Breezy on the reef in Fiji, survives to sail another day

[mike hunter]

Quick summation on my last passage from W. samoa to Fiji-by far my shortest trip this year but it was the toughest. I got hit by a low leaving samoa, there seems to have been a few in a row-6 days of 30-40 knots, very unsettled. The first 500 miles were supposed to be my rest before navigating through Fiji, but I literally almost never slept. Hard on the wind for two of the days and then it just got stronger. Then upon entering the koro Sea, I encountered fluky winds of much less power-this also kept me from sleeping-not one decent day of sailing the whole time. On the last night I stayed up until 3 getting through a pass between a small island and reef and then it was a straight shot to Suva. I fell asleep against good judgement-I couldn't even function well at this point. Next thing I knew I woke up hearing breaking water. A 12 foot wave broke on the stern as I rushed outside, with such force it shattered the solar panel, bent the stanchion and pulled part of it out of the deck, filled the cockpit, threw me and tons of water into the cabin. I jumped out to tack but it was no use, as we swung around the keel hit and my heart sank. we were in 6 inches of water over a jagged reef. On one side was large and powerful waves on the other about 2 miles of shallow reef. I couldn't get Suva to motivate a salvage operation for Breezy by the high tide later that day. I worried she wouldn't last another tide cycle. I put a bow anchor out through huge surf using the anchor to hold me under the shallow but huge waves. Some local guys (young 16-27 years old) showed up and then more. Long story short, once high tide hit we navigated away from the breakers in shallow reef-Just deep enough-about 10 Fijians with snorkels navigated ahead to find the deepest route, though breezy was pounding on rocks constantly-I really thought she was stuck for good for while, but as I steared with the engine these gus pushed and pulled the boat, they never gave up, until we were in deeper inner reef waters. They gave me a general route out of the reef(a couple miles) and they had to go home-they were totally amped for me and our accomplishment. Once I carefully navigated through the reef into the open sea, 9 hours after being pounded, I couldn't believe it-When I first took stock of the conditions when I was put on the reef, I knew I would do everything I could to correct a problem I had mistakenly created, but I truly did not believe Breezy would ever sail again. It really is amazing because there is no way she could have been towed out, the waves were huge. So, with more challenges ahead and more mounting behind us, me and Breezy are moving on...by the skin of our teeth. One question for everyone-I am a bit worried about the rudder-I'm hauling her out in lautoka in a week or so-what do I look for and what can I do to re-fit the rudder if I'm worried about it. It seems fine, with no play, but the rudder is something I would like to fix preemptively rather than when it breaks. Thanks and happy sailling-By the way the 25D is tough as nails, Breezy got worked on that reef and is still intact.

[Didereaux]

Don't know about you, but I would be figuring out a way to get a 'care' package back to that island...money, marbles, chalk, Domino's Pizza, whatever. You quite literally owe your entire remaining voyage to those young guys out there on that island.


BTW what is the name of the island? Any names of persons? Perhaps the Dory owners collectively could send a token or too of thanks?

[s.v. LaVida]

Mike,

Quite a story. As a CD'er whose been aground a few times himself, you are indeed a lucky man and blessed with the ability of those young men.

Mike
s.v.LaVida
CD33

[Joe Myerson]

Mike,

What a story! Thanks for keeping us informed of your progress in Breezy.

We're all pulling for you. When you get a chance, it would be great if you could let us know what you did to beefup your 25D and equip her for this circumnavigation.

Best of luck for smoother sailing!

--Joe Myerson

[rtbates]

That must have been very frightening. Glad to hear that you and Breezy mad it though intact. Your karma is obviously very very good.

Best of luck and keep us posted

randy 25D Seraph #161

[paul marti]

Mike, I'm really glad to hear you made it off Suva Reef, you are indeed a lucky man. Those reefs don't let many boats out of their jaws once they are in. I speak from experience. When I saw your posting my heart sank. Back in 1988 I was sailing Keema a CD31 on an intended circumnavigattion. My wife and I had just passed our half way point, on the passage from American Samoa to Suva. We were anxious to get in to meet friends flying in from the States, consequuently I made an error in judgement. We were using traced charts that warned of possible inconsistencies. It was just after dusk and we were in our 8th day of a great passage. We had rounded the southeasternmost point of Vitu Levu and were staying about five miles off shore making our way up to Suva. With about 2 hours to go I cranked up the engine to top off my batteries. Just before 22:00 hours I went down below to make one last check of my charts, I felt a strange motion and scrambled up the companionway to be greeted by a breaking wave, we were in the surf. I released the main and staysail turned her seaward and gave it full throttle, but the next wave set Keema down with a sickening crunch. We tried to fight our way out but we were hard aground. We also sent out a radio call for assistance, but none came. We spent the night on the reef being pounded. By morning the weather had improved, the tide was out and Keema was on her side in inches of water. The only apparent holing was along her starboard side where she was lacerated by the reef. Betsy and I walked across the reef dragging our hard dinghy. We made it to the lagoon and started rowing, after about an hour a small boat from the naval station picked us up. I immediately set about trying to salvage Keema. Pacific Salvage agreed to attempt the salvage after having gone back out to the reef with me. The next morning at high tide they pulled her off the reef after having placed two large volume pumps in her. All went well at first, but then the pumps crapped out and Keema went down in about 220' of beautiful blue pacific. They marked her with a line and buoy. A second salvage was attempted with divers securing her in a bridle and a crane on a tug/barge lifting her. Alas my luck had run out, while she was in mid air a line snapped and another raked the deck dismasting her. To make a very long story tolerable, when she was finally ashore her mast was destroyed, rudder bent, engine and electronics soaked in salt and much more. I had no insurance(like most long distance cruisers) and could not afford to replace and fix everything. Smelling blood an Aussie who owned the little marine store in Suva gave us $6000 for Keema as she was along with all equipment on board. The cash covered flights home and a beat up old Nova to start over. Good news, I learned never enter an unfamiliar port at night no matter how many people tell you it's not a problem, more good news it took seven years to recoup financially but I now have Willow a CD33 and were looking forward to more new landfalls. So my fellow CDer I'm very happy for you, and good luck along the way. Too bad they didn't make a steel hulled CD, those bumps in the night would be a lot less frghtening. Take care and fair winds, Paul Marti