Thunder crash at 0230! Oh no!
Shelena
Phil Scourfield
Thu 30 Jun 2016 02:29
29th June, 2016
Beaufort North Carolina is a sleepy place. So it was, fast asleep at 0230 when an almighty thunder crash awakened me. Only momentarily, before slumbers took control after that rude interruption! Awake at a more civilised time; err 0830, and I see that our control panel that usually glows with life, was as dark and lifeless as can be. No electric power; in a marina? We had been hit by lightening!
As the day rolled by so the damage revealed itself. First of all our AIS that was replaced 2 weeks ago was blown. The yacht computer ditto. The instruments were not working either. The VHF radio dead. Even the TV dead. No internet. Not good. Not good at all.
Sounds like an insurance claim. Lucky insurer with whom we started a new policy just 2 weeks ago. However, the practical reality is that we are now stuck here in Beaufort for an indeterminate time. 4th July is Independence Day, so little will be achieved in the next week. Not only will much of the yachts electrons need to be replaced but the yacht will need to be lifted to check that the massive lightening current has not damaged any of the through the hull fittings. If these are damaged they too will need to be replaced. In short, we have now a significant delay. A tough life sailing. Never boring. Always events are unexpected, so best to plan nothing in advance that only creates additional pressure. At least we were not fried alive in our beds! To be continued....
Regards,
Philip