Lows and highs

Rhumbrunner
Fri 3 Feb 2017 10:18
We've had a rocky 24hours. Our anchor got jammed under a rock 15m down, while the chain wrapped around another rock. As we lifted the chain to 20m out, those jams became obvious, with the F5 wind and big swell rocking us around on a taught & short anchor chain. The windlass couldn't hold the load and released a bunch of chain as the clutch let go. The chain knotted and jammed tight in the hawse pipe (feeding pipe between anchor chain locker and the bow deck). Now we are stuck on a tight anchor chain getting tossed about by wind and swell, can't bring it up, cant drop it down. Chris snorkeled out initially, but realized to get down and attach a tripping line he would need scuba gear on. Thank god he knows how. He attached the tripping line and Stuart and I (Niall) were able to haul free the anchor then use the windlass to lift it. That was all good, but Antonello got hurt when a rope snapped and caught his knee. He is fine but bruised. Lucky he is a tough guy. Currently, the chain is still jammed in the hawse pipe and we have 25mtrs of chain on deck. What an afternoon.

So without being sure of Antonello's internal condition we requested a mooring bouy for the night to stay close to the hospital, just in case. We also had some time to sort the boat out and think about how to get the chain free.

We were up at 7 and with Antonello feeling much better, we decided to slip lines and head north.

We are thinking of all sorts of ingenious ways to pull down or knock down the knotted anchor chain, without any luck so far. There is another anchor and chain on board to use in such emergencies; or we just go to the Cape Verde marina and tie up.

The highs of the day also started early. As we were up and sailing early, so we were fishing early. We soon caught a 1.1m dorado. Antonello did a fine job cleaning and filleting it down to 4 meals worth. An hour later and a yellowfin tuna is on a line. Chris fillets this one down to 2 meals.

A couple of hours after it was caught, I made dorado ceviche for lunch, unusual and delicious. We also had dorado for supper. Thank god for the freezer.

Heading NE with a F4 behind us, goosewinged without the mizzen. Settling in for a long hot sail.

Current Position 01/02/17 19.45 UT 06:53.18S 015:11.95W

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