Ellen Macarthur Trust

Deisel Bugs

Day 12, Monday 21st December 2009
 
Well, there's good news and bad news; the good news is that we have found the fault with the engines - it's DIESEL BUG (a micro-organism which grows in diesel when there is water in the fuel). Local engineer Ceasar, www.boatcv.com, has spent nearly 5 hours in the starboard engine room completely stripping the fuel system and emptying the tanks which are full of a black sludgy slime which has effected the entire fuel system - it must be 40 degrees plus down there. Thank you to my wonderful friend Verena in the UK who, at a moment's notice this morning, acted as translator on the mobile phone between me and Ceasar - thanks Verena (who also happens to be one of Southampton's top sports masseuses' if you are ever in the area and in need) - is there no end to her talents?  According to Ceasar, apparently it's a miracle that we managed to nurse the engines this far - anyhow, problem identified and just about rectified..., in the starboard engine at least!  You are probably already one step ahead of me at this point. Yep, if there are two engines and one is only just nearing completion today (local CV time here 1600 hrs), there's no way we can rectify the port engine as well and leave tonight. So we must resign ourself and accept that we will be here another night and (hopefully) on our way tomorrow. Yet another delay - welcome to the mad mad world of yachting!  At least we get to enjoy the delights of this great new marina for another day.  The marina is run by a chap called Kai Brossman who, it just so happens, is the local Raymarine dealer and, as I type, he is fixing the problem with the wind vane - what's that old saying about not what you know but who? Thanks Raymarine for calling ahead and giving Kai the "heads-up".
 
It's tempting to feel fed up with progress and I'd be lying if I said I was 100% happy, of course I'm not. But I've been her before and I know that when events are of of your control, like the weather, there is nothing you can do so it is pointless getting too worked up 
 
No sooner had we arrived yesterday than a lady arrived at the boat and introduced herself as Sandy - she used to work with a good friend of mine back in the UK, Peter Sonksen and, unknown to me, Peter had contacted Sandy who lives here on the island to pre-notify her of our arrival. She's also been extremely useful in translating the Portuguese and Creole and giving us an insight into CV life. Before dinner last night we met Sandy and some of her friends at the Club Nautico, aka, the "Yacht Club". I was undecided whether to root out the old blazer and RSnYC club tie but thankfully opted for the jeans and T-shirt ensemble as the Club Nautico, it turns out, is basically the old coal bunker used to store large volumes of coal from the UK during those trading days of the 19th century - it is, how can I say without sounding rude, somewhat "rustic" - but the beer was cold, the meat kebabs perfect and the company entertaining.
 
We do get some news back from home - it appears the UK has been sufferring from early winter weather; sleet, snow, freezing temperatures - it's no consolation if you are one of those people but I am sat here inside ID to hide from the fierce afternoon sun, wearing shorts and tee-shirt with a fan blowing cool air on me to stop me overheating. However, with  the prospect of seeing me in shorts, you might prefer to suffer the cold of Blighty. My wife Elaine and son Tim, plus Digby's wife and daughter, Paula, Frances, fly out to the Caribbean tomorrow, a flight which will take them about eight hours plus the flight up from Antigua to Tortola where we are due to arrive. For our part, we still have some 2,000 miles to go, so I'll be happy to bet they get there before us - they will no doubt have plenty of time to see the sights of the Virgin Islands several times over before we arrive. The forecast for our crossing remains for light winds for the first week at least.  Both Kai & Sandy told us that this is the first year anyone can remember such light winds - normally Christmas time in the CVI's sees guaranteed wind speeds of 25 knots plus (the Trade Winds) - it's ironic isn't it? My trip around the UK in 2007 was blighted by officially the worst weather since records began (too much wind), and now there are no Trade Winds when I need them to sail the Atlantic - as I say in my talks, "challenges are all part of the journey; without them, there would be no challenge".
 
My crew appreciated a good night's sleep last night, plus the ability to use real showers and loos - so they've not mutinied yet.  Digby just got back from a walk into town - I'd asked him to check out the fish market for me to get a feel of what is out there lurking in the depths - he came back with photos of dozens of 4ft long tuna which has really got my fishing juices flowing - can you imagine catching one of the beauties?  Wow. He also returned with a frozen chicken so that is Christmas lunch sorted. Right, the sun is now over the yard arm - some of you will know what means, and for those who don't, then there's aways Google. Hic.