Richards Bay, South Africa - Updated - Photos

Eowyn
Sun 14 Nov 2010 07:38
 
Éowyn is in the Zululand Yacht Club, Richards Bay, South Africa in position 28:47.506S 032:04.966E
 
The East coast of South Africa is one of the most dangerous and difficult to navigate in the world! This is caused by the combination of the South going Aghulas current up to 6 knots and barometric conditions which often produce a strong South Westerly wind. This combination can create mountainous seas and it is important to approach the coast when the wind is North East to avoid these problems.
 
Our last night was spent with a NE gale but we were relatively comfortable. The Hydrovane did a magnificent job steering us in these conditions. we had to use it because there was a loud creaking from the main rudder and I did not want to put it under strain until I had seen and felt the bearings.
 
However at 0140 on the 9th, when the gale had subsided and the seas were relatively calm, we were hit by a single rogue wave which knocked us over to about 70 degrees from the vertical. Mike was on watch and was dazed and might even have been knocked out for a couple of minutes. The yacht was a mess below but no serious damage was sustained. after that we sailed very cautiously but there was no reoccurrence. Five miles away from use, Chessie, with Eline on watch was turned through 180 degrees by the same wave.
 
We arrived in style in Richards bay with a Police escort to the yacht club where a very welcome bottle of bubbly was presented by  the commodore of the Zululand Yacht Club. The facilities here are excellent and our hosts made us feel that this was our home. Thank you Zululand!!
   
Police Escort to the Zululand Yacht Club Pontoons
 
    
Mike & Andrei Enjoy the Conversation and the dancing
 
There was the usual WARC party where we were treated to a display of Zulu dancing and encouraged to join in the sh*t spitting competition (don't ask!)
Oisin Wins the Spitting Competition
 
Once we had got established and some much needed sleep, we made some minor repairs and booked a safari to the Umfolozi game reserve. a great day was had by all, with sightings of elephant, rhino, giraffe, warthog, baboons etc
   
 
   
 
 
Our departure from here is totally dictated by weather windows. we hope to leave for Durban today,the 14th and then to Port Elizabeth on Wednesday, helped Southwards by the Aghulas current. Our aim is to arrive in Cape Town by the 23rd so we can be hauled out for some work before flying back to the UK on the 3rd December.