Crew Blog

The adventures of Superman and Water Boy

02 October 2007

Liverpool 08's Russ and David with their medals

It’s Saturday 29 September 02.50hrs and I’m on the helm going 7 knots; on course and with the watch-change in ten minutes.

The speed drops and steering is suddenly unresponsive. In the manner of our mutually supportive team, abuse is hurled at the helm whence I learn some new and interesting profanities.

It quickly becomes apparent, however, that there is a real problem.

Engineer David Purchase comes on deck and disappears into the lazarette to check the steering cables. Skipper Ben comes on deck and takes charge while we fit the emergency tiller. It is quickly diagnosed that rudder is jammed and won’t move. We are now turning 360º repeatedly. Indeed, we subsequently heard that Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper saw a series of port and starboard lights from three miles away as we gently pirouetted round the Atlantic Ocean.

We split into three teams; wheel, deck and mast. Yankee, staysail and main are dropped and secured. Luckily the wind is around 10 knots and the sea moderate; the boat stops.

The only solution is for someone to go over the side and check the rudder and Superman Russ steps forward, straps on air tank, mask and fins, is secured by a line and goes over.

He returns, having pulled a length of fishing net from the rudder and freed it. We now have full movement of the rudder again. Teams remobilise, the emergency tiller and tackles are removed and the sails re-hoisted in sequence, we’re moving again! It is now 4.10am. Astonishingly the whole incident has only taken one hour and 20 minutes, however, in this time we have lost two places, to Uniquely Singapore and Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper.

The off-watch goes below to sleep until the next watch change at 6am.

The on-watch tidies up and trims the sails.

It’s time to get those places back.

Peter Nuttall

PS – Thanks to Water Boy David Purchase for repairing the water maker and to Marine Boy Russ Crowley for de-snagging the rudder.

1. Mike Moore, Lancashire 03 October 2007

Peter,

If something was going to happen it could only be to you. Suggest you stop sunbathing in the canaries and get a move on!! No excuses remember 2 out of 10 must try harder.

Mike

2. helen Pearce, cheshire 03 October 2007

What a team Liverpool. What a relief to have so many Mr Fixits on board. Got a bit worried about the long rest period in the Canaries so really glad to see you working your way through the fleet again. Keep up the good work.
Cheers Helen (P)

3. Lynn Crowley, great yarmouth 03 October 2007

well done Russ, i’m so proud of you, keep up the good work xxx

4. Roy Stevens, Lytham St Annes 03 October 2007

Well done lads and ladettes. Keep up the good work.
Stay safe and stay happy.
Best wishes
Roy

5. chris, Manchester UK 04 October 2007

Well done guys, amazing tale of derring-do!

Look forward to some more beers with you all soon. Actually thought you had popped into Gran Canaria for a few!!!!

Best wishes

Chris
Hummer UK

6. Andy Perry, Not sailing! 04 October 2007

What a slick recovery guys from one of many drama’s the race has in store. Well done and hope you are just as quick and effecient by the time I join you.

This race has been a hard one to call tactically but don’t loose heart as you will have plenty of opportunities to bounce back and score a hat trick of wins on the way round.

Keep safe and sail fast. Andy - Leg 5

7. Laura Davies, Liverpool 04 October 2007

Hi to Lisa Pover and all the team

We hope you are all ok from last saturday. We are all still thinking of you, we know you will get back on track so come on do it for liverpool and yourselfs.

lots of love from
Laura Carol Tracy Paula Mark and all the kids X X X X X X

8. blake,charz,sooze, cowes 04 October 2007

welldone water boy ...keep yr chin up guys xx

9. Jon Langford, Orpington kent 04 October 2007

Good reading all the entries of Liverpool 08 much more interesting because I know Dave (Waterboy) good luck Jon Langford

10. Chris Nuttall, Huddersfield, West Yorks 05 October 2007

Very entertained to hear about Liverpool’s exploits and the choreagraphed manoeuvres in the Atlantic Ocean. I bet this never happened to Dame Ellen! You had to be on the helm didn’t you dad! I expect thoughts were rife from the rest of the crew “thank God it wasn’t me”! Love from Chris xx

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