by Capt. Desiree
We are all aware of the status of the global economy, and certainly over the years there has been captured the term "Black Monday." So was the situation for the Gone Native on November 10, 2008. We had been anchored outside Las Palmas, Gran Canarias for about two weeks. The day we had been waiting for, the opening day of the ARC (Atlantic Rally Cruise) had finally arrived---our first step to crossing the Atlantic! We were to bring the Gone Native into the marina. We started bringing up the anchor, and Dave turned on the engines. We recently had difficulty with the transmission on the port side, and it was not starting up once again. Our friends Zia were nearby, and Joe offered his assistance with his dinghy. We first went in to get fuel. I hopped off the boat and let the ARC committee know we were coming in. We were directed to the Catamaran section. As Dave was turning into the marina the winds started kicking up to 25 knots. I was awaiting at the dock along with an ARC assistant. The boat was unmaneuverable at that wind speed, fenders unable to prevent the crash into the dock, and neither of us onshore could hold the Gone Native off the dock. Cruuunch into the fiberglass. Now not only did we have a non-functioning engine, but also a fiberglass hull in need of repair. Without a choice, we started to get to work.
Dave started removing the old fiberglass on the outside. All the extra sails, mattresses, and stored items in the forward starboard hull needed to be removed to completely empty the area, as Dave would be repairing and sanding the inside as well. By 4pm Dave completed all he could, since we need to go to the ARC office for our first check-in at 4:30pm. Dave went off to take a shower. As I was evaluating the status of the boat, I looked at the aft (back) line. In the past, we had it chafe to such an extent it ripped in half. My thought was, that is the last thing we need---the line to break and we bang the back of the hull and damage the boat again. I adamantly looked at Wesley at the front of the boat, who was cleaning off Dave's initial fiberglass work. "Wesley, we need to take care of this line, now!" I was walking toward him with such determination, thinking in my mind we just can't have any more issues. The starboard hull was wide open (which it never is), yet my mind was so determined to grab Wesley to help me that I did not perceive the open hatch and walked with my entire weight and fell three feet through air onto solid fiberglass with my left foot. I hopped out immediately thinking, "Oh no, I might have broken my foot, what are we going to do now???" We had already were down one crew member, thus there were only now two adults and three children for the crossing. What were we going to do? I did not shed a tear....I wasjust so concerned about the future of the crossing.
There was no question I needed an x-ray. We went to the local clinic, which confirmed my worst fear. A broken foot, not just one bone, but my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metatarsal. I fell straight down on my flexed foot. I was ready to take my next step, but alas, I stepped into air, crashing into the fiberglass. Looking at my options, we all decided it was best to fly home and receive my surgical care with our known local expert orthopedist, Dr. Robert Mazurek, and naturally, the known Ventura Anesthesiology Medical Group.
Trying to accept this instantaneous change in plans is difficult to describe, but with a stiff upper lip, certainly has provided me a new level of "character development." Life can change in a matter of seconds. However, I can feel fortunate in many ways. It could always be worse. I could have had a tibula/fibula fracture,femur or hip fracture. We were able to interview a Swedish couple, Robin 20 y.o,. and Emma 19 y.o, an enthusiastic and experienced sailing pair, who will be the extra crew making the crossing. I was able to obtain a flight home 24 hours later--Canary Islands-Madrid, Madrid-London, London-Dallas, and Dallas-LAX. Phew! I left 2:50AM on Wednesday the 12th, and was in Los Angeles Wed. by 9pm. The following morning I was in Dr. Mazurek's (Bobby's) office, and by 4pm I was in surgery.
After 5 days off my foot on crutches, my first follow-up revealed perfect alignment of my foot and I am now weight-bearing. Bobby says I will be off crutches in 7-10 days, and able to join Dave on Dec. 16 in St. Lucia to continue the crossing. This event has been quite the experience. I can not express my disappointment unable to make the passage of the "big" pond, but I do take solace that I did "cross" the Atlantic from Gibraltar to the Canaries. I feel so fortunate to have so many of my friends and family support and encourage me, especially when I did finally shed a few tears.
The Gone Native crew will be leaving the Canaries November 23, and I will be following vicariously along with you at:
Check out the "Sailing Twins"
http://www.worldcruising.com/arc/dailylogs.aspx?EIValue1=6238
You'll be hearing from me in St. Lucia---I hear the ARC folks are awaiting there for me as well.