Well my birthday had a rip roaring start. We did an overnight passage from
the Whitsunday Islands to Mackay Marina, in Australia. I was on the 4am
watch, about 4:30 the engine didn’t sound right. Any change in the engine
is cause for alarm, course Jim woke up and ask “what did you do?”
“Nothing” I said. Then we started smelling smoke. Then the main engine
quit. Talk about a bad feeling in the stomach. We started the small “get
home engine” but it would not hold the course. When the main engine died
the port stabilizer was engaged, we just went in circles. We were just off
shore in 90ft of water so we dropped anchor and put all the chain we
have….400ft! we let the engine room cool off and Jim went to work,
found the alternator was the problem. Had an extra, but of course it was
buried and everything had to come out of it’s hiding place. I sat in the
wheel house making sure we didn’t drift into one of the many islands
around us or get in the way of a freighter, took Jim a little over an hour
to get us fixed up and off again. We are tied to the dock in the marina
for a few days. It will take a half a day to put everything back in it’s
hidie hole. BUT we are going out to eat for my birthday and let someone
else cook and clean up.
All is well that ends well.
Much love, Martha
the Whitsunday Islands to Mackay Marina, in Australia. I was on the 4am
watch, about 4:30 the engine didn’t sound right. Any change in the engine
is cause for alarm, course Jim woke up and ask “what did you do?”
“Nothing” I said. Then we started smelling smoke. Then the main engine
quit. Talk about a bad feeling in the stomach. We started the small “get
home engine” but it would not hold the course. When the main engine died
the port stabilizer was engaged, we just went in circles. We were just off
shore in 90ft of water so we dropped anchor and put all the chain we
have….400ft! we let the engine room cool off and Jim went to work,
found the alternator was the problem. Had an extra, but of course it was
buried and everything had to come out of it’s hiding place. I sat in the
wheel house making sure we didn’t drift into one of the many islands
around us or get in the way of a freighter, took Jim a little over an hour
to get us fixed up and off again. We are tied to the dock in the marina
for a few days. It will take a half a day to put everything back in it’s
hidie hole. BUT we are going out to eat for my birthday and let someone
else cook and clean up.
All is well that ends well.
Much love, Martha