It was a big system. We have been caught in the middle of it. I was told that this system was very rare as one side the wind/current effect is counter-clockwise, and the other side the wind/current effect is clockwise (usually in the northern hemisphere, it’s rare to see clockwise!)
So, with 57 knots wind and 5-7 meters wave height, pounding on the Spirit of Waubun, one of our oars broke into half last night, and the half with the shaft/blade finally broke off and flew out to the ocean and wiped the side of the boat. Fortunately, It did not hit our cabin doors. I think our grab line kept that long object off.
Just about auditing our equipment etc., we were hit really really hard. This time the boat turned sideways, a big knockdown, more than 90 degrees, but not a full capsize. Now we lost a second oar! It just flew out of the gunnel.
It’s a mess on deck, and in my cabin as I was thrown onto all the power switches. All switches are turned on!!! Lit like a Xmas time!!! Of course, my batteries are not happy!!! You don’t need to make water (turn that Watermaker switch off), no need to pump water (turn that bilge pump switch off)…
Ran and I are safe. We have 4 oars left. The rest, we’ll audit when we are able to get on deck.
Inside of my cabin, I have the opportunity to wipe off water, reorganize things, I’m busy again…
What makes my day is that earlier I got a surprise video from my ailing father (he was in ICU in April, and later readmitted to the hospital on June 1! I was not sure whether this journey would happen. But my father has his magic. He is getting better…. Talking to him everyday, though briefly, and seeing him recover bit by bit, I feel the higher power wants this to happen. I did not tell him about this crossing until the 4th week. But, I think he knows.
Ran and I listened to my dad singing one of my favorite songs, “ocean, my loving place”, and we both cried. We’ll row, and I I’ll return to see him and sing with him. He has been hospitalized for his late liver cancer for over 2 months now…
Love 💕 you dad! Thanks for singing and sending me your spiritual support.
