Jenny Yeates

The first day at sea in over a month, so welcome after a month stuck in the marina. Sailing into light winds with a badly fouled bottom meant slow progress but we were under sail and therefore very happy. Easterly wind F 3 at best gave calm conditions but cloud cover kept the temperature moderate.

An interesting day! Setting off in flat calm conditions, motoring through beautiful scenery, until CRUNCH! 34m on the echo sounder, nothing on the chart but a clear warning of uncharted pinnacles. Well guess what? Yes, we found one of the uncharted pinnacles and stopped dead from 6½ Kts. Sternboard away from the hazard. Once clear stop engines and check for damage. Two crew members injured. Chris Kinsman at the wheel, flung forward and cracked his nose on the plotter causing considerable blood loss. He also bent his thumb back on the wheel causing further pain. Libby Norris, facing aft in the companionway, was flung backwards onto the deck in the saloon, banging her head and injuring her neck. A quick dive revealed damage to the forefoot of the keel, ripping back the GRP casing to reveal the iron core. Ensuing phone calls identified hauling out facilities at Nawi Marina, SavuSavu, which was out following destination anyway. Not wishing to negotiate reefs and arrive in the dark, we continued the intended passage to Makongai to anchor overnight before proceeding on. No telephone or internet connectivity at the anchorage so nothing further achieved that day. Injured parties tended to as best as possible and early supper / early to bed offered rest needed by all.

A frustrating motor/sail into wind for half the passage, the wind not veering as forecast. Nevertheless, the second half was a pleasant starboard tack beat in a Force 4 with an average speed over 7 kts. The main engine fan belt started slipping early in the passage so the motor sail was done at under 1000 rpm but achieved about 5.5 kts. Several reefs to negotiate, only a coupe of which were visible with breaking waves. Intended anchorage was open to an unexpected swell from the west, so we moved slightly south through the passage between islands and had a comfortable night of Mantaray Resort.