Hard going
'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Sat 26 Oct 2013 13:15
Anchored at 1400 26/10/13
Got here faster than I thought and found Calypso at anchor. I went
over and had a chat with Paul about the technical problems. He thought
maybe something around the prop? Trouters was bouncing around a bit so
I asked him to monitor whilst I dived and had a look. He came back
over with me, bringing his diving gear and said he might as well take
a look as he was here. I didn't refuse but went into the water with
him. It wasn't obvious but he eventually found the remains of a net
and plastic bag wrapped around the prop shaft and removed same. I
started the engine and engaged gear whilst Paul watched from a safe
distance underwater. We definitely had thrust!
I went over to Calypso for a drink and route chat. It became apparent
that maybe Trouters would go aground with the falling tide but as we
spoke the wind shifted and she seemed to swing into deeper water.
Wrong decision to leave well alone but more in a moment! The technical
problem had been revs in neutral but no revs in gear. Not the same
problem as before although I had checked the transmission oil and it
was milky. I'd done a partial oil change en route. Partial because my
cheap plastic oil extractor pump went to meet its ancestors halfway
through the operation. After some thought and an attempt to siphon the
fluid out I resorted to using a syringe I'd brought for topping up the
steering oil. It took time and I didn't get that much out. I topped up
with SAE 40 but it made no difference.
So, after supper I returned to Trouters with Paul's oil extractor pump
although we both thought that the symptoms probably meant that
removing the netting would have done the trick. Getting back on board
Trouters she was fairly gently bottoming. I started the engine but
couldn't get any revs so here I sit, on rock so not too comfortable
but touch wood right now on an even keel and no pounding. I should be
well afloat by midnight when I'll move and re-anchor although the
water gets deep quickly. We aim to leave again at 0530. In the
meantime I've done a messy job of a transmission oil change and am
hoping against hope that actually I will get some revs in the morning.
The trip to Denga Bay is 37nm although the shipping lanes are only a
couple of miles wide at this point. I then turn hard left and parallel
the Singapore Port limit before turning hard right into the channel
between Singapore and JB. I was rather surprised that I got here so
quickly today so am hoping for favourable currents tomorrow. It will
be a tense time crossing the lanes if I can only get tickover rpm in
gear though. In the mornings here there is not much wind!
--
Current cell no (Indonesia 0813 13 959696
http://www.peterbernfeld.com
http://blog.mailasail.com/troutbridge
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