4/11/08
I’m leaving. The crews that are staying here a while longer are standing on the shore and waving me goodbye, then the only thing I can see is the adorable landscape of the island. ”Surazo”, the yacht of my Chilean friends, is passing nearby, we are going in the same direction – to Durban, South Africa. We have arranged to talk on the radio later in the night. I’m sailing, into the wind of course, and the waves are short and steep. It’s far from being comfortable, I don’t like Tanasza’s way of dealing with it. I’m getting down to reefing. When I glance at my mates from Surazo, I can see that they are reefing as well. Hmm, it looks at least strange. Well, perhaps it’s some typically Chilean way of manoeuvring. But maybe I should find my telescopes and check if everything is ok... hold on, where are they?
Never mind, they would call me at channel 16 if there was something wrong,
wouldn’t they? Damn, but why did they pull down the whole mainsail while
reefing? I can hear they’re calling, they’ve lost the mainmast. They’re not so far away, I’m with them in a moment. It’s ok, nothing serious has happened. Waves are mercilessly rocking us when two Luises are trying to pull the sail together, stuff the hole in the deck and find what was left from the mast. I’m near them in case they need me. Done. We’re coming back.
Me too? Well, yes, friendship is mainly about responsibility, isn’t it? Their yacht is really old, they have no navigation lights, the engine hardly ever works (and nearly stops when entering a marina). At 2a.m. We moor at 0200 am at a place prepared for large vessels, we tie up all the mess, I make dinner for them and, before they even leave, I fall asleep.