
So we're en route to Cape Verdes which is approx 700 miles away. Landfall
is expected Wed am. Yet again we're bashing into 30 knots of southerly
breeze and heading in a roughly eastwards direction. Morale remains high on
board despite the setback.
Weather conditions this year have been unseasonal and we've had some bad
luck...! More to follow tomorrow,
Tim