can we help
+44(0)1983 296060
+1 757-788-8872
tell me moreJoin a rally

Menu

Starblazer - 14-02-2014. Galapagos



We arrived at about 0930 Panama time on Thursday morning, 0830 Galapagos time, then had to wait for our 'environmental hazard inspection' . This involved 8 people coming on board plus a diver taking photos of the underwater area. We passed the internal inspection which included asking about our procedures for dealing with rubbish, maintenance, oil spills etc. Unfortunately we learned today that we failed the underwater inspection, along with many other boats. Something is adhering to our hull which is deemed a risk to the Galapagos, most infuriating given we had a lift out and scrub off in St Lucia two days before we left in January. Rally Control has worked hard to find a solution. We will sail if there is any wind (motor if we have enough fuel) around the island to an agreed position 40 miles offshore (about 60 miles or 10 hours) to rendezvous with some divers who will scrub off the offending bits. Then we have to return for a re-inspection. All this means we will probably not be back before late Sunday evening so Richard and Stephanie will probably have to find a hotel for the night. More expense for them and we'll have to pay about $450 for the divers. Not happy.

Apart from the sealions we haven't seen any wildlife. Today was spent working on the boat. John spent the day re-building the generator. All was going really well until he found he had trapped the fuel pipe between the cylinder and cylinder head. As he eased up the head a valve push rod dropped in the engine bilge and rolled under the generator. Next job was to unbolt the generator casing to retrieve the rod....two of the bolts going through the rubber mounting blocks sheared. Rod retrieved, he swapped a sheared bolt a good one so we have supports on opposite corners. The generator started, ran intermittently but now seems to be running O.K. We shall see. Meanwhile I did some cooking, pizza for lunch, Parmesan breadsticks for this evening's drinks and 'Hermann', a German apple cake, is ready to cook. Then I attacked the forward cabin and made the bed up ready or Stephanie and Richard.

Tomorrow we are due to go on a trip to Kicker Rock so we should get to see some sea life. Then we'll sail overnight or the rendez-vous with the divers.

Joyce (rather fed up.)




Previous | Next