Archiv
CW 48 2002
17.11. - 24.11.2002
Actually I'd planned a relaxing day for Sunday, but after a full breakfast,
there's work waiting for me. Yesterday, while entering the bay, still right
between the reefs (just the perfect time), my port side engine broke down.
It had overheated and I had to turn it off. As the generator was also reacting
strange lately, the problem is pretty apparent. Ok, into the denims (actually
I'd rather not, it's much too hot) and off to work. As expected the problem
is quickly found - the cone belt driving the generator and the freshwater
cooling system has disintegrated. I do have a spare with me, but the cone
belt is built in behind the engine. So the whole procedure is hard, sweaty
work and after one hour I look like some demon from hell.
Doesn't matter, the engine is purring again and I jump into the clear, warm
water to get rid of the dirt.
Ok, and in the afternoon a hit the beach for a while and that was it for today.
Monday and Tuesday are spent with various works on the ship (just like a woman
Silver Blue needs a lot of care and attention), walks on the beach and visits
to the main islands. But now I can go on those excursions with my new dinghy;
and with that, I simply fly through the waves, without getting soaking wet.
On Tuesday evening I look up the next days destination and send a few emails.
The Internet connection is in one of the lower cabins and there, through the
open hatchways, I hear voices growing louder and louder.
| I find that somehow strange, so I go upstairs to take a look. What I
see there makes my blood freeze. A huge motor yacht is drifting straight
towards Silver Blue. Three ladies are sitting in the stern, chatting,
and they noticed … nothing!!! I point out to them, that apparently
their anchor isn't holding and immediately they all run to the front together,
to the anchor, just to return right away to let me know, that the captain's
not on board and there's nothing they can do. I ask them to at least move
a few of those large fenders, distributed decoratively over the deck,
between us. Unfortunately my request only results in large eyes and open
mouths. But fortunately the captain returns in just that moment and a
neighbour uses his dinghy as a fender. By now the motor yacht is already
squarely in front of my bow and only the 'hahnepot' (a rope stretched
from bow to bow, supporting the chain) prevents a first contact. In the
meantime the motor yachts captain has started the engines and as soon
as we drift apart a little I signal to him that he can get some distance
between us now. Wow, that was rather close. And most of the time the evenings here are so peaceful … |
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The next morning I set out sailing slowly towards the island Sarqui
and with only the foresail in the wind I'm doing 6 knots. After only 3
hours I reach the island and find an immensely beautiful place for anchoring.
Surrounded by a long drawn out reef - next to which Silver Blue drops
anchor - and a magnificent sand beach, this place offers perfect protection.
Thousands and thousands of tiniest fish are milling around right next to the ship, causing a school of young yellow-finned tuna fish to start a full-blown battue. This impressive spectacle is repeated a few times a day. |
The next day holds a positive surprise; the two other yachts that had been anchoring here with me have disappeared. They had also occupied all space where one could anchor on sand, since this really unique anchoring space is not only surrounded by reefs and the beach, but also by widespread corral banks (on which - of course - one doesn't anchor).
| And now I've got that sand place all to myself and at first I thoroughly
explore the underwater world. Right off the boat I enter a miraculous
world of colors and shapes. I'm especially impressed by an enormous "Drückerfisch";
I've never seen such a large one ever before. I also spend the next day in the water, but this time to clean the underwater ship and the water passage. Five "Kofferfische" watch me all the time, and, despite the unpleasant work I'm doing, their funny swimming motions constantly make me laugh. When I'm back in the dry, i.e. aboard, I get a visitor. Look, even a pelican likes Silver Blue quite well. |
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By now it's Saturday again and the motorboat armada coming from Caracas
is also back, therefore, after a magnificent sunrise, I return to the
main island Gran Roque. Maybe there's something going on here, on a Saturday
evening. The village consists of an assembly of multicolored houses, my
favorite being … (see left) There's nothing much happening here, the prices in the restaurants are totally outrageous and as I decide to end the evening another horrible surprise is awaiting me. This time the petrol hose, from the tank to the engine, is missing from the dinghy (apparently a favorite object to steal from). It's …! Once again I row back to the ship, my mood being at its absolute low. |
Back aboard I first take a good Slovenian fruit Schnapps to calm myself;
and tomorrow I'll find a solution.
On Sunday my solution turn out to be a workable one and after a few conversations
I buy a "different petrol hose", "under the counter",
for US$ 25.-. Oh well, at least I'm mobile again. Now quickly off to see the
coastguard - it's already in the afternoon by now - discuss the whole thing
again, and pick up the ZARPE, the departure permit. I don't want to stay here
any longer, so I sail to the island Crasqui, 6 miles away, and spend the Sunday
evening writing these words.
Tomorrow morning I'll continue towards Los Aves and Bonaire, but - of course
- not without visiting one or the other bay in the "Roques".
You can read all about that next week, if you like.
Until then, take care. And, one more remark on my behalf. Apparently about 8,000 people read this logbook on a regular bases and I'd really love to get some feedback from you. Please mail to KatSilverBlue@les-raisting.de. I'd love to hear from you, but please only send text (no images of your dog or any such nonsense!)
TOM
