SATURDAY, JULY 1, 2006 - Juneau
We did go to Pack Creek, taking a float plane in, which Darrell and Sandy had never done. There was a bear on the beach when we got there, and she hung out for quite a while, but we didn’t get to see any others. The salmon are not yet running, so there are not as many bears visible as there will be later in the season. The rangers there were very helpful and knowledgeable, and I did find out why the bears at Cannery Cove are so skiddish – it’s because they are still hunted and have learned to be very cautious and afraid of man. This trip took most of the day and it was a welcome respite from being on the boat and thinking about our issues.
Bob and Cheryl fixed dinner for us on their boat. I was really tired and in spite of having such a good time with them, I left early and came home to bed.
SUNDAY, JULY 2, 2006 - Juneau
Darrell and Sandy left to fly to Sitka. We had originally planned to get them near Sitka and they had arranged to fly out of there. They really wanted to see Sitka, so it worked out to give them a day there before they were scheduled to fly home. With just John and I back on the boat, we got to work trying to make sure things were working as planned. John checked Yellow Freight to see where our mast was and was surprised to see that Forespar had not sent it out to arrive by Monday, but by Friday. John contacted Yellow Freight and immediately changed the shipping arrangements, but could do no better than having the mast in Seattle by Wednesday morning. And that maneuver just probably doubled our shipping cost.
Brad has told us that if we pay for him to fly up, he will install the new mast. John has already found a rigger who can do the stays, so we think we will have Brad come since he knows our boat and all the electronics that run through the mast. Also, we think it’s important for him to see it so we all can make a determination of exactly what happened here. And, he really wants to do it.
Bob and Cheryl’s daughter and her family came in today, and they included us for dinner. It was warm enough to have dinner in the cockpit and we really had a nice evening. They will leave tomorrow to cruise with their family for a few days and will be back by the end of the week.
MONDAY, JULY 3, 2006 – Juneau
First thing, I called John at Alaska Air, Seattle and told him of our new issue. He is trying very hard for us and said if we could have it there by Wednesday, no later than 1030, he would do his best to get it, if it will fit, on the plane that leaves Wednesday at 1330 for Juneau. If not, we need back up plans to get it here.
Kate had already talked to Linden Transport who runs a barge from Seattle to Juneau, and we have arranged for them to take the mast if Alaska Air can’t. They have a barge leaving on Friday that would be here the following week by Thursday. So, that’s where we stand there. Either this week or next and we won’t know until Wednesday.
The Outback dealer called and said our inverter is here and they have a guy who can install it today. Yay!!! At last something worked, and he did come and get the new inverter installed without mishap. It appears all in our electrical system is fine and that the inverter just went. Nobody really knows why – even the techs at Outback said, hey, it happens.
John is still making lots of phone calls, trying to get the specs for the mast and stays, not only to try to determine where the failure point was, but also so we can be assured of a safe operation in the future with the new mast.
John talked to Wes at Sterling to try to figure out how to take the watermaker apart to install the new valve and Wes said that Horizon has the whole week off and weren’t mailing anything out til next week. We can only hope that Mary did get our parts out last week, but don’t know and they did not arrive today.
I continue to be really tired and a little flummuxed, but did manage to get the sheets washed and put back on the beds and the towels done. Got both heads cleaned and ready in case Brad should be here this week.
Talked to Craig and Jeanette and they’ve tentatively decided to stay with their original flight and go into Sitka, spend several days there, and then if and when we’re put back together take the ferry from Sitka to Juneau. I’ll call them on Wednesday as soon as I know if the mast makes the flight.
Tonight are the fireworks here in Juneau at midnight. John loves fireworks, but I just didn’t have the heart to go. He went alone and said they were really awesome.
TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2006 – Juneau
Today hardly feels like the 4th. I’m determined to get these logs onto the website. I know several people are looking for them and want to know the details of our mishaps, so have spent most of this day working at the laptop.
We are aware that there has been much speculation amongst Selene owners as to what exactly happened, and rightfully so, those with mast and boom set-up are very concerned. The best we have been able to determine at this point is that the failure was caused by one of three things. Either the cable was undersized for the load it was under; or we had a bad Norseman fitting on the stay; or we had a bad swage on the stay and fitting. At this point, though, all the facts are not in and we really don’t know the cause. Be assured, as we learn things, we will post them here and onto the owner’s forum for everyone’s benefit. We certainly would never want this to happen to anyone else.
We continue to want to believe the glass is half full, but are emotionally fried. John seems to be doing better than I am, but it always takes me longer to work through stressful events.
There are several things I want to say about the positive things that have happened recently. First of all, I am so very grateful that no one was injured when the dinghy and mast fell. It certainly had the potential to be a REAL disaster had someone been under the mast or the dinghy when it came down. Never, EVER stand under the dinghy as it is coming up or down, whatever your system of deployment is.
Secondly, many thanks to Darrell and Sandy, first of all for all their help that night and since – you guys are pretty amazing people, and we appreciate your flexibility, sense of humor, and being able to roll with the punches. You are true friends.
Sterling Yacht has been of great help to us in trying to sort things out. Thanks to all of you, particularly Brad and Kate.
The harbormaster and staff here in Juneau are awesome. Thanks to all of you.
Dina and John at Alaska Air have done everything in their power to help us out. I’ve got my fingers crossed for tomorrow.
Brian, at Canvas Supply in Seattle, you make one mean bimini and you have my gratitude for doing it right. You told me it was really, really strong and you were right. Had the bimini not held the mast that night, it would have gone all the way down and we would have had to cut it loose and just abandon it and the electronics overboard. I will gladly and forever be your posterchild!
There were 5 or 6 boats in the anchorage that night, but only one offered any assistance to us at all. Greg and Janette (please forgive me if I got the names wrong) on Voyager, a 46’ Nordhavn out of San Francisco, radioed us after we had everything secure, said they saw the whole thing happen, congratulated us on an admirable job of recovering, and offered any other assistance we might need, whether a sat phone to make calls or whatever. I talked with him for a while, giving him our plan of attack for getting to Juneau, confirming the weather report, etc. Their simple act of kindness and concern meant an immeasurable amount to us during that stressful evening. Thank you.
Finally, the support of the Selene owners never ceases to amaze me. Special thanks to Mark and Roseanne and Bob and Cheryl for their love and support, as well as Jerry and Linda, and of course, to the others of you who have called or written to offer support and assistance. This is a great group of owners.
So….I guess there’s always good out of bad. What is it they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger? Yeah, whatever…....
Although, I suppose the beat goes on, and tomorrow is another day, right Scarlett?