I’m standing in the middle of the boat. The skies are
weeping all around. I see only water. I’m alone.
Minutes ago, mayhem. After two weeks of sunshine and rum and
laughter, our guests were off to shore to catch a plane. In a squall. A storm
that filled the dinghy to bathtub capacity over and over, that had to be bailed
out over and over, before we could load their luggage, clad in black garbage
bags. A storm that had them heading to shore in swimsuits and rain coats.
The wind whipped up, howled at us and threatened to drag the
boat. We put on the instruments and watched the wind speed, huddled in the
saloon, waiting for a lull in the incessant rain.
And then it hit. There was an earth shattering crack beside
the boat as a rogue lightning bolt was unleashed from above on the bay. We literally
jumped, screamed and exchanged some wide eyed stares. And the thunder rolled
along, and all that was left was the rain.
And we still had to get the guests to shore. So we hugged abruptly
and they climbed out into the wet, whipping waters with JW.
And all the anger of the skies was gone. In it’s place,
devastation, along with that sickly smell of burnt electronics. Shiloh was hit
by lightning again. Like the rain soaking through my t-shirt, it began to sink
in.
9 months ago, almost to the day, we climbed aboard after an
even more vicious storm, to find that smell and all our systems dead. Chart
plotter, wind instruments, depth sounder, autopilot, battery charger/inverter,
TV, VHF radio, FM radio, fridge, freezer, lights, fans… everything that makes
the boat liveable and sail-able!
And when JW returned this time, we winced as we checked each
system. Wind instruments, depth sounder, autopilot, battery charger/inverter,
VHF radio, FM radio, fridge, freezer, solar panel regulator, lights… all dead.
So much of the same! But last year’s strike found us in the
land of plenty. 100 miles of riding blind, without autopilot to a well equipped
boat yard. In a country where there are marine surveyors and replacement
equipment and expertise to install it all.
So different this time. We are well over 500 miles from the
boatyards of Florida, and 170 miles from the only surveyors in the Bahamas – in
Nassau.
And so we face the rotting meat in the freezer and the
prospect of weeks with canned food, no entertainment and blind sailing – not
knowing the wind speed or angle, or what depth we find ourselves in. And the
worst part is the missing autopilot. The concentration and tediousness of
holding the wheel for 6 to 8 hours a day.
And then, enter friends. Real friends. Friends I could not
hope to ask for in this lifetime. Who refuse to let you suffer.
We moved aboard Shiloh 4 years ago. Since then, we’ve met
some of the most remarkable people this world has to offer. People who are
independent but socially adept. People who can fend for themselves but will do
anything for each other in a pinch.
We have been buddy boating with a catamaran called Alley Cat
for nearly three years. We met and clicked and compromised effortlessly. We get
along so well. We sail together, explore together, socialize, commiserate,
laugh, plan, unplan, replan and of course drink rum.
On a day like this I am humbled. Humbled to the core at how
deep their friendship goes. Alan in his dinghy, wearing swimming goggles,
appearing at the edge of the boat in the heart of the storm to help take our
guests ashore.
And then the encouragement later as we sat pouting,
devastated at our predicament. A smile and a genuine promise to help. And help
doesn’t cover it. It’s a weak word to describe what true friendship is.
Hours, scrounging in their bilges for spares and days
crouched in our narrow passages, fixing, trying, making a plan. All for a mere
cup of tea and a heartfelt thank you.
To know you are not alone, to feel a united front in a
storm, to be far from the support systems of the western world with true
friends in tow, is exhilarating.
When I told my dad what happened, he said “If you didn’t
have bad luck you’d have no luck at all.”
But here's the thing about luck...you don't know if it's good or bad until you have some perspective.
I think he’s wrong. I know we are lucky; so lucky to have
found true friends, a privilege many never experience.
So sorry to hear about this. We are in the land of plenty so if there is anything we can help with, obtain or ship let us know.
ReplyDeleteKirk & Donna
Ainulindale
I couldn't believe my eyes while reading you went through the same (shit)storm as 9 months ago. But then the saunshine, in the form of such a wonderful friendship. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo of these crews... of true "salty sailors" !
ReplyDeleteAnd, I remember my two years aft of the mast with my first mate from Miami to Tortola... and back !
boat repairs Auckland
ReplyDeleteVery nice crew photo. Thank you very much for sharing your experience and loved to read this blog. Please keep posting this type of blog.