Farewell
17 May 2009 | From Whangarei. Weather = sunny and warm
Mike
Farewell Elusive
On May 17th two friends from Seattle unexpectedly passed the keys of their boat to Neptune as they were forced to abandon ship in Mid Pacific when their J 44 unexpectedly sank while on passage from New Zealand to Fiji.
Two boats, both with mutual friends aboard, were close enough to effect a rapid rescue. Scarlett O'Hara was soon tied alongside Elusive in a frantic effort to stem the tide - to no avail. Finally, the source of the leak still unidentified and the pumps falling farther and farther behind, Elusive sank.
Good with the bad: The seas weren't rough, several boats were close along the same route, it was daylight and everyone was monitoring the Pacific Seafarer's Net at the moment they called the Mayday. If your boat has to sink, this is the way you want it to play out. It was ugly but it could have been much, much worse. Everyone gets to go home this time.
They (three) are safe aboard Scarlett O'Hara and continuing the passage to Fiji. As we contemplate the same voyage, we wish them well and hope they continue their adventures. We'll all miss them out here in the Pacific, but just as surely know our paths will all cross again some day. Until then, luck be on you. Viaje bien amigos.
Mike & Liz
"Fair Isle at Sea-thy lovely name,
Soft in my ear like music came.
That Sea I loved, and once or twice,
I touched at isles of Paradise."
RLS