On 19^th July at 11.05 hrs. we untied our warps from the waterfront at Ayios Eufimia and motored in a light breeze the short distance across Sami bay to the harbour.  We normally moor beam to the ferry quay as it avoids putting an anchor out to be possibly tangled or lifted by passing yachts. The diesel man waved us away as he was keeping the spot for possible ‘superyachts’.  Occasionally we see superyachts in Sami collecting guests or re-fuelling. So we dropped 55 m of anchor and moored stern to the yacht harbour quay. The quandary is always whether to put out enough chain for the afternoon 15-25 knots of wind or keep it short so as not to be tangled.  Tony goes for safety for Tioram and the 55m. Our position was stern to the quay, but also third boat out from a 90 degree return of the quay to our left side.

On the 19^th and 20^th , the daily routine of yachts coming and going without problems continued and so on the 21^st , with a Dutch and Italian yacht either side of us staying we decided to hire a motorbike for the day to explore beautiful Kefalonia.

We had a wonderful time, see photos on the next blogs.

On the late afternoon the wind was increasing to around 15-18knots so we returned to the harbour to check Tioram….. all was fine.

However, to our right/ starboard side, the Italians had also gone out for the day and we were told that their anchor had been ripped out by an arriving or departing yacht and then re dropped close to their bow and over other yachts chains to their right…effectively useless.

A Dutch gentleman, Oscar, on a yacht to our port/ left side had rescued the stern of the Italian yacht from hitting the quay by tying a rope approx. 60 ft long from its bow across our and his boat and across a third boat,  eventually to the concrete quay.  All was secure but the wind was increasing and from the bow.

The Italian group of friends returned. They had anchored well and left the boat secure. The skipper was quite concerned about the stern of the yacht squeezing ever closer to an unforgiving concrete quay.

Tony suggested putting a line from our bow to the quay to our left and another then from our right starboard beam to the  portbeam  midships of the Italian yacht winching it forward a little and preventing it from hitting the concrete.

A while later the gusts reduced and so the conversation turned to, ‘just where is the anchor?’  The Italians, the Brits (us) and the Dutch all had their ideas. The Dutch put us to shame speaking perfect English, I tried a little Spanish to the Italian….why….I’m not sure other than it may be similar ??? The Italian gentleman spoke, some, English. The Dutch gentleman, called Oscar, spoke….. some Italian…… picture the scene!!!!!!

The wind reduced some more.  Oscar decided to put on his diving gear/tank and save the day. Tony went out as ‘support’ team in the dinghy ! The Italians watched from the bow.

Oscar found the anchors on a silty bottom in 6 m of water, un-crossed the chain and anchor and returned. The Italian gentleman then pulled the chain and anchor right back to his bow.  He then joined Tony in the dinghy to pull the anchor and chain out as far as possible into the harbour to re-set it. It was very difficult to get enough distance out as it was very heavy.  The anchor was dropped and the chain pulled up but it was clear that there was very little tension on it, so the Italian boat stayed safely tied to us.

By the late evening the wind dropped to calm and Oscar and Tony suggested that the Italian gentleman could un tie from our boat, leave the quay, recover his un -tensioned anchor and re –drop it, we would wait to take his ropes back on the dock.

A little discussion followed between the crew,hey….. they were relaxed,…. they didn’t see the ‘need’ to go out and re anchor, they were safely tied to us!!!!

If only we could be soo-oo chilled.  In light wind conditions however…… we didn’t insist.

So in true United Nations spirit, the Italian gentleman emerged from his yacht, chilled white wine and glasses in his hands and invited the multinational team to enjoy a glass of wine on the quay as the sunset………….salute/ cincin,  cheers,  proost !!!!

Photos of…………..

·         Ropes to the dock

·         Oscar ( represents the Dutch nation) puts on his diving gear.

·         Oscar dives, Tony (the Brit ), support team.

·         The Italian’s on the Bow.

·         English(Tony) and Italian nations unify in the dinghy to re set the anchor.

Love to all

T and T x x x