TAHIRA ARC BLOG
D-Day -1 [18-Nov-23]
Location: Gran Canaria - West of Africa
Our last day on shore and some last minute panic buying. Before we head off tomorrow, let's think about risks - what could possibly go wrong...?
NOTE: AVOID THIS BLOG IF RELATED TO ANY MEMBER OF THE CREW :)
As with any challenge, we will hope for the best but plan for the worst, and it is best to identify and mitigate risks ahead of time!
- Keel coming off: almost impossible as Tahira has it built in - she is a solid ocean going vessel that was built for the kind of sailing we will be doing!
- Sail tears: possible due to a sudden gust of wind, but unlikely as our sails are robust and new. We can also repair sails, and we have many combinations of how we can sail so even if we lost one it would not be an issue.
- Stays break and mast comes down: the stays are the cables that hold the mast up and it is not a good thing if the mast comes down as we will not be able to sail on without a lot of effort. But Tahira has 5 stays on either side of the mast
so is as solid as can be for a 42 footer.
- Team disfunctional: hmmm... 6 tired and opinionated individuals living in a room 42 feet long and 10 feet wide for 21 days. What are the chances of that happening? :)
- Boat knockdown: this is where a sudden gust of wind or a squall hits the boat unexpectedly and knocks it over on its side. This can be very unpleasant, but lasts only a short time, and when on deck we will be strapped on at all times - so
we might get a little wet and bruised but heopfully nothing more.
- Engine failure: we have a relatively new engine that has been well maintained and serviced, but if engine loss happens then the main challenge is a loss of power. We do not need the engine to sail, but we will use it to power the desalination
plant, comms equipment and freezer. But we do have alternative sources of power from the wind and solar panels - so again we have a back up plan.
- Injury: this is unlikely but a distinct possibility, particularly in rough weather. We have a full medical kit on board and two members of the team have been trained as medics with full access to everything we might need from morphine to
anti-biotics.
- Sea sickness: probably the most likely issue, but ultimately not life threatening, and can largely be averted with the proactice use of seasickness tablets, or putting the person on the helm.
- Steering failure: this can happen but is very rare and the steering system on Tahira has been checked and rechecked. We also have a backup on board.
- Rudder - attack by Orcas: believe it or not there is an increasing occurence of Orca attacks around the entrance to the Med, but this has never been known in the areas of the Atlanctic we are sailing in.
- Comms failure: comms are needed mainly for emergencies and to recieve the daily update of the weather. Again we have alternative sources of comms with both a long-range radio and satellite telecomms.
- Water: this is a critical issue. Again we have 2 main storage tanks for 200 litres of water plus 150 litres in plastic containers that will cover our voyage. In addition, we have a desalination plant on board that can create 35 litres per
hour, and we can of course collect rain water.
- Trip takes much longer: we are expecting 21 days, planning for 25 days, but we have enough food for 30 days including emergency rations - so we have a built in contingency. BUT it would mean that John and Peter would miss their flights home
:)
So the bottom line is that we have contingencies for all of the risks we face, and we have a very experienced skipper and crew to make sure we think and plan ahead at all times!
Blog author: Andy Bruce