An eventful Final Day
Ellatrout3
Wed 30 Jun 2010 13:09
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Sunday 27th June 2010
We had just about cleared the Nantucket at the slow
steady pace of yesterday and as midnight passed the wind stopped dead on the
edge of a prohibited area, Normans Land and the tide drifted us towards the
prohibited shore. I had to stay on watch all night several times only half a
mile off this rocky shore. A frustrating start to the last day. By dawn an
easterly had filled in, only force 1 but at least steady in one direction,
enough for me to risk a little sleep.
What I thought was morning mist did not lift and we
had fog all day. The nearer we got to Newport the more we heard large
engines passing by unseen. The wind went round to the west and I had
to beat to the No 2 buoy at the start of the channel into Newport. About
half a mile from the buoy the chart plotter lost its position and my little boat disappeared off the chart and the
recorded track just stopped. There are two Gps aerials in the system from
which the plotter can get its position and the radio was still
showing the lat/long position so at least one was working. With
visibility about 150 yards I was suddenly lost and had to quickly try to
navigate in the old fashioned way. I hurriedly got out the local chart and
marked our position and shortly after found No. 2 buoy. The course to next
buoy, No. 4 was more or less due north and with a westerly wind I could sail
freely and set course in that direction. While I continued
to frantically sort out the plotter to keep track of my position unbeknown
to me there was a strong east going tide pushing me off course, so much so I
never saw No 4 buoy and I hit the rock it was guarding. It was an
almighty crash, standing in the companion way I was thrown forward hit my
head on the instruments and losing a lens out of my glasses. After
the initial shock, with one eye in focus, I got the engine going, while she
continued to bang and crunch on this rock. From the surface of the
sea I judged where the rock was and managed to drive her off with sail and motor
power. She was still afloat with no apparent serious leak although I knew
damage must have been done. Infuriatingly I notice the chart plotter was
now showing my position with my recorded track starting again from the
rock.
At this point I was totally drained, badly shaken
AND absolutely furious with the plotter letting me down at such a critical
moment. Then out of the fog came Billy Black in his RIB, like a rescuing
angel. He had come looking for me, and when acquainted with situation,
guided me in all the way to Newport harbour feeding me instructions from Newport
Yacht Club about berthing for which I was very grateful. As we approached the
Harbour Master took over leading me in, sounding his siren every few minutes to
draw attention to the little flotilla that was now escorting me. Many willing
hands guided me along side, welcoming me, congratulating me in every hospitable
way. It was a fantastic welcome and all my troubles were forgotten.. (Look; in
this one paragraph I've gone from from being totally deflated to happiness
and elation, the highs and lows of this trip amaze me)
BUT; I could not step off the boat and nobody could
come on the boat until customs had been cleared. What a palaver, the Yacht Club
had notified them of my arrival. But no; - I had to notify them myself.
Norm Bailey, Commodore of The Newport Yacht Club, ( who has been
fantastic throughout and continues to give generous support) provided
the phone and we awaited the arrival of the Customs Officer. He was
charming and once cleared an hour or more later the presentations could
begin.
I actually arrived at Newport Yacht Club about 2.30
in the afternoon and knowing I was close, everybody had been
waiting for my arrival so that Igor, Rory and I could be presented with the town
medal, a magnificent piece and we could all drink champagne and celebrate what I
was beginning to realise was a fantastic achievement. It was a very happy
affair that lasted the rest of the day, by which time I was totally beaten and
took the offer of bed where Theresa was staying.
There is so much more to tell and for those who are
interested I will continue to write as the opportunity presents
Roger/Dad/Poppa
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