TANGLED DEPARTURE FROM FIJI
08 September 2010 | SUVA,FIJI
david
well, quite a departure from Fiji.....never needed my energy more on a departure than this one. arrived at the boat and slowly got all ready. approached the mooring in the dinghy to undo one of the little safety lines. unfortunately, through all the turns of 2 weeks there was a very tight knot at the bottom of the buoy where I couldnt get to it. dreading a swim for I have little energy after my week in bed not to mention the murky dirty water etc I tried everything to undo it....no good...finally donned a mask and snorkel and spent the next hour undoing this horrible tangle. meanwhile, engines going and anchor down for I knew that the moment i untangled the mooring the boat would drift away....or probably would.....and I would be in the water not on the boat! well, thats exactly what happened, it parted and I swam like hell for the now drifting boat while the anchor tried to dig in. raced to the back and hopped on, pulled up the anchor and off we went, much less planned than I had wanted. put up the main as I exited. a little later up goes the jib but before I know whats happened big wind hits us and the figure eight knot that holds the jib sheet in its tunnel in place under the boat gave way and now the whole jib sheet is like a whip and unalterably tangled and out of its runner in the front of the boat hopelessly knotted with the jibe preventer. down comes the jib, tackle it to the ground and bungee it. Now I have no jib.....so after a little rest went back up front...famous fiji winds, waves washing over me, untangled the second tangle of the afternoon and now its jury-rigged to a tiny cleat that I am praying will hold the night until I can find calmer seas and more energy.....so all in all just the kind of departure I was hoping not to have....I feel ok but cant afford any relapses. the night is coming and my goal is to simply get through it. Shearwater very fast at 10-11 knots and rough seas. have now turned a little more west so the battering from the breaking seas on my beam has lessened. I bid all a goodnight and wonder if its thats damn whiskey still irritating the gods - hoped they would forget! And I lost my favorite hat!