2nd June 2013 Porto Kayio

Rounding the Capes - The Mishap

We have been rounding the bottom of the Peloponnese. There are about 5 capes to get round, 3 of them major. These major ones are the ends of three long fingers of land stretching out to sea, each with a ridge of mountains down their spines. The winds here are very unpredictable and gusty due to the high mountains (some still with snow on) and the deep gulfs. The last cape is the most infamous - there are stories of boats waiting 3 weeks for a slot to get around, others facing huge storms (including Odysseus) and others for whom it was a calm pussycat. I want the pussycat please!

However, to the mishap… We had rounded Ak (cape) Tainaro and tucked ourselves in a "sheltered" bay called Porto Kayio along with about 8 other boats of various nationalities; some Aussies, French, Italian, Dutch, German, as well as British. It took us 5 attempts (unheard of!) before we were dug in and securely anchored. The French no doubt thought we were mad.

About 1½ hours after going to bed I awoke to rocking and wind. Richard was already up on deck and watching. I joined him. We looked on as 2 boats dragged their anchors and had to make their way in the dark to sort themselves out. Then a 47' boat near us started dragging - as they were bringing their anchor up a 40knot gust caused their bow to sheer off. I am not sure what happened next, it was chaos and I think they were panicking. They veered dangerously close to Free Spirit (still sailing in company) who were ahead of us. The owner retrieved the situation, but then for some inexplicable reason decided to reverse at speed between our two boats. Had he continued far enough, all would have been well. But before he was clear of us he went forward, could not turn enough and smashed into our bow and scraped along our starboard side for a short bit. I was on the foredeck at the time having just put out some useless fenders.

The noise of graunching fibreglass and metal on metal was horrendous, we could not see what damage, but thought we saw some metal (of theirs) fall in the water. Madam Other Boat was screeching and the look of horror on their faces as they flashed past in the dark probably mirrored ours.

Morning, and things had eased. The damage was not as bad as the noise in the night suggested, but still the first significant hit our poor boat has had in 12 years. A bent pulpit (so starboard navigation light shines down toward the water at an odd angle), the stemhead by the anchor roller is bent outwards, my teak step is gouged and its mounting broken and one deep gouge in the gelcoat. (Richard has already filled and repaired that as we didn't want water getting into the matting.)

So it all looks very untidy but is still serviceable, attachment points and all rig is sound and we are thankful it wasn't worse. Also thankful that the boat that hit us was British, the owner (whilst incompetent!) has behaved impeccably - as one would expect! He came over at first light to make sure we were all right. They too were ok but if anything, more traumatised , with his wife feeling very nervous indeed. They accepted complete liability (in writing) and we sorted insurance. But until we get somewhere that can deal with it, we cannot tell how much all this is going to cost, if we can repair or if we have to replace (in which case only the proper HR replacement from Sweden will do). For later.

Hopefully, that is the end of all the dramas, and the season can start. Please. Thank you nicely.