Anasazi Girl is rafted to a fleet of expedition sailing vessels at the Club Naval de Yates Micalvi. This is the second winter the boat will spend dismasted on the island. Our family will be the only full-time live-aboard crew at the Micalvi during the 2015 Austral winter season.
We have sailed many ocean miles together as a family since June 2011 and have succeeded very well at managing risk on our ocean projects. However, on our most recent voyage attempt (one we hoped would complete our family circumnavigation) the odds finally fell against us. As James puts it, “The wave with his name on it finally got him, but spared him because his family was on board.”
In March 2014, on a non-stop East-bound passage attempt from Auckland to Lorient, we dismasted our vessel 21 days out of Auckland, approximately 300 nm West of Diego Ramirez Islands.
Anasazi Girl performed perfectly – doing what she was designed & built to do – she kept our family safe. Three days after losing our rig, with assistance from the Armada de Chile, both our family and vessel were brought safely into port.
We lost our carbon wing mast, composite standing rigging, main sail, two head sails, deck hardware, radar & Sea-Me, and running rigging. We had no insurance nor have the funds (100,000 Euros) to make a complete replacement of our losses. Though lacking in funds, we are fortunately strong in spirt and rich in friendship. Complicated technical projects are our forte. As Michael Hennessy reminded us, “If anyone one can deal with this one, you guys can.”
Forty-eight professionals from 12 countries in the marine industry donated their time & intellectual knowledge to help us come up with a safe alternative solution. The challenge is complicated due to the high righting moment of the vessel and the remote location in which there is a complete lack of marine services and supplies.
After searching worldwide, Bart from NZ Rigging remembered an aluminum wing section that could still be at Buzz Ballenger’s shop in Watsonville, California. The tube was originally shipped from New Zealand and was damaged in transit. It was still there after 12 years. The usable section turned out to be 15.2 meters, the same luff length of a Class 40 main cut off at the first reef. (An explanation of this technical solution and the people who helped us to follow. Stay tuned.)
For approximately 30,000 USD, we will have a workable solution to finish our circumnavigation. This route takes us back into the Southern Ocean, sailing East to meet the SE Trades on the African side of the South Atlantic High and onward to the Equator. We are working to pay for this solution.
Many people (friends & strangers) have asked how they can help. If you wish to participate, go here: SUPPORT US. – James Burwick.
