Happy New Year indeed.  This summarises the situation:  The generator won’t run because the main filter is clogged up and we have no  further spares which implies that the fuel is contaminated.  Attempts at by passing the main filter failed.  The engine is running 1 hour in 3 to attempt to charge the batteries sufficiently to keep the main systems going particularly autopilot, instruments and nav lights. We probably have enough fuel to keep on this schedule and enough spare engine filters to keep us going.  However, there seems to be a problem with the engine starter battery not charging and we have to switch to the main batteries to get it going. (Bob is still suspicious that the freezer or similar is wired to the starter battery and draining it).  Consequences are that we might go to start the engine but find that we have insufficient juice in either the starter battery or the regular batteries in which case we are stuffed (a well known nautical term).  We may have to resort to being towed in to English Harbour by Haley and Fleur, wearing flippers of course.

You can’t keep a good man down and Bob has a new cunning plan where he is going to attempt to introduce the spare fuel cans to Gerry, bypassing the main filter, in the hope that they are compatible. As first mate I am not that excited at spending this glorious afternoon clutching at cans but anything to make him happy.

Sigh. Why ever did I let him watch Apollo 13?  He is definitely now reliving the bit where they have to cut out as many systems as possible to cut power usage but without the whole set up at Houston to assist, although I guess that the blog readers count as back up crew.

Haley’s birthday tomorrow so off to bake a cake but it is a surprise so don‘t tell her.