When I spoke to Alyson last night she had the name of a man here who might help me arranging a possible rescue attempt for Elsi. He is Sergio Andrade Barrientos. He is a friend of Tom Wills and he had passed Sergio’s name to her. Sergio has been in Shetland before and stayed in Bressay. I’ve now met up with him and he is being a great help. He has a lot of contacts here and is doing his best to help. He has been running me all round Punta Arenas speaking to this person and the next. He is also an Oceanographer so he understands the sea around here pretty well and he has offered me his home to use as a base while I am in Punta Arenas.
The port authorities here have issued a general message to all vessels in the area to keep a look out for Elsi. Yesterday we met a fisherman friend of his who works on the west coast and today we have spoken to several more people, some with boats available for charter to tow her if she is spotted.
Even with boats available the biggest problem is finding Elsi in the first place. There is no EPIRB or any kind of locating beacon onboard. It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. The other main problem would be getting to her and getting a tow attached.
Time and tide are against us however. When I left Elsi she was about 80nm offshore and the wind was southwest about 20 – 25kts and due to go northwest for a time. The current will tend to take her southeast.
The weather on the coast today is southwest (blowing onshore) 20 – 30 kts but is forecast to be up to 45kts or more by tonight. Elsi will drift at about 1.5 – 2kts per hour. She may well be ashore somewhere already. The best I can hope for is that she might have drifted in through a gap between some islands and has landed up somewhere that she hasn’t got too much damage.
Now for a completely bizarre twist to this story, one that I find almost unbelievable.
The reason Elsi was found off the south coast of Australia in 2007 was because an American sailor, James Burwick, was sailing his yacht, Anasazi Girl, from Cape Town to Auckland. He had a problem with his mast as he nearer the Australian coast and alerted the Australian Coastguard of his situation. He was still able to sail but they sent out a plane to check on him and as they flew out they spotted Elsi drifting. They alerted Falmouth CG who in turn alerted Shetland CG who in turn phoned us at 0700 on 13th February 2007 to tell us Elsi had been found.
Now that we had an accurate position for her we charted a local fishing boat which went out and was able to tow her into the port of Albany where I had been in hospital and where Anasazi Girl was now heading.
I met up with James Burwick there and told him the story.
On the same day Elsi was dismasted (this past Saturday) an American yacht 200nm south from me was also dismasted. It was a family, man wife and three children, one, three and five years old. They were too far out for a helicopter and a ship was sent out to try and rescue them. It was the same Anasazi Girl with James Burwick and his family. How strange is that? Out of all the yachts in the world….
They were picked up in a very difficult rescue operation and they were able to tow Anasazi Girl into Puerto Williams. The navy ship with the family onboard arrived here this afternoon and I was able to speak to James as they came ashore. He couldn’t believe it either. They are just now in the hospital getting checked over and are coming to stay in this hotel for the meantime. We are having dinner together later tonight.
By Neil Wed Mar 12th 2014 at 5:58 am
Andrew so glad to hear you are safe. Best of luck with looking for Elsi. We are so proud of you.
By Steve Skinner Wed Mar 12th 2014 at 6:29 am
Hi Andrew
Even if the ending is not what you wanted, it’s been a great story so far and this latest is another unexpected twist! Maybe there are more to come.
Amidst the great disappointment there are lots of good things to look back on: 1) you’ve survived a massive blow with great skill and experience, 2) you’ve had a great adventure already and 3) through reading the comments on your blog, you’ve captured the imagination of a lot of people along the way.
Remember what you’ve achieved rather than what might have been and look forward to new adventures to come.
By Peter George Malcolm Sinclair Wed Mar 12th 2014 at 8:13 am
I wiss de da best o luck Andrew and i really hoop du gits Elsi back. Da story aboot da Elsi and da Anasazi Girl in 2007 is a strange tale indeed and im hoopin its an oman fur dis time as weel.
Du haes my best wishes. Peter.
By Liz Watson Wed Mar 12th 2014 at 8:34 am
That is truly co-incidental. A truly small world, despite an immense ocean.
By Francesca Ashmore & Bob Wed Mar 12th 2014 at 8:48 am
Thank you for the detailed story of your ordeal, Andrew.
We are so sorry it had to end like this for you and our heartfelt hope is that Elsi can be recovered unharmed.
Thank heavens that you are rescued safely and are ashore at least.
Very best wishes from Francesca and Bob of Fire Hawk in Falmouth.
By Val Suggate Wed Mar 12th 2014 at 10:54 am
Glad to hear you are safe and well, Elsie Arrub has probably sailed of to “Valhalla”
I knew a Sergio once, named my dog after him if you remember( the dog that is ).
Come home in one peace for your mother’s sake.
All the best.
Love Val& Ray
By Les and Julie Wed Mar 12th 2014 at 3:27 pm
Hi Andrew,
As I have been on Elsi several times with you I also can not believe that she has been dismasted.
I really hope and pray that you can recover her one way or another and get her back without too much further damage.
We are really pleased and happy that you are well Andrew as it could easily have been a very different story. You have survived this with experience and skill.
We are thinking of you Andrew.
Les and Julie.
By James Mackenzie Wed Mar 12th 2014 at 3:29 pm
So sorry to hear Elsi was dismasted, but very glad you are safe Andrew, and hope you find her again without any or much further damage.
Amazing coincidence indeed with James Burwick – must be a meaning to it somewhere!
All the best from Rosa and James
By Pia Wed Mar 12th 2014 at 6:14 pm
Dear Andrew, just to let you know I am thinking of you and am very glad you are safe and well at the same time feeling for your loss …
Could not believe when I heard the news … how surreal it must be for you.
I am not in Shetland just now, looking after my mum for some weeks, enjoying a very early spring – small bird song, butterflies, trees in blossom, pink and white …
I keep my fingers crossed for your needle in a haystack and that you keep you spirits up.
very best wishes,
Pia.
By Mary Moncrieff Wed Mar 12th 2014 at 6:57 pm
Just amazing, as the old folk used to say ” It wis meant tae be” I am so happy you are safe and the Burwick family are too!
By john smith Wed Mar 12th 2014 at 11:18 pm
hi andy, im been following you right from when you and your brother left on your first trip and admire you greatly, its no mean feat rounding the horn once let alone three times. were all sad you lost your mast and i hope you find elsie. what a beutifull coincidence with james burwick, what a story, come home and get writing. i take my hat of to you, your the man, cheer fur noo, john smith
By Wilda Inkster Thu Mar 13th 2014 at 11:52 am
Great achievement, Andrew, to get out of that last horrendous ordeal, not to mention the rest. Another small co-incidence (can’t match the Anasazi Girl) – former Hamnavoe girl, sister Barbara, is to be in S America with husband for a month. Land in Buenos Aires, Sat 15. Punta Arenas is on agenda later, 29th March, after S Patagonia, El Chalten and Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego).
Best Wishes,
Wilda and Alistair
By John Wheatley G0JSC-RNARS-1702 Thu Mar 13th 2014 at 6:44 pm
Hello Andrew; Peter and XYL –Alyson
Followed your Voyage preparations when Alyson drove to Falmouth to “Store ship”!
I hope that you managed to save your lOG? When you were airlifted to Safety? I expect and trust that Alyson has a duplicate or may be the Email version?
The Dinner and your meeting with James must have been a great evening after both of your recent experiences.
Do also wish you well in finding Elsi with help from Sergio and his friends. What a boost to know that Sergio is an Oceanographer with knowledge of the Area and things Nautical.
I`d simpley like to add my voice to those who have expressed sadness at your current situation and to say,through Peter of the Shetland Radio Club: We,The RNARS (The Royal Naval Amateur Radio Society) are thinking of you all.
Should you hear me on the Amateur bands at all I`d be delighted to contact you 0r Alyson Hi! DE G0JSC-John-My RNARS Nr,is 1702. My QTH is Devon 73 /88-AR-SK.
.
PS : One thing Andrew. I am almost deaf so CW is my usual mode.
By Louise Moffat Thu Mar 13th 2014 at 7:25 pm
Vexed at da news aboot da mast letting dee doon, bit blyde dat doos safe an weel. Aa da best we looking fir Elsi.
By Ruth moss Thu Mar 13th 2014 at 11:24 pm
Wow … Just never know what’s round the corner! Given Elsi’s battle with the unforgiving elements you couldn’t have wished for a more comforting turn in your story. As my father once said – Don’t blink! Don’t miss the special moments that make memories – a hundred years goes faster than you think.
By Jim Nicolson Fri Mar 14th 2014 at 2:40 pm
Hi Andrew
We wir vexed tae hear dat dy roond da world trip wis sadly ended. Da maist important thing is dat doo is safe.
Mony a vessel moistly far bigger dan Elsi, is misfoarn gyaain roond da Horn ower da years. Bit dir nae doot dat doo hes been parteeclary unfortunate wi da conditions du’s hed tae face ower da last 5 or 6 weeks.
Tho du hes no managed dy primary objective,du sood be prood, as are we an a gret mony folk in Shetland an farder afield, o whit du hes achieved ida face o massive odds.
AA da best.