Brixham to Bridport

© 2008 - Miss Moneypenny J and K All rights reserved.

J was once again solo sailing as Kat had to work- isn't it a shame how work gets in the way so often! We checked and rechecked the engine mount and then he set off at 12.40

The weather was fairly calm and, although not sunny, it least it wasn't raining. He saw HMS Ocean with all her helicopters buzzing around like flies annoying a horse.

He did really well for 4 hours and then.... the engine broke again. It didnt fall off it's mount or anything, but the alternator packed up. He wanted to motorsail all day to ensure he reached the harbour before dark- I think mooring in the dark in Clovelly had put him off for life! However, the engine had other ideas and packed up.

The problem was, he needed to get down into the engine bay and work on it..... while keeping a look out for the big ships which occassionally came steaming by! There's a lot to be said for two heads.
He had just taken the engine to pieces and loosened the sails so he was drifting along and couldn't run off anywhere he didnt want to. He stuck his head up for a quick look around and there was a massive container ship heading straight for him. Uh oh!
After watching it for 30 seconds, he realised it was going to pass down the starboard side, which was a good thing as he obviously wouldn't have been able to move out of its way!

He eventually got the engine to play nicely and arrived in Bridport at 1920 where Kat met him. The harbour master had assured her that the water at the visitor's berth was deep enough for a 2m draft (we always exaggerate for harbours) and so that's what we did. There was no official there at half seven in the evening, so we settled down and went to sleep.

At about half one in the morning, a gentle tapping woke Kat up. After trying to figure out what on earth it was, she woke up Jay. It was while we were listening that the most horrific shudder went through the boat. We were on the rocks.
We both rushed outside- we hadn't drifted or come away from the pontoon. We then saw the huge boulders positioned along the side of the harbour wall to make it look pretty. Obviously, these went underneath the boat and was now scraping on her hull.
For three hours, we held the boat as steady as we could so she wouldn't smash into the rocks with each wave. We tried to balance her on one keel- this is 15 tonnes of concrete! But we did make it easier. It was freezing cold and we were both exhausted. Kat had to work the next day (well, in about 2 hours actually) and Jay was supposed to be going to a meeting of his own.
The minutes moved so slowly and each new noise just sounded horrible. And there was absolutely nothing we could do. We periodically checked the bilges for damage or leaks. Luckily, there was nothing. Eventually, the tide came oh so slowly back in and she floated free again.
We both hope never ever to experience anything like that again- it was horrendous.