The Worst Wave

We’ve been through a lot in our six years living on our boat. Between Sava and Go, we’ve lost our autopilot, torn sails, and dragged anchor. Those problems pale in comparison to our latest incident. The worst wave we’ve ever been hit by crashed into the bow of our boat and smashed our forward facing windows. Our boat flooded and soaked everything with salt water, us and Domino included. We’re still drying out and we don’t know what’s next.

We Got Hit by the Worst Wave

Since returning from Tasmania, we started making our way north, hoping to get back to some of our favorite parts of Queensland and see new ones. Well, we exited a bar on a pretty calm day, heading from Camden River to Port Macquarie, when a huge wave struck our boat. It was so strong it knocked out our front salon and galley windows, spewing tons of salt water into Go. Within a second, we lived through the worst disaster we’ve experienced on board in six years.

Living on a boat, we expect to get wet. We have waterproof bags for our phones when we go for dinghy rides and we wear a lot of quick dry clothing. But this was a thousand times more extreme than we’d expect while transiting on a calm day, because things went so incredibly wrong.

Salt Water Bath

Our electronics were floating on our floors in our boat in salt water. An entire container of tea bags smashed open, turning the cold salt water tea colored and spreading through our aft port cabin. Electronics, food, books, and everything we owned that had been loose in the salon and galley were strewn in the salt water. Domino was soaked. She’s been our cat companion for 17 years and that was the first time she got wet. She didn’t like it.

Our best bet, despite the salt water floating everywhere and the immediate shut down of one of our engines, was to keep going north. Port Macquarie has a marina and haulout, whereas Camden Haven has much less boating infrastructure. Plus, we were only a couple of days ahead of a predicted cyclone bearing down a few thousand miles north of our location. We wanted a safe anchorage and getting hit by the worst wave we’ve ever seen only made us want to get there faster.

Limping in to the Marina

While Brian bailed out the working engine, I contacted the marina in Port Mac to book a berth. There wasn’t much wind, but we put up the sail to add some speed and we kept in touch with marine rescue along the way. When we did make it to the Port Macquarie bar, Brian steered us through and we were both as anxious as we’ve ever been. As the marina staff knew our circumstances, there were three of them waiting at the dock to tie us up. Within seconds of tying to the dock, the skies opened and a rain squall began. Perfect timing.

Getting Go Dry

Our first goal after docking was to minimize the further effects of the worst wave hitting our boat. With residual cyclone rains expected for several days, we had to cover those gaping holes.

Brian grabbed a tarp and we taped it down over the fore as best we could. At least the pouring rain washed the salt water off me and Brian.

Soon after, some of the guys from the marina yard came with some thicker covers and tape.

Repairs and Replacements

Salt water got everywhere. Most of our electronics are destroyed and at least one engine. Our propane stove got soaked, as did our watermaker. We are getting quotes for insurance and then we’ll wait. The worst wave hit our boat and we don’t know what comes next. The good news is we are all safe and healthy. Go is not so great. Stay tuned. We’re as curious to see what comes next as you might be.