Still searching

Tim Kent's shore support team report on the Around Alone skipper's search for his abandoned boat

The never-say-die attitude continues and the search is on, again, for Everest Horizontal. After a frustrating day on land yesterday, Tim is back at sea in search of the boat.  We believe good fortune is close at hand.

As we have seen around the world, people reached out, once again to assist Tim and Everest. Steve and Suzanne Hollis of Ocean Sails pulled together with Tim and others to round up another option for a vessel and additional crew members. They were able to secure help from a new 40ft sport fishing boat, complete with new radar and new equipment. Tim is also armed with a satellite phone. In addition, they have divers on
board, including one of the original divers, prepared for the journey.

The captain of the sport fishing boat gave up a charter to assist, charging EH a portion of the lost business and a very fair hourly rate. Steve, despite being swamped at his sail loft, gave up his time to assist, and several others did the same.  Tim is now at sea as well armed as possible to rescue Everest. They are currently searching a grid pattern that includes the latest coordinates and the set/drift calculations.

We are anxiously awaiting word on the boat. With the sat phone on board, we will hear from him as soon as there is any news to report.  There is a firm plan in place on how to deal with the expected situation. For example, if the rig (mast) is still in place, the sails will need to be removed. There is a plan to remove the sails from the mast and the headstay and haul them onto the salvage boat. They will then attempt to right the boat and tow it in. Even without the weight of the missing keel bulb, the boat will still float upright with the rig if the water ballast tanks are full. If the mast is no longer attached to the boat, they will cut away any remaining rigging and attempt to right the boat. If for some reason the boat cannot be flipped over, it will be towed in upside down as it is now. There are several options and only time will tell.

For now, Tim is in good hands and doing the best that can be done under the circumstances. He is again fortunate to have people that understand the passion and drive behind the entire program and are willing step up to help, as so many have over the past year. Let's hope the phone call we are waiting for is just a few minutes away!

The Shore Crew