deborahann
New member
hlb\'s mayday
So we have a detached prop shaft, a Missing stern gland, and a bent prop shaft, plus some shiney new marks on the propellor. We don't know what we hit in a lively sea going just out of Salcombe headland, to Plymouth, to get the electrical problem checked out. Maybe a lobster pot/rope, just heard 2 loud bangs. Fortunately checked the engines, as the port engine was over revving, & tho the prop shaft was still turning, water was pouring in. After the mayday, boats rushed to help, but no one could communicate, as the loud claxon warning was deafening. The inshore lifeboat met us, they jumped on board & put a petrol pump into the engine compartment that was 80% full of water. Moved some gear so they could get access to the lazerette, water started flowing, then gushed in. Another pump was added. All the while we were racing towards Salcombe, claxon blaring, & boats everywhere. When I got off the bathing platform was 6" underwater, if we had been any further out, I'm not sure that when we realised what was actually happening, I.e. We were sinking, we could have got a mayday off, & launched the dinghy. Then the fire service brought in their serious pump, as the RNLI wanted theirs back in case they had another emergency. Then the police arrived.
We've now got SMS in Salcombe today to minimise the damage & the insurance guy has been. Engines so far don't appear to have water ingress. Phew.
Everyone in Salcombe keeps coming looking at the hole.
So we have a detached prop shaft, a Missing stern gland, and a bent prop shaft, plus some shiney new marks on the propellor. We don't know what we hit in a lively sea going just out of Salcombe headland, to Plymouth, to get the electrical problem checked out. Maybe a lobster pot/rope, just heard 2 loud bangs. Fortunately checked the engines, as the port engine was over revving, & tho the prop shaft was still turning, water was pouring in. After the mayday, boats rushed to help, but no one could communicate, as the loud claxon warning was deafening. The inshore lifeboat met us, they jumped on board & put a petrol pump into the engine compartment that was 80% full of water. Moved some gear so they could get access to the lazerette, water started flowing, then gushed in. Another pump was added. All the while we were racing towards Salcombe, claxon blaring, & boats everywhere. When I got off the bathing platform was 6" underwater, if we had been any further out, I'm not sure that when we realised what was actually happening, I.e. We were sinking, we could have got a mayday off, & launched the dinghy. Then the fire service brought in their serious pump, as the RNLI wanted theirs back in case they had another emergency. Then the police arrived.
We've now got SMS in Salcombe today to minimise the damage & the insurance guy has been. Engines so far don't appear to have water ingress. Phew.
Everyone in Salcombe keeps coming looking at the hole.
