2014 Vanuatu - Report from ARIEL II on retirement

Ashley Stevens, Skipper ARIEL II shares the circumstances that led to their retirement.

At about 0230 a wave pushed the bow and forced the boat in to a gybe.  After the gybe the main had wrapped itself around shrouds.  At first I thought the cringle had puled out of main and was thinking if we take it down to the reef point we should be OK.  On further inspection I noticed the that end of the boom was missing.  It had also wrapped itself around the shrouds I called to Jack who was down below to turn the deck lights on and come up. Once the lights were on we also noticed that the number 3 had pulled out of the luff tape in sections.

We hoved to and prepared to get the main down and so we could secure on the deck. After securing the main we started to head back even though the number 3 was torn it was still functioning without any signs of further damage so we left it up as it was giving us more drive than the storm jib would’ve in the conditions.

We were going to head back Port Phillip then decide to go into Refuge Cove and clean up the boat, have a meal that was saltwater free and a snooze.

When we arrived in Refuge we noticed MYUNA III was on anchor as well.

We did the 0800 Sked and then had a few hours sleep before cleaning up the mess on deck. Then it was meal time. A civilised affair sitting at the table below reflecting on what would never be.

These are some shots taken at Refuge Cove Wilsons Prom and the return from Refuge to Port Phillip.

ARIEL II Broken Boom at Refuge Cove, Wilsons Prom

 ARIEL II at anchor at Refuge Cove, Wilsons Prom

MYUNA at Refuge Cove, Wilsons Prom

MYUNA at Refuge Cove, Wilsons Prom

MYUNA departing Refuge Cove, Wilsons Prom afte fixing their water ingest issue.

ARIEL II heading back to Port Phillip Bay from Refuge Cove, Wilsons Prom under storm sails.