Casual Heros

Our image of paradise was balanced when we noticed a formation of dark clouds looming over the horizon the second afternoon in the atoll. The wind gradually picked up to 25 knots by the evening of the second day. All three sailboats in the atoll took firm hold to coral heads scattered in the anchorage. One catamaran named Troutbridge did not weather the storm like the rest. At 8pm they popped their anchor. With the captain enjoying drinks the other boat, an able Kiwi crew member fired up the engine and motored off the reef. Returning promptly, Captain Pete re-anchored and started bailing the rising water from his boat. After a bilge pump failure he needed help. We arrived with a spare electric bilge pump to a terrified crew furiously bailing with buckets. I set up the bilge pump while Bret found the leak and kept the water level manageable. We left the boat that night outsourcing the remaining bailing to the bilge. Several large holes were identified the following morning. The leak had been isolated to the starboard hull which breached through a faulty containment hatch. We were recruited by the local talent to complete the job spending hours underwater re-shaping and mending the dilapidated vessel. During this process, another boat named Imagine could not release their anchor from the coral. Despite enjoying the spectacle (keep in mind, salty old captains do not accept help quickly), Bret and I offered assistance by diving 50ft and untangling a mess of chain to set them free. After the repairs our friends are currently headed to Tahiti to survey the damage.

(Makai also helped out by marking the coral heads for Troutbridge on their way out of the atoll.)

We wish them good luck and safe travels.