10-MAR-2010 0039

LAT N 16° 21.189

LONG W 086° 26.797

We have had a near miss … almost. The winds have been high all day and night, 25-35 knots. At around 2150, our anchor alarm went off. By the time Jim got to the navigation station to check the GPS and called me to hit the deck, we were already dragging anchor wildly. Almost before we could take a breath we were bearing down on GENTOO, a 44’ CSY Sloop anchored nearby. DREAM AWAY was on one side of GENTOO’s anchor chain, crashing on her starboard bow. Our dinghy, which had been tethered on our stern, was caught on the other side of GENTOO’s anchor line, and beat against her port bow. Jim grabbed the wire cutters to cut our dinghy loose in order to separate the yachts. For a few minutes, it looked if our dinghy davits would tear through GENTOO’s rigging. Fortunately, we were able to separate the yachts by powering DREAM AWAY forward in time to avoid the rigging damage to GENTOO. We bemoaned the loss of our beloved dinghy and grand Yamaha motor, but had no time to contemplate them as our anchor continued to drag, crossed KETCH ME’s anchor chain, and hung there. So, now three boats were in the fray. DREAM AWAY had to power up to KETCH ME’s port side to take tension off our anchor chain so that our anchor could be cut loose or removed. We had to do this very carefully as we had actually spotted our dinghy floating upside down right beside our boat! Don’t know how this could have happened, but we were glad to see it. We had gotten a boat hook secured in the remnants of the dinghy’s security wire, then got a line through the loop, and tied the dinghy off our port beam… still floating upside down. Then we carefully powered up to KETCH ME. They (Paul, and Bill) were able to free our anchor from KETCH ME, and then Jim backed DREAM AWAY off. Our anchor dragged a bit more, then caught bottom in 16’ of water. The winds were blowing ~ 30 knots and the seas were up, even though we were still in the protection of French Cay Harbour. We set a second anchor, and felt more secure. Paul from SERENITY and Bill from KETCH ME braved the wild weather and came over to DREAM AWAY to help us right the dinghy and get it retied astern. The motor was still attached, as was the gas tank (both had been secured to the dinghy with wire ropes and locks to retard theft). The cushions, cooler, etc. were lost, but we weren’t complaining. Coffee was had by all, then our friends returned to their boats. They each checked in with us to confirm they were safely aboard. We are trying to calm down.

10-MAR-2010 0920

LAT N 16° 21.219

LONG W 086° 26.635

We are now re-anchored in 20’ of water. The CQR is down with 150’ of chain, and the Barnacle is down with 125’ of chain. Some sleep last night, but not much. Even though the wind started settling down, we had had a scare, and were still vigilant. Miraculously, KETCH ME reports no damage from last night’s excitement other than a lost snubber. GENTOO reports some damage to her starboard bow cap rail, and a lost snubber. GENTOO will be heading to the Rio Dulce in the May-June timeframe, and we should be there by then, so we have determined that either Jim will repair the damage at that time, or we will find someone local to do it. DREAM AWAY has lots of dings and green paint (rubbed off the dinghy’s bottom while getting her turned right side up) on the port side, but the only further damage appears to be to the zippers on the dinghy canopy, which were ruined. These can be easily replaced. Lots of visitors and well-wishers have stopped by. Jim will be working on the dinghy motor today. It looks hopeful.

Later in our cruise, we met up with GENTOO at West End. Gary and Joyce had become good friends with Nicola & Noel (TANTALUS) when they were stuck in French Cay fixing their boat, so we got to know them, too. All three of boats sailed from West End to Utila … our first trip there. We had a great time walking around the main street, eating local foods, and stocking up on cinnamon buns. Bill on KETCH ME showed up at Utila also, but only for a short time, and then he left for La Cieba. Our three boats set sail for the Rio, stopping overnight at El Diamonte. We spent two or three days together in El Diamonte, then GENTOO & TANTALUS headed back to the Rio, and we went back to Utila, then Roatan, to wait for our kids’ visit.

After the kids’ visit, we left Roatan and stopped at West End to see Emil and Marialisa, but all was not well at La Adventura. Our friend Sparky brought a friend there in hopes we could pair them up for a tourist outing of lunch and para-sailing. When we left, it sounded as if they might have a plan. But we have heard since that La Adventura is now closed.

We then went to Utila to check out of Honduras, and on to El Diamonte for an overnight stay. We watched with thankfulness and interest as Rey and Dan on TROPICAL DANCER towed in MARALISA, owned by Miguel, while the seas were building. Joan and Ted on PANCHETA were also there. We didn’t visit with any of them at that time, but looked them up when we were all back on the river. It’s always nice to make new friends. PANCHETA has been a wealth of information and pictures as they have cruised extensively far beyond the Rio, and into many other Caribbean ports, including Cuba. That’s a place that is definitely on our bucket list.