Further update on events described below ..
I talked to my dad this morning. Newspaper story is inaccurate. They had sustained winds in 50 knot range and gusts of 85-90 knots. As they were approaching Cape Town they struggled to reduce sail. They lost their power to furl headsail a few months ago and have been doing it manually. The mechanism they use to do it manually failed on Saturday and so they had to drop headsail completely, with concurrent chaos on foredeck and Jared and their quite capable mate (whose name I just forgot) tied in and getting beaten around. With that done, they turned to mainsail, which in theory is also auto-furling. It jammed on way down. And something also broke on mizzen mast. So they were 0-3 and ended up with both mainsail and mizzensail up.
They tried to power their way into Cape Town but literally could not make constant headway on engine. After a few hours thrashing around trying to do this the rescue squad that had taken Chessie in asked if they wanted help. My dad, naturally, asked how much it would cost. When told it was free, they delightedly took the tow, which apparently was quite hairy as was in dark, in storm. Not entirely clear what his plan was had he decided the help was too expensive. Insert your own ethnic comment here around his cheapness and stubbornness.
In any case, they have now gotten some sleep and are assessing damage. Lots of bumps and bruises but nothing too serious to crew. Hopefully same with boat, though lots of water sloshed around in cabin. My mom was apparently responsible for sending Coast Guard out to help Chessie as she got a cell phone call from them and pounded on doors at marina until she found someone that could help.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Cape Town but Problems
Sunday, December 12th
Travis here. Heard confusing story from my mom by email today. Details a little confusing. But article below describes some chaos for SV Brown Eyed Girl and another sailboat trying to enter Cape Town yesterday. I think SV BEG might also have ultimately needed a tow in as well. My mom reports damage to rigging and sails and fair amount of water in cabin. My dad hurt wrist and reports through my mom that they had gusts at 95 knots. He is now sleeping it off. Further details when I get them -- hope to speak to them tomorrow.
link to newspaper; go to Sunday 12/12 edition
Travis here. Heard confusing story from my mom by email today. Details a little confusing. But article below describes some chaos for SV Brown Eyed Girl and another sailboat trying to enter Cape Town yesterday. I think SV BEG might also have ultimately needed a tow in as well. My mom reports damage to rigging and sails and fair amount of water in cabin. My dad hurt wrist and reports through my mom that they had gusts at 95 knots. He is now sleeping it off. Further details when I get them -- hope to speak to them tomorrow.
link to newspaper; go to Sunday 12/12 edition
Difficulties in Cape Town
Stricken racing yacht rescued
THE HOWLING south-easter hampered NSRI efforts to help a crippled German yacht into Hout Bay harbour yesterday.
The twin-masted ketch, Chessie, had been taking part in the 2010 Arc Around the World Rally when it lost its rudder about two miles out of Hout Bay yesterday.
NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said Chessie’s skipper, Joachim Doehne, had sent out an alert. Local yacht Brown Eyed Girl went out to guide Chessie in, but when the yacht lost its steering they called the NSRI for help.
Hout Bay station commander Brad Geyser, who was at the scene last night, said the weather conditions were “absolutely foul. The wind is really bad. We’re looking at 35 to 40 knots.”
At the time of going to press the yacht was being escorted into Hout Bay by Brown Eyed Girl and the NSRI.
The Weather Office says the wind will moderate tonight, but is expected to pick up again on Tuesday.
“The low pressure will cause foggy conditions along the West Coast on Monday.”
Meteorologist Stella Nake said a strong ridge of high pressure was responsible for the “deep south-easter” experienced around the Peninsula yesterday and today.
“Typically this is the time when the ‘tablecloth’ appears on Table Mountain.”
Yesterday afternoon wind speeds peaked at 60km/h at Cape Town International Airport.
Satellite weather watcher Jean-Pierre Arabonis, of Ocean Satellite Imaging Systems, said although the seas were rough, only small fishing vessels would have a hard time.
“It’s still a nasty piece of wind,” he said.
Disaster Risk Management’s Wilfred Solomons-Johannes said there had been no reported incidents related to the high wind.
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