Rescue At Sea

Baltimore has been a combination of pleasure and frustration. Our stay with Maireita and Mark was a treat, though the fine food and soft beds were difficult to leave. The continued bad weather and difficulty in finding replacement fuel filters did irritate somewhat. Still, we were able to leave that pleasant port at 8.30 am on Sunday with fresh fuel filters and the addition of a bug eating chemical to our fuel tank. 

Once out of Baltimore we put a reef in the main and motor sailed through a considerable swell towards the Fastnet. It was a bumpy and challenging run out but the reward of seeing this iconic obolisk bathed in sunlight while all about it raged was a treat indeed. As our course swung towards Mizen head we hoped to manage a better sail but the wind swung on our nose and we continued to drive into increasing swell. Goose proved her worth as a seaworthy vessel managing well and leaving its crew feeling safe and reassured. 

On we drove towards the Bull, heifer and calf rocks where, after passing to windward we would have a broad reach into Kenmare river provided we could manage the heavy swell on our beam!

The engine had been dropping revs yet again and as we were passing west of Bull rock it cut out entirely. The Skipper ran below to try and start her while Mark adjusted course to take us off the rocks. Efforts to restart were fruitless and given the swell, our position and the likelihood of increased wind the Skipper put in a radio call to Valentia Coast Guard. Once they'd determined we were out of immediate danger they advised us that Castletownbere lifeboat would be with us in approximately 1 hour   We took up a holding position sailing westward at 1 to 1.5 knots and waited shame faced for our rescuers arrival. We should not have had the confidence we had in an engine, or rather a fuel supply, that had proven so unreliable. Our dependence on the miracle, bug eating additive proved misplaced and resulted in the rescue services coming to our aid. The RNLI is not the AA and dependence on them should be avoided. Still when our heroes arrived they were non judgemental, efficient and pleasant beyond reason (given our interruption of their Sunday afternoon!).

They radioed ahead asking us to drop our sails and make ready to take a line on board. The Skipper did this and it wasn't long before we were secured to this powerful knight of the seas and on route to Castletown Berehaven a Haven indeed for us. 

The Skipper however remained on deck in despondent mood...was this an interruption to our adventure or its termination?  Only time would tell!  Independently Neil and Mark sat in the cockpit ruminating on our predicament and considering options. It had been a slap in the face with a wet fish for us all!

21.00 saw us deposited alongside the fishing boat Staronia II. Feeling damp and miserable we did our best to make for a comfortable night, phoned our loved ones to share our pessimism and took to our bunks. 

The RNLI is a remarkable organisation. Voluntary donations and voluntary action by the crews save countless lives and provide reassurance for such as us. They deserve our gratitude and support in abundance. 

🎶 Take me home 🎶