32:44.50N 16:43.17W
Whisper
Noel Dilly
Sat 3 Nov 2012 10:59
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"Madeira - 3 November"
It is still raining and the wind is continuing to
blow from the South West. The locals say that this is very unusual weather
for this time of the year as it has now rained on and off for three days with
the whole of the island shrouded in cloud. Some stranded mariners who have
been out in hired cars have found roads closed due to land slips and rock
falls. Our adventures have been curtailed to short car trips to the local
hardware store for stainless nuts and bolts.
In between heavy showers the boys (Mick, Tony and
Noel) with their skills have amazingly managed to completely repair
the roller furling gear and the local shipyard were able to re-fabricate the two
stainless steel strops which were twisted. It involved them straightening
out one of the damaged strops so that it could be measured and the
critical holes drilled in the right position. These were delivered late
afternoon yesterday and the boys are fitting them at the moment. Noel was
hoisted up the mast to check the head of the foil which is undamaged and was
returned safely onto the deck. Mick has completely serviced the
rollers with only one of the tiny ball bearings missing, this one had escaped to
the sea when being initially dismantled. In the meantime, 4 days since being
ordered, our 48 hour Express Delivery of a new furling drum
is somewhere between here and Lisbon!
During the running repairs worked on Whisper
yesterday, Mick and another yachtsman here, who Mick knows from his Naval days
(it is a very small world), were able to help a young French family with three
children under 5 years. They had sailed from Portugal heading for the Canaries
when they lost steerage and engine power. Fortunately, a tanker was
able to take them in tow, but a 12 knot tow must have been a harrowing
experience for the young father and they were exhausted on their arrival
here. People rallied round looking after the children and helping in
anyway they could. Mick and Geoff were able to help with the engine
and electrics. It seems that they have a bug in their fuel tank and
blocked injectors, so once the shipyard have washed out the tank and
refilled it with fresh fuel and the injectors have been cleaned, they
should be on their way again.
Photo: "The 'A' Team With Repaired Roller
Furling Drum"
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