ORCV Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V)

"Blisters on your hands - from steering!"

This was my favourite comment from Scarlet Runner's skipper, Rob Date, during a chat we had earlier this morning. He certainly was upset, as this race has been part of his plan since she was christened last year. "It is very disappointing, you know. We just had a lot of water - wet everywhere and it simply killed the electrics. I’m now pretty sure it came in through the shore power inlet. We lost everything – house and engine batteries, the lot. We had the handheld VHF and a GPS. Yesterday, we came in to Southport under headsail and then the Water Police towed us up to the Southport Yacht Club.”

Rob was also very appreciative of the efforts made by all, especially AMSA. “The plane was with us in about two and quarter hours. They raised us on the VHF, we gave them our exact position and then lit the torches for them. They then circled overhead while the correspondence and questions were relayed between us, them, Canberra and Melbourne.”

Pre-start on Sunday - Rob at the wheel. John Donati under the boom. (Please let me know who you are behind Rob and I'll add your name.) Pic © Steb Fisher.

With the account clarified, we were then able to talk about the conditions and that wonderful ride they must have had before they had to retire. “We were flaming it! Best we saw was 26.5knots SOG with waves rolling down the deck. We’d go up one, down one, up the next and down, then up again before the nose would just go through one and a metre wall of water would come marching down the deck. It was great fun!”

All of that certainly accounts for the volume of “water everywhere and through everything”, as Rob put it. They saw breezes into the mid 30’s and it only got tough when the current was against the waves and “…we had six to eight metre seas on the beam. It was a bit hard to see it all at night”, was how Rob put it. “We did have lots of running, as well as reaching along under the JT (Jib Topper). The boat was better in the twenties than at 12 knots. The spray did not affect us as badly. When we blew the A4, it was just this enormous crack. It was fantastic.” I am glad Rob enjoyed it, because he’s paying!

It was at about this time in the conversation that the quote, which is now the headline, appeared. They maintained a three-watch system of three souls in each. Three hours on, one and a half on standby (read bailing, bailing, bailing) and three asleep. “We had seven helmers and if we needed to, we could draw on the standby watch, as well. We only had three small broaches in the entire time”, Rob stated.

There are three of the crew with the boat this morning. Ultimately they’ll head to Vanuatu by plane. The rest of the crew head back home today and then to work; how exciting, eh… As for Rob, he’s got to “…dry her out and then fix the issues ready for Hammo.”

All the best and we’re glad you’re all safe and well. Thank you for the virtual ride and your time this morning.

Cheers and farewell, for now. Pic © Steb Fisher.

To see where the fleet are located after the latest sked, please go HERE.

By John Curnow