Avalons bad luck
Medican Zorbas in Phylos
The first hurricane in the mediterranean, medican Zorbas (September 2018), was on its way towards the Peloponnese and we moored up at Phylos town quay for shelter. Prepared with lots of car tires next to our big fenders and additional breast lines to shore, we felt well prepared for this new weather phenomena. Reality taught us a good lesson, you can never be prepared when nature hits. The boat in front of us, an Aluminium Reinke, lost its back line and swung against us in heavy swell, nothing could be done to prevent it by us little human beings.
Steel boats are strong
Damages worse than expected
The whole horror started in the late afternoon and lastet over 6 hours. Tired and frustrated watching our life being beaten into peaces, we booked into a hotel close by. No luggage to be carried, beside our emergency grab bag. Late at night we could enter the boat for a first look at the disaster. Due to the broken window in the back, dirty habour water swapped inside for hours with the engine room flooded and the master cabin completely soaked it was far worse than expected. Thanks to the steel body, Avalon resisted the heavy attack. Dented and scratched, both boats stayed afloat.
First Aid for Avalon
Emmergency call to Vliho Yacht Club
We recovered our tender from the rocks, fixed the back window with some wood and started to dry out the boat with dehumidifiers. With our fire fighter pump we emptied the engine room and flushed the motor with sweet water. Because the engine wouldn`t start, we called the Vliho Yacht Club for assistance. A few hours later Ruari turned up via road with a new starter engine, Milly the club dog for moral support and two of his assistants, Laura and Josh. He made sure that the engine started, and went back on the road with the dog only. The rest of us left Phylos on the same day sailing back to Vliho, Lefkada hoping that the engine wouldn`t stop. We did arrive safely with a wrecked boat and demoralized, but happy to be back home.
