2. Serengeti 2010

Bonaire to the San Blas Islands

There's a forecast of storms out at sea so we stay close to the coasts of Venezuela and Columbia at the start of our 5-day transit towards Panama. But there were some unforeseen difficulties ahead!
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2010DSC7944

  • Next morning, following our steering failure, the floor boards are up in the stern cabin and the hydraulic system at the top of the rudder is being examined
  • Sheila watches as our cabin is taken over by the repair team
  • With floor boards up and door off we can see the awkward position of the rudder
  • The Rolls-Royce made hydraulic unit at the top of the rudder is getting no 'power' from the steering wheel up on the bridge. A complete hydraulic failure was the cause
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  • Stationary, we are starting to roll heavily from side to side. And there's no sea anchor on board to turn us into the increasingly strong wind and gathering swell
  • A Columbian military helicopter buzzes us. He must wonder why we're not moving but we're now about 50 miles off their coast
  • Graham desperately tries to speak to the Columbian military helicopter that's circling us for the third time. But, and we didn't know it at the time, our bridge radio is next best to useless
  • Hopefully the chopper will get the message we're on Channel 16 and speak to us
  • Currently we're stationary 50 miles off Columbia, sideways on to the easterly swell and increasing wind as he storm we were trying to avoid, before we broke down, is getting closer
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  • Graham on the hand compass (which was not much help; only the iPhone compass allowed us to steer a reasonable course) with Yogi as one of the 'Tiller Boys'. The top of the rudder and scaffolding pole are clearly visible!
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