Here’s another story of a blue water boat losing its rudder at sea. In this case, the crew of the British sloop Water Music, which had been their home for the last 16 years while making a circumnavigation, was in the middle of the Indian Ocean when the rudder simply dropped off the boat. Luckily, the boat was not taking on water, but the crew had no way to steer. These excerpts are from Water Music’s blog.
About 1400, local time, yesterday we lost the rudder. There was no warning, but it all went. I ascertained this by swimming under the boat. There was no ingress of water – just no way we could steer. We attempted a spinnaker boom with floorboards & using blocks & tackles to no avail. This morning we streamed the drogue – which helped for a bit – but then the stitching all fell apart and we lost it. Wind has been blowing 25kn – so not excessive, but very uncomfortable cross seas. We did not believe we could sail to any point on land and so made the decision for a Mayday. The Chinese bulk carrier SMAC Transponder stayed with us yesterday and picked us up this morning. We have scuttled Water Music. We all got off without any personal loss or injury.
The ship is now heading to China and will drop us off at Jakarta.
Farewell, Old Friend
Water Music’s still happy crew is for the first time ever going to windward. The journey is just over 1000 miles from her final resting place to Jakarta.
That distance is long enough for each of us to re-qualify as members of the Ocean Cruising Club. However, the fact we are on a 200,000 tonne bulk carrier bound for china would disqualify us anyway. Going to windward on a ship like this is certainly a lot more comfortable.
On Thursday, we lost the rudder and it sank to the bottom of the Indian Ocean. We were unable to get a spinnaker pole rigged as a rudder – partly no doubt due to the continued cross sea running and relatively high wind. The sea anchor worked for a short while – before blowing apart. We were unable to steer and at least 2000 miles from anywhere we could get the damage repaired. That left us with no choice than to accept a lift about this ship.
Coming alongside a ship of this size was quite challenging and securing her was equally difficult. In that process, we ripped two cleats off the boat a chunk of toe rail and a running backstay.
Cutting a pipe inside the yacht was my final act of betrayal (to ensure she sank and was no danger to passing traffic) and a poor way to thank an old friend for the loyal service she has given us over the last 16 years. She looked after us better than I looked after her.
Farewell old friend & I hope your final resting place does you justice. Read more on Water Music’s blog here.
