Steel cabin with rounded window

When I saw a ship on the horizon, I immediately took out my hand-held radio and similarly to previous days, I made a pan-pan call. Unlike before, I got a response right away. I was told that the MV HARU was coming in my direction and asked to give my coordinates. I wanted to send them through DSC but they told me to read the coordinates out loud which I did. I repeated them once more and saw how the ship was approaching when it suddenly changed its course. I didn’t understand what was happening and to my question about the situation they wanted me to repeat my exact location again. I explained that they should continue the same course as before. And so I did several times alternately on the left and right of the ship’s side. They finally noticed my vessel about a mile away from their ship and asked if I was able to lead my vehicle next to their ship’s side. I thought I could try it with one of the half attached gears. I pulled out the sea anchor, shifted into gear and started to drive. The hydraulic engine was making strange noises because more oil than necessary had probably leaked from the broken hose. It was very difficult to control the vehicle. I didn’t dare to add gas since I was afraid it would rip it off completely and the car didn’t turn right when using an idle gear. Yet, despite all the problems, I still managed to get the vehicle next to the ship.

They had prepared a lift basket. By radio, with hand gestures and speaking loudly, I tried to explain to the crew members on the main deck that they also needed to lift up the vehicle! They asked how heavy it was and I guessed it weighed around four tons, including the water that had leaked into it. Unfortunately, their cranes could not lift things that were more than three tons and my vessel seemed to be heavier. While the sailors were talking to me and to each other about what to do, in a language I didn’t understand, one of them had already thrown a rope around the Amphibear’s frame and was pulling it closer. Before I managed to react, it was too late. Although I jumped out the door, ran to the other side and tried to push the vehicle further away from the ship, there was nothing I could do anymore. HARU and AMPHIBEAR collided sideways. After the collision, I pushed my vehicle away and released the rope. They invited me to board the ship and leave my vessel behind. I had to think quickly. It was the only ship I had seen since leaving the harbour. Even if I could have repaired the gear, it probably wouldn’t have taken me to Praia, the tilt was gradually increasing, I hadn’t found the cause of leakage and there was no chance to get the water out of the feedthroughs. In addition, the air pump broke. And importantly was the fact that the HARU had changed its course to come to help me and stood there waiting for me, which was very expensive for them. I decided to go, and leave the Amphibear behind.

A mouse next to an elephant. Although HARU was not a very big ship, the Amphibear still appeared tiny next to it. If those two collide with each other, it is not hard to guess which one would be the victim here. The fuel canisters were all over the left pontoon, which continued to float even with all that extra weight on it.

I grabbed a hold of their rope. We temporarily tied up the Amphibear and then I climbed into the lift basket, taking only two bags with me. A crane lifted me quickly onto the deck. Standing up there I realised that even if the crane could lift the vehicle, there would be no place on the deck where to put the Amphibear. The Boatswain spoke English and looking at my two bags asked if that was all. He saw all the other things that I had left behind. I replied that I wasn’t sure how much I was allowed to bring on board. It came out that I could take much more and hence, I descended back to the Amphibear. I started to cut the lashing belts so that the crew could pull up my equipment: all boxes, a lifeboat and other things of value, even stuff from the glove compartment. The vehicle was rather empty in the end. At one point, I lost my balance and fell into the water while holding a big box. Luckily, I had fastened the safety ropes on the rear of the vehicle properly (perpendicularly between the pontoons) and so they caught me in time. I didn’t get everything wet nor have to let go of the box.

When I left the car, I noticed that one of the side windows had remained open and I had forgotten to switch on the anchor light. The Estonian flag was also still flying. I didn’t know if I had to lower it or not when abandoning a ship. I had an empty feeling but I wasn’t sad. Somewhere deep inside me I felt relieved that it was all over and I could see my family again. I took a couple of pictures with my mobile phone, then the mooring rope was cut and there my vessel went. The HARU let the Amphibear drift away and then we headed for Mindelo. They gave me a spare cabin, brought my things there and told me to see the captain. I asked permission to first take off my wet clothes and only sent my passport to the captain. I changed clothes and wrote a message that I had abandoned the Amphibear and was on my way to Mindelo.

The captain was an old Japanese man. He didn’t speak English and communicated with me through a third mate who was a young Filipino. I found out later that all but the captain and the first mate came from the Philippines. To show my gratitude, I gave my saltwater fishing rod to the captain as a gift. After a few questions, the report was done. I also wanted to know how much their help was going to cost me and they promised to find it out by contacting the office. It turned out that I owed them nothing and so I only had to cover the costs of travelling back home. Thank you HARU!

During all the paperwork I had a chance to take a look at the navigation bridge. Already the switch panel was bigger than one side of the Amphibear. All devices were mounted on the separate control consoles and to my surprise, most of them were numeric and not graphic. Even the AIS, name of the ship, its course and distance were numeric. A big table played also an important role in the management of the ship because on the table was laying a nautical chart where the course and all the events were written. Next to it were the paper logbooks. Everything was so clear, in order, well-functioning, grand and traditional.

And the entire ship looked like that table – clear signs, clean and nice. Someone knocked at my door and announced that it was time for lunch. I ate at the same table with the officers. Oh, what delicious dishes! A warm meatloaf made of pure meat and served with rice and salad. I surprisingly didn’t have any appetite on the Amphibear, but on board of the Haru I ate everything that was served. Of course, I was also rather exhausted. The first time I climbed up the stairs to the fourth floor to the navigation bridge it got me panting. To express my appreciation to the cook, I gave him most of the food I had. It wasn’t anything very valuable but still offered some new combinations of flavours.

The Haru is a proper ship – clean with a friendly crew and a spare cabin for a castaway. This is the way home for someone who had abandoned his own ship: safe, kind and surrounded by walls.

Back in my cabin, I looked through a tiny porthole of that iron ship and I felt how my old life was slowly returning. Everything seemed simple and clear – you buy tickets, you go back home and then to work and live happily till the end. I started with a heavy heart to clean my things that were damaged by seawater, organise and repack them. It took me several hours and when I finished it was already evening. My motivation to do something, and good mood, returned after learning that my home support team was working hard to help me. Erki sent me a message, saying that our only chance was the Norwegian ship, the Geoholm, that was soon going to pass near the Amphibear (they didn’t manage to organise a towboat). On the navigation bridge, I got no connection with the Geoholm. Their office number didn’t reply (it was Sunday) and I couldn’t find the satellite telephone number. In the end, the support team calculated that the two ships, moving in opposite directions, were going to have the closest range of 23-24. The VHF radiotelephone signals don’t reach very far, when the distance is around 10 miles, then two ships going in opposite directions cover it often in half an hour, meaning that altogether there is an hour for communication.

At 10:30 pm I had become anxious because there was still no connection even after the second trial. But before midnight the ship appeared on AIS and we could see its location. Luckily, the person on call was a friendly third mate who helped me to get in touch with the Norwegian ship and finally we succeeded. After receiving the coordinates, they went to wake up the captain of the Geoholm. While we were waiting, the third mate suddenly began to talk to the Norwegian crew in his mother tongue. He later told me that Filipinos work on every ship. I guess it helped a lot because the Geoholm’s captain was well-informed. A little sleepy, very calm and thoughtful, he promised to see what they could do and also talk to the people in the office. I sent a message to my support team with all the information I had and went to bed after midnight. I had to get up at 5:00 am the following morning in order to be in the harbour at 6:00 am.

Unloading the equipment’s boxes to go to the harbour – this time sadly without the Amphibear.

The Haru anchored in Mindelo. There are a lot of cranes but none of these can lift the Amphibear. Haru is a well-managed ship. It carried frozen tuna fish from Cape Town to Mindelo. Thank you for all the help and hospitality!

Translated by Luisa Translation Agency

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Endless choppiness of Atland

I selected departure day according to weather forecast, so that strong wind should ease for next day and then rise again. This was only window of weaker wind on coming week. Departure was delayed. I could excuse it by one cargo vessel entering the port, but it just did take some more time to finish all preparations. Added one more safety rope for fuel canisters. Most of canisters were tidy packed between aluminium and inflatable pontoon, partly in water floating at their own forming flat bottom between inflatable and aluminium pontoons. And no problems with canisters there. Only some on pontoons needed adjustment during cruise, as few waves hit these hard.

One hour late started to pick up the anchor, but in vain. Wind was so strong, I could not get it. As using engine would result rope around propeller when done alone I did not dare to use power. Did take the rest, eat some pies. Then knowing situation did take better position for more pull and got the anchor out of muddy bottom. Waved to Arnaldo and Buck on shore and headed the ocean. Wind strong there also, waves three meters. But not so bad downwind. Until I started to feel, that may be the pies were not so good at all. Then felt like had whole life eaten bad pies. Then puked. Seasickness was there. Then did something usuful, but after some minutes discovered myself sitting and staring on waves. And then puked. And then after break, yes, I puked. So, serious seasickness continued for two days. Did not eat or drink, only some drops of water. As sickness was bad, decided to make break and stay in sea anchor at the evening of first day and day after also. Had to prepare myself before heading and spend night at anchored Amphibear. Maybe would result less seasickness. But you never know. Inside Amphibear is like inside washing machine.

Common Atlantic here has 12 knots wind and 2m waves. For me there was on offer 20 knots wind and 3m waves. Not too bad, but not good either.

The wind howls around the car and waves are three meter high, but nothing I could do about it. Some waves are five meters also. Luckily long ones, not storm breakers. Occasionally some break, but very few to the car. No slamming on body, just some canisters on top of pontoons get serious hits. Sea anchor does the job, but of course at ancor more waves and wave shakes more than cruising downwind. But no cruising, seasickness is so bad, that rest is needed.

Headed on in third day. Not totally well, but health was improving and decided to continue. Eat my first food, one orange for breakfast. Driven few hours, course pilot did sound warning message - can not hold course. Hand steering did not work also. Went to see the situation, it looked like disaster. One of the drives was below waterline, tilted on strange angle. Other seemed more or less ok, just bounced from side to side. Did take the swim. Situation was pretty bad. One of the drives totally broken off, hanging on hydraulic tubes. Other drive bracket lower part broken and cracks on upper side. And me still weak and still seasick.

Launched sea anchor again and started to pull onboard the lose drive. Not easy task. Drive is not too heavy, 58kg but waves bounce it violently and every gain on pulling it onboard is taken back by next wave. Strong hydraulic tubing has its own ideas about drive position. Finally after pulling and tieing, did take front winch of the car, and in rhythm of waves pulled drive onboard. Separated the drive from hydraulic system. And dived one more time to find possible punctures at the pontoon, where the drive was loose in waves. Did not find anything significant.

Strong hydraulic tubing and waves make lifting the drive to mission impossible. Finally front winch of the car helped to clear the situation.

For heading forward or back to Praia there was one drive left. However, it was obvious that without additional supports it would be matter of hours for break off. Had to plan the repair. It was simple modification needed. There are needed two wooden supports between pontoon and drive and then load strap to pull drive against these supports. But night is coming, exhausted, I ate my first proper food since start, hundred grams of canned tuna fish and went for asleep.

The morning wind eased a little and I felt better also. Started to prepare wooden support from my only wood plank, the support of bridge between pontoons. To lunchtime pieces were ready for first try. Some more preparations and to swimming tour. Repair almost impossible. Rear end of pontoons moves up and down so violently, that most of time I have to take care of myself, to not get hit or stuck hand between pontoon and drive. So, different methods, testing, setting fixing and finally plates were somehow in place. Installed load strap, but as twilight coming did not start driving. Planned frequent inspection and it is much easier in daylight. And I did not remember, it was Christmas Eve...

Slept not well. Usually wake up here 10-12 times per night, change position and sleep again, but not this night. And bad news in the morning. The load strap is cut by the sharp edges of drive overnight. And my supports are floating on thin safety rope, I fortunately had tied. Modified supports for better fit, and to swimming again. Hopeless, waves are big and can not set support in place. There is not much places to fix it, and it is tricky to get drive away, place support and let drive back to hold it.

Had small rest of swim sitting on pontoon. Look at rear end, and Amphibear is tilted to rear - right. Wave runs over pontoon every time. Obvious, there is leak. The loose drive had punctured rear chamber of right pontoon. Dropped the left drive repair attempts and prepared to pump water out of right pontoon. First had to pump out some fuel, from left pontoon. Then move pontoon cap with hose through, from left pontoon to underwater cap of right rear pontoon chamber. Quick operation succeeded, not much additional water was let into pontoon. Started slow pumping process and situation improved. But again getting dark, and too much for me to go for repair again.

In the morning of second Christmas day I woke up in depressed mood. Could not start any action, exhausted, still little seasick. Had my minutes to think it over. And sent message to support team - need tow to Praia for proper repair. There are just too many tasks arising and too few hands to solve these. Even, if I can fix broken drive, I will not know how lasting it will be was important consideration also. Support team, Kristjan Kalda and Erki Koldits acted as needed. Clear messages to me and methodical work started to find tow on holidays. Mood improved, went to repair again. No results, whatever method I try. At the evening made a little different, step by step plan for installing the support. Improved my bed also, set some more supports and night sleep was improved indeed.

Next morning again drive repair. And miracle happened. I got support on place. For duration of one wave period, as next did throw it away again. At least i knew, it had right shape. I just need to fix it until I can pull the drive by. At lunchtime I looked, the tilt is really bad. Enthusiastically repairing drive did not pay enough attention. Pumped air into pontoon, to get some pressure inside. After half an hour of pumping, pump stopped working. Broke. Bad news as this pump is needed for inflatable pontoons. And if tilt is too bad, then inflatables are important. One puncture, and I will have trouble. So pumped out as much water as I could. Still something wrong, Amphibear tilted but no more water comes out.

If waves run over pontoon with closed chambers, this does not harm. If waves do not leave the pontoon, there is trouble. At least no sharks around, as had Ra I in Atlantic in similar situation.

Next morning tilt was really bad. Repositioned some more fuel canisters, and see some yellow half meter fish are sending Amphibear. Some fishing would not harm, but situation is too serious for fishing. Started pumping one more time, but what does not come out of pontoon is is water. Maybe hose is somehow in upper corner, maybe something else. Do not understand. Support team already proposed to get me rescued. Matter of 2 hours as they said. Still insisted for tow or ship with crane. And got notice in hour, ship with crane on the way. Prepared few things for lifting and there is ship on horizon. This was first ship I had visual contact, week after leaving Praia.

Status update Brazil

Happy New Year to all Amphibear fans! Arrived at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A lot of logistics & organising. No time for samba.