Whitsundays: Hamilton Island to… Lost Rudder!

Bret Mulligan

We slipped dock, Hamilton Island Marina, at 1015 (assisted by concierge, using slip on S aft cleat to power into mid-berth). Proceeded under power to N of Hamilton Island and towards Fitzlan Passage. Significant opposing current through Fitzlan Passage 3+ kts! 1100 1/2 nm N of Passage Peak katabatic effects cleared (wind shifted from S to SE and gusts diminished). Raised sails (2nd reef main, 3/4 jib) and came to a close reach @ 085*T, making 6-7 kts! Sailed for 1.3 n, (~15 minutes) under autopilot. Boat suddenly rounded into wind, helm unresponsive. Released main sheet but boat crash tacked. Sent 2 crew below to look for water ingress, while I reduced jib to very small triangle (balance sheeted-out main). During this procedure, boat continued to tack and gybe (only the first gybe was uncontrolled). We were in 15m according to sounder. There had been no sound or evidence of impact before loss of steering. Crewmember later reported seeing a brown (?) triangular object in water astern after loss of steerage. Water in bilge was not rising (and sweet). I rigged emergency tiller, which moved wheels but did not provide steerage. Given this, and that wheel turned with some resistance, suggesting that quadrant and harness were intact. Laying ahull 1 nm SSE of Turtle Bay. I radioed base. Continued to monitor water (running electronic bilge manually). Investigated hull integrity; so so signs of damage or water ingress. No water in engine compartment. Drifted 0.5nm towards Turtle Bay, remaining in radio contact with base. Planned to drop anchor 0.3 nm from shore in 10m water. Base vessel arrived. Alongside tow unsuccessful because of 1.5-2m wave state. Move to bow/stern tow. Attempt to use Tiger Blue’s engine to assist tow made yawing motion worse. Tow untenable because of yawing motion. Rigged small warp rigged to jib sheet winches and attached tender, filled with 5cm water to warp. Tow still untenable. Added 5cm water to tender. Tow possible but with significant yawing that prevented much speed. Tow rope, through bow pulpit experienced chaff and parted off W end of Hamilton Island Cateye Beach. Alongside tow now successful in reduced wave state. Proceeded under alongside tow to Henning Island mooring (blue). Secured boat for evening, transferred belongs to base boat, all crew returned to base on base boat.