Monday, March 16, 2009

March 14-15, 2009

14 and 15 Mar 2009 2012 hrs GMT 102 hrs local
Lat 21º 14.78' N Long 86º 44.70' W
At anchor Isla Mujeres Harbor Mexico
Wind 11.0 knots E by ESE
Sea State – less than 1' - Beaufort 1
Air Temp 80.3ºF Barometer 30.10
Clear

We left Cuba at 1205 hrs local on the 14th. The German sailboat Hedwig had left about an hour and 15 minutes ahead of us. We set up our lines and made a most seamanlike departure.

The day was beautiful and sea close in was flat and calm. We all enjoyed the ride from the flying bridge. Even after we had cleared the sea buoy and started to cross the Yucatan Channel it was a very pleasant ride: seas 2 to 3 with a following wind. The Yucatan Channel is a very busy shipping lane so we keep a constant radar vigil on the numerous target which surrounded us. When ever I thought it was prudent I would hail Hedwig on the VHF and give him updates on speed and bearing regarding targets that might pass close to him.

As the afternoon passed into evening the Gulf Stream again pressed her weight upon on course and we found ourselves slogging through 4 to 6 foot rollers on the port stern quarter and a current set that at times during the crossing knocked us down to 2 knots over speed over the ground. The Gulf Stream is one of the oceans mighty rivers.

Towards sunset the port engine began to stumble a little every half hour or so. Nothing critical, a hundred RPM’s or so then come back up and run like clock. It brought back all the feelings I had when I had my airplane and the engine would hick up. The pucker factor was ratcheting up. I don’t mind a problem that I can understand the cause and effect, but this one had no apparent cause.

Harry, aeon and I brainstormed the whole fuel system, reviewed each fuel transfer: nothing. Everything is the same as it has been for the last four years. I had changed the fuel filters in Cuba and the vacuum gauge showed to obstructions. We must have a gremlin aboard.

As evening wore into night and darkness fell, as it can only fall on a moonlit night sea, the stumbling increased in frequency and rpms.
Then the port engine stumbled and failed. Harry and went to engine room while aeon took over the helm. I present the highest praise for my crew. Aeon helmsman ship in those conditions with only one engine was superb high enough and Harry stood sweating and nauseated with me in the engine as we bleed and revived the port engine.

Once we had power again Harry and I tried to solve this mystery. We went back down and rigged a cool air duct to blow directly on the fuel injection pump because the symptoms were very much like vapor lock. That didn’t work. We lost the port engine again. Another bleed and restart. This was turning into a long night. After discussion I decided to use both lift pumps in series to see if increased flow would solve the problem.

Both engines came up and purred like contented cats before a fire. We reorganized the night watch and I went to bed for an hours sleep. Silence and Harry saying “Captain we have lost both engines”. Instant awake and into the engine room while Second Star rolled in the swells. Both fuel filter cans where empty. A check of the day tank sight glass showed plenty of fuel, the valves on the fuel manifolds where in their proper position. No fuel leaks evident in the builges. WHAT THE HELL!

Again another reprime: boost pump the filter cans full, bleed and restart each engine. The only good thing out of this so far is that Harry and I can reprime and restart both engines now in 5 minutes.

I set a 15 minute engine room watch. This reveals that we are draining the fuel filter cans at an extraordinary rate. We start to refill the cans underway every hour and both engines purr on through the wee hours fighting to wrest ground from the Gulf Stream. We are winning but at times it seems like a slug fest. Again I make decisions based on SOG vs. heading. Two hours later we lose both engines again. The filters are draining faster now. Another restart. If this was Olympic event The crew of Second Star would be medalists. By a vigilant regimen of the filters we are able to keep the engines running as the sun rises are we begin thje final approach towards Isla Mujeres.

All of this has gone on while we are tracking upwards of 12 large ships at a time passing around us and Hedwig. We plotted a passing for Hedwig that was within a ¼ mile of a oil tanker and one for Second Star that required a course change to avoid collision.

Second Star is running well with constant attention. Frigate birds are appearing in ever growing numbers as well as dolphins. Mexico lies just over the horizon. Final land is sighted.

We took the northern approach, rounding the headland and out of the grip of the Gulf Stream and her waves. There is a whole fleet of sport fisherman heading out for the day as we steam towards the harbor.

Anchor goes down, we choose to shut off the engines and we have arrived.

The Mexican courtesy and Q flags are set. I order showers and a nap for all.

Hedwig arrives after we are rested and anchors aft of us on our port side. Brief exchange and the Germans disappear for some sleep. I think they had a rough crossing.

After catching up on our logs, we launch the dinghy and go into town for a stroll and dinner. After a very pleasant meal topped off with a gelato cone we return to Second Star. It is a serene evening and the frustrations of the previous night are just a memory as we call it a day and go to bed.

No comments:

Followers