Story - Discovery replenishment at sea
Kalandia Web Diary
Bill Peach
Wed 25 Nov 2009 09:00
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On the 24th a call via SSB
and VHF from Tillymint (Discovery 67) was heard requesting a spare impeller
for an ONAN generator. Kalandia (Discovery
55) and Jasmina responded but because of the distance arranging a rendezvous
with Jasmina would have been difficult. Looking at distances and
positions it made more sense for us to provide it.
A rendezvous position of 23 15N and 23 00 W was
arranged so as to be in daylight. We both arrived at the rendezvous point
at the same time without having to make significant changes to our speed. A
moderate sea was running so to transfer the part to Tillymint had to be planned
so that we did not pass too closely.
From Kalandia we trailed 2 buoys on a 100m line.
Attached to the end buoy was the part, carefully wrapped up and tied on. We
reduced speed as much as we could, whilst still under very reduced sail to about
3.5 knots. Dropping a section of the sprayhood also helped. Tillymint used
engines to manoeuvre onto a parallel course and pick up the end buoy with a boat
hook. Once on board the line holding the package was cut and the part retrieved,
then Tillymint veeredaway to avoid the line coming near the propeller.
The whole transfer went very smoothly. Tillymint
picked up the buoy first time. For Tillymint the job continues and we
hope she is up and running smoothly.
Bill
My watch last night was a bit more exciting.
First a largish ship had to be kept an eye on as it passed to our stern at only
2.7 nautical miles away. In the ocean that is close. But not as
close as some twat (sorry that is the only word for it), another yacht which was
going on a parrallel course to our starboard. All fine except his light
suddenly became very big and it was obvious he was closing fast. He did
not answer my VHF call and I had to wake Richard who was on standby as I did
feel a bit of panic. Why in the whole of the Atlantic he decided to cross our
path at a distance of a few hundred feet I do not know. In the end he had
to pass sharply to our stern. There was much flashing of torches. I
would have flashed some fingers but it was dark. And then there was the
contact with Tillymint to be maintained to determine ETA. So last night
passed very quickly.
Liz
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