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A Coruña – Gibraltar 

10/09/2024 – 20/09/2024 – 746 Nautical miles 

You may notice that I previously said this journey should have taken 6 days when in fact it has taken 11. We didn’t get attacked by orcas but were advised and eventually decided to only sail during light hours as we came down the coast inbetween A Coruña and Lisbon. So, we stopped for 1 night in Sanxenxo and 1 in Cascais, and I welcomed this, as we ended up stopping in Portugal after all. It was nice to feel more at home, speak the language and eat Portuguese food even for just one night. 

What did we do for the rest of the nights you might ask.  This is where the true spirit of sailing comes in. You are reminded that nothing ever goes to plan, and you must adapt and overcome the challenges that come your way. After some beautiful downwind sailing all the way into Cascais, we set off with the idea that we would now sail nonstop to Gibraltar.  

Everything started off so well. We witnessed a gorgeous sunset that evening, good wind, a great meal and dolphins accompanying us into the night as we sailed past the Costa Vicentina and around Sagres. It was nice to see Lagos from afar, and of course I would have liked to stop, but I wouldn’t put my wishes over the planned voyage.  

Wind along the south coast was nowhere near as plentiful as on the west, and so came the motoring. About 3 miles east of Lagos, to everyone’s alarm who saw it, including myself, there was a great big cloud coming from the engine bay into the saloon and out into the cockpit where several of us where on watch. Immediately set into action, although a little bit caught by surprise, we switched the engine off with the emergency cutoff and then assessed what had just happened. 

After confirming there were no flames in the engine bay, the damage was assessed and due to there being no wind at all, it was decided that we would make a PAN PAN call which is an emergency call made when there is a considerable problem that isn’t life threatening. After making several calls at around 2am, we were finally relayed to the coastguard and told that they would be with us in 1 – 2 hours.  

All that we could do in that time was bob around or try to get back as close to Lagos as possible using a little bit of arts and crafts. Through our skipper’s knowledge, we formed a makeshift paddle/rudder using the spinnaker pole and placed it off the stern, taking in turns to push either side in a sort of rowing motion and create some forward thrust.  

This kept us entertained until we were located by the coastguard. Being towed back towards Lagos in disbelief to what had just happened was surreal but reminded me that anything can happen in sailing. As I write this, I am home waiting to set sail again and resume our trip ASAP. For now, the engine must obviously be looked at in more detail and then we will see what can be done.  

There will only be 4 of us leaving from Lagos when there were planned to be 9. Due to the delay, many of the next crew would not be getting into Sainte Maxime in time for their departures, and so have opted to not start at all from Lagos. Additionally, Drew, our skipper has left since he was only supposed to be onboard until Gibraltar and we were meant to be there by today. Germaine, the owner of Escapado and our new skipper will go with us up to Sainte Maxime. Engine problems have been fixed, and we found out it was the alternator belt that had dislodged, cutting fuel and exhaust lines. So luckily in the end, there was no fire, just lots of vapour and smoke.  

Our onward journey was relatively uneventful. Not a lot of wind yet again until we reached the straights of Gibraltar where the wind being channelled through inbetween Iberia and Morocco was strong, but in the wrong direction. Signing off for now and will update what the new plan is for the remainder of the voyage.