Brightonyacht
New member
French rescue SNSM
Interesting reading this post as we had the big offshore all weather SNSM Cap Fagnet from Fecamp rush to our rescue recently with a nice bill at the end.
On our 30ft Sailboat, with All the engine checks/preps in the world couldn't have prepared us for the catastrophic engine failure that occurred to us!
All checks done and done again, inc weather batteries charged, radios/gps working, we headed West with almost due West F4-5 gusting poss 6 with wind over tide and sea state was over 2m swell passing over the headland at Etretat from Fecamp to Honfleur under motor, but expected to reduce significantly over morning, especially when we turn SW towards Le Havre. The weather was, as I would describe, a little uncomfortable, but my other have was scared to say the least, but I was confident of a smoother passage after the first 2 hours.
This was when the trusty Volvo Penta MD7 decided to change note! Something I can detect instantly! Revs up and down, I thought best to reduce throttle and check the engine, but instead it over revved at an alarming rate, so I shouted up to cut the engine, but nothing, I opened the engine bay with smoke and heat billowing, I was a little worried, but knew where all the cable linkages connected, so decided to manually cut the fuel and throttle. NOTHING! With the flywheel rotating uncontrollably even with fuel cut, I needed to starve the engine, somehow of fuel/air, but impossible with all the commotion and engine about to explode/catch fire, nothing for it, but Pan Pan to French Channel 16, just to state our position and problem.
At this point we turned through the wind as I pulled the gib out for some control, then the main and finally under sail back to Fecamp, but serious risk of fire, so fire exts at the ready.
Eventually, my other half did what we should never do and slammed her into gear, finally cutting the engine.
A friendly yacht that we waved to merely 20 mins before, heard the pan pan and doubled back to help. We thanked and said we were now under control and heading back towards Fecamp. During this time, we heard the French coastguard call Fecamp Station, who was now alerted and en route. We stated we were all ok, no fire and under sail and full control to Fecamp when in the distance we saw a big orange boat hurtling towards us, yes the SNSM Cap Fagnet lifeboat was en route.
Once communication was established, we set up a tow with a sea anchor and arrived unscathed into Fecamp where we were praised by the lifeboat for the calm control we had shown. The 9 or so people on board were fantastic and I cannot thank them enough, so they asked me to board with my papers where they presented me with a bill for their time of €517. They said my insurance would cover it, but it didn't! In any case, we were so grateful that they were there if needed that I ended up having to pay by credit card once we had settled in Fecamp.
Although I didn't request the lifeboat, I can only assume that the coastguard assessed our situation and deemed it necessary. All I can say is the situation could have been utterly catastrophic and the small price we had to pay was worth it although hindsight is wonderful as we managed to control the situation.
The problem in the end was a leaking seal in the injection pump where fuel was leaking into the oil, causing the unlimited revving and no control.
All I can say is a big thank you to the SNSM for their help in returning to Fecamp. Although RLNI would not have charged, the French operate differently and I would much rather have them there, even if there is a cost.
Looking back, I am glad we did what we did as it could have been seconds to disaster, but in the end, everyone was ok and the lifeboat crew back at work after lunch.
A very relieved and happy crew in the end.......
Interesting reading this post as we had the big offshore all weather SNSM Cap Fagnet from Fecamp rush to our rescue recently with a nice bill at the end.
On our 30ft Sailboat, with All the engine checks/preps in the world couldn't have prepared us for the catastrophic engine failure that occurred to us!
All checks done and done again, inc weather batteries charged, radios/gps working, we headed West with almost due West F4-5 gusting poss 6 with wind over tide and sea state was over 2m swell passing over the headland at Etretat from Fecamp to Honfleur under motor, but expected to reduce significantly over morning, especially when we turn SW towards Le Havre. The weather was, as I would describe, a little uncomfortable, but my other have was scared to say the least, but I was confident of a smoother passage after the first 2 hours.
This was when the trusty Volvo Penta MD7 decided to change note! Something I can detect instantly! Revs up and down, I thought best to reduce throttle and check the engine, but instead it over revved at an alarming rate, so I shouted up to cut the engine, but nothing, I opened the engine bay with smoke and heat billowing, I was a little worried, but knew where all the cable linkages connected, so decided to manually cut the fuel and throttle. NOTHING! With the flywheel rotating uncontrollably even with fuel cut, I needed to starve the engine, somehow of fuel/air, but impossible with all the commotion and engine about to explode/catch fire, nothing for it, but Pan Pan to French Channel 16, just to state our position and problem.
At this point we turned through the wind as I pulled the gib out for some control, then the main and finally under sail back to Fecamp, but serious risk of fire, so fire exts at the ready.
Eventually, my other half did what we should never do and slammed her into gear, finally cutting the engine.
A friendly yacht that we waved to merely 20 mins before, heard the pan pan and doubled back to help. We thanked and said we were now under control and heading back towards Fecamp. During this time, we heard the French coastguard call Fecamp Station, who was now alerted and en route. We stated we were all ok, no fire and under sail and full control to Fecamp when in the distance we saw a big orange boat hurtling towards us, yes the SNSM Cap Fagnet lifeboat was en route.
Once communication was established, we set up a tow with a sea anchor and arrived unscathed into Fecamp where we were praised by the lifeboat for the calm control we had shown. The 9 or so people on board were fantastic and I cannot thank them enough, so they asked me to board with my papers where they presented me with a bill for their time of €517. They said my insurance would cover it, but it didn't! In any case, we were so grateful that they were there if needed that I ended up having to pay by credit card once we had settled in Fecamp.
Although I didn't request the lifeboat, I can only assume that the coastguard assessed our situation and deemed it necessary. All I can say is the situation could have been utterly catastrophic and the small price we had to pay was worth it although hindsight is wonderful as we managed to control the situation.
The problem in the end was a leaking seal in the injection pump where fuel was leaking into the oil, causing the unlimited revving and no control.
All I can say is a big thank you to the SNSM for their help in returning to Fecamp. Although RLNI would not have charged, the French operate differently and I would much rather have them there, even if there is a cost.
Looking back, I am glad we did what we did as it could have been seconds to disaster, but in the end, everyone was ok and the lifeboat crew back at work after lunch.
A very relieved and happy crew in the end.......
