Cruise to Furrin Parts - Day 10

We set out, as planned, at 5am local time although in fact we could have been under way a whole hour earlier

We expected it to be fairly rough after the gales and we weren't disappointed! However, it was within our limits and the forecast held out the prospect of things moderating as the day wore on

Our immediate problem was that we needed to make an offing to clear the end of the Nieuwpoort Bank some miles offshore and the wind was not giving us enough angle to sail the course

So we furled the genoa, pinned in the reefed main and motor sailed up towards the mark where we'd be able to get off the wind and hopefully get properly cracking

However, it was not to be

The genoa furling line somehow became detached from the furling drum allowing the full genoa to blow out. That was not good! Trying to re - rig the line to furl the genoa was not an option so I opted for the only other course of action, lowering the sail to the deck and lashing it to the rail.

As we were doing so, things went from bad to worse. The engine suddenly stopped dead and would not restart.

I got the genoa down and out of the way and scrambled back to the cockpit where it quickly became obvious we had something round the prop (it wouldn't be until a little while later we realised what)

Turning back towards Nieuwpoort was a tricky evolution sailing on the reefed main alone but we managed to tack on the second attempt and were bowling along off the wind worryingly quickly!

With a lee shore, a significant cross tide and on the ebb as well, the notion of trying to sail into port was not worthy of even a moments thought. We were safe enough out at sea, it's making contact with hard things like piers and rocks that'll ruin your day

There was no option but to call for assistance.

A Pan Pan call raised Ostend Coastguard and they in turned called out the local commercial SAR RIB / tug.

Not unreasonably, and as we were in no immediate danger, it took an hour or so for the tug to head out to sea during which time we'd sailed to about a mile or so off the pier heads which I was quietly proud to have achieved (this had an unforseen bonus attached as the tow was charged by the hour and we just kept it to the one)

Seeing the tug approach we went to drop the main at which point we discovered the source of our engine woes. There was a good deal less main halyard than there should be. Somehow, the coiled up line had escaped down the side of the sprayhood and ended up under the boat fouling the prop.

Fortunately for later there was just enough left to put a stopper knot in to prevent it disappearing up the mast slot and still get the main down.

The tug "Brandarris" passed us a towing bridle and we were on our way into port. Unfortunately, Jane was sick, the first time anyone has actually been physically ill on board either of our boats, due to the motion under tow (and possibly in reaction to the situation we'd been in)

The tug brought us alongside their pontoon upriver where the crew received our thanks and a small token of our appreciation.



We were in a bit of a mess on deck and after a restorative cuppa we set about a bit of a tidy up

That was followed by unshackling the genoa from the furling foil and reattaching the furling line. It's a mystery how it came adrift in the first place as the shackle war intact with the pin present

With all the shackles moused we wound the line back onto the drum. It was too breezy to attempt to bend the genoa back on

The tug skipper returned from his well earned breakfast and donned his diving gear. He soon had the offending length of rope off the prop



Then came the bill of course! In the UK we're rather spoilt by the wonderful service the RNLI provide for free, even when strictly speaking there is no danger to life. Over here you get a bill for towage. I expected that when I made the radio call for assistance so it came as no suprise

Rik and I then went in search of a new main halyard but the chandlery at VVW nearby is closed on Wednesdays.

A radio call to KYCN, the yacht club on the other side of the river, secured an overnight berth in much closer walking distance to the shops and the other chandlery we'd browsed around during our hike the other day

We motored round and secured alongside, paid the visitors fee (a lot more than VVW which is why we went there for the four night stay) and had some lunch

Jane went for a nap as she was feeling very tired whilst Rik and I set off once again on a rope hunt. This time we were successful, and my wallet was another sixty euros lighter.

On the way back we visited the mini supermarket to replace the small token of appreciation (four bottles of Belgian beer that Rik had bought to take home) and pick up some supplies

Back aboard, after coffee etc, I set about reeving the new halyard up the mast, using the old line as a mousing line. Then I had to whip the eye in the end complete with the snap shackle to attach it to the head board of the main





The rest of the afternoon was spent pottering about tidying up between bouts of not doing a lot!

We'd hoped to light the BBQ on the stern rail and I'd bought some kebabs and burgers for the purpose but the stiff breeze was blowing right across our stern and just would not go away. So we cooked the food in the pan on the stove instead

Finally, after dinner, the breeze dropped to the point where we could bends on the genoa. With that done, the lines at the mast could be sorted out and the mainsail cover put on.

At last, we looked properly ship shape again...



The weather in the morning should be much more pleasant so we're off again at first light

(I'll analyse and discuss the decision making around today when the dust has settled but my current feeling is that I have absolutely no regrets although that's not to say I'd make the same decisions again)