We departed MacDonald Island in a early morning mist. It was
still a pretty setting that we realty didn’t want to leave. Each time we leave
somewhere we are that much closer to heading home. The time is going way too
fast.
Our run to John Henry’s was uneventful and once we were
docked and settled in we had lunch at LaVerne’s again. When we returned to the
boats we discovered some excitement at the other end of the bay. A 70’ yacht,
Bellisimo, was taking on water with its bow high in the air. One of our EYC
club members, Daniel and Sara Solomon, took Al and I in their dinghy so I could
go get some pictures and we could see what was happening. The RCMP Search and
Rescue team were there pumping water out as fast as it was coming in but at
least they were able to maintain and keep it from sinking. When it all looked
stable we returned to the dock and soon after we saw the Coast Guard arrive
with their large pumps. They were able to temporarily patch the hole and pumped
out the water so that it was secure and could be dealt with later.
We had seen this boat come in to Princess Louisa while we
were there and they departed soon after us. As they exited the channel to go
south they cut the corner too tight and hit the rocks. They were able to make
it to the bay we were in so that they could get the help they needed.
While I was up at the office I heard three people talking
and it turned out they were three of the passengers. The owner of the boat had
problems with his passport and was not able to come up with four others to join
them. Instead, his uncle was piloting it and they had hired a first mate. The
other passengers who I talked to were his brother and his wife and probably his
mother. They had been evacuated from the boat and a float plane was on its way
to transport them somewhere for lodging. The boat’s owner had planned to fly up
tomorrow to join the rest of the family. It was so sad to see this beautiful
boat sinking and to think about how the uncle must feel as well as the owner
and the rest of the family. I hope that it all works out smoothly with the
insurance. I imagine it will be a nightmare for them before it is all settled.
Our day ended with an invitation from the Solomons to have
dinner on their boat. They cooked for all 8 of us and we had a wonderful dinner
of chicken enchiladas. It was fun visiting with them and sharing stories.
