DRINA Knockdown

Day 118

Noon Position: 43 58S. 126 51E

Course/Speed: E7

Wind: W20

Bar: 1029

Sky: High Fog Sea: SW8

Sail: Headsails poled out full

Miles last 24 hours: 169

Longitude Made Good: 150

Total Miles: 16,279

Miles to Hobart: 939

A note from my friends on DRINA, the green hulled ketch that is exploring those southern ocean islands now 2,000 and more miles astern of us. Last I heard they were just off the Kerguelen Islands. I presume they have since departed and are heading east, because the not read… “Knocked down. Recovery mode. More later.”

I met Matt, Roscoe and owner Michael Thurston back in 2014 in the Arctic’s Northwest Passage. By now these three must have 15,000 ocean miles together, and Michael has been cruising DRINA since the 70s. I only mention that by way of saying these three know what they are about. It’s also curious that their difficulties have occurred in the same general vicinity as did ours—ours, between the Crozets and Kerguelen. Back in Ushuaia, I had the pleasure of an evening with the crew of Sir Enst, who’s skipper, Jiver, said two things of note: 1) “Randall, it is a beautiful cruise you are making” and 2) “The Indian Ocean” (whistles, rolls eyes) ”be careful.” No kidding, Jiver.

This just in from Matt (we communicate via InReach):

“We are up and sailing and charging on again. Also had to clear the prop  of a fouled line. Very lucky. Still all wet; still airing, and no doubt we’ll find spilled oats for weeks.” And correction: they are still on the approach to Kerguelen; i.e. very close to where Mo and I saw our window-breaking action.

Fast sailing for us on moderate westerlies last couple days. Hobart is now less than a 1000 miles off. And good thing as I suspect that the gale that caught DRINA will be making a house call here in a week or so.