Mid Atlantic Sail Drama!

CARANGO AMEL 54 #035
PETER and VICKY FORBES
Thu 26 Jan 2017 12:49
We left St Helena two days ago and have been sailing in light winds with the code Zero headsail up [large genakker type thing]. The wind was gusting up to 18 knots - just about the limit for that sail.

At 04.30 am, pitch dark - no moon  - the block holding the sail at the top of the mast gave way. The sail and kit came crashing down and was swept under the boat.

Arthur and Vicky joined me on watch and we recovered the sail on deck, amongst the usual mass of various control ropes. We were lucky the sail was not torn just the block was shattered. We stored the sail forward and tamed the various flailing ropes without injury or further damage. 

We awaited daylight and contemplated the situation over breakfast. 

We have to average about 6.5 knots to make Arthur’s fight out of Salvador back to London. This is our fastest downwind sail. The only course of action was for one of us to go up the mast mid ocean and replace the block and re-thread the halyard. Crash helmet on and bosun’s chair rigged up I went. Vicky managed the main hoist rope on the big winch and Arthur was in control of operations and followed through on the safety line. At the top of the sixty foot high mast there is considerable and exaggerated motion - swinging around and pitching. 

Block fixed and rope re-threaed, Art said "Hold it - get a photograph!" - I was hanging half way up the mast but they had control so I had no choice. 

Preparation - He’s gone - up there

All well and sailing on 1612 miles to go to Salvador, Brazil.