Conrad Humphreys diary

Holy heart failure after Vendee skipper discovers sheared bolt on deck

This week has tested me physically more than any other so far this trip. The chafe on the = cap shrouds required a second and third climb to eventually cover it. Yesterday I found a sheared bolt at the base of the mast. My heart was in my mouth when I immediately assumed it was from the forestay pin. Without hesitation, I grabbed my climbing gear and threw some essential tools into a rucksack and started climbing the rig. I had no time to lose - if we lost the forestay there was a high chance we would lose the rig and the forecast was bad with a new low due to arrive in under six hours.

My experience up the rig earlier this week still fills me with dread, but I knew I had to make this climb and quickly. I de-powered the boat and sent her downwind for fear of a sudden gust like last time. This made the boat very upright and the mast was hard to climb with every wave throwing me around the front. I strained my groin trying to pinch the mast between my legs (luckily the pain did not arrive until after the climb) I reached the forestay and was hugely relieved to see all three pins in place with their bolts. I looked above; the only other place this mystery bolt could have come from was the main halyard dead end which was a further 3m above my head, the exposed part of the climb. I scanned the horizon for any suspect clouds; there was the front behind and to the north. I had no time to waste. I stepped on the jumar loop and pulled myself the last few metres to the mast top. All was fine; this bolt was in place too. Where had it come from?

I quickly slipped down the mast, descending faster than ever, passing and checking on my way down. Back on deck I was shattered, my arms were completely pumped and my groin strain was starting to ache. I was soaked with sweat so after setting the boat back on course I went below and changed into a dry set of thermals. I phoned Joff. We both racked our brains as to where this mystery bolt had come from. Joff casually mentioned the goose neck fitting had two bolts attaching it. Bingo! I eased the mainsheet and put a new bolt through, securing the pin with an additional Vectran lashing for safety. Within ten minutes of arriving on deck the wind veered into the north and quickly rose to 25kts. I'd been lucky. My mast climb may not have been necessary after all, but had it been the forestay, I might have been writing a very different diary.

Cheers Conrad
06:02 Jan 10th 2005
Pos. 52 39. 78S 130 52. 90W