Downfall and Comeback
It has been four months since the collision with the unlit buoy at night during the last hours of the passage through the English Channel to Brest. A lot has happened, but the main and most important thing is, that Wolf is ready to go again and stronger than ever before.
What Happened?
On the 18th of October 2024, at around 2300, I collided with an unlit waterway mark in the “Chenal du Four” while crossing this section between the island of Oussant and the French mainland at night. Additionally to being unlit, the steel buoy was very hard to spot on the chart as it blended in with the background color of the map.
After the collision happened, while going under engine at about 6 knots, water came flowing into the fore cabin. Soon I decided to set off a mayday call while continuing under engine. Being escorted by an SNSM lifeboat to Camaret-sur-Mer, about an hour away, Wolf got hauled out in the middle of the night by the local boatyard.
Time To Reflect
The next weeks I’m landlocked here in the beautiful little town of Camaret-sur-Mer while the first steps to repair the damage are undertaken. The first three days on land are hell on earth. Below deck, everything is wet and cold. All the stowing areas below cabin seats are filled with water. Luckily the aft cabin is mostly dry and provides a place to sleep. I have to force myself to take on the work and after two long days of work, Wolf is finally cozy and livable again.
Meanwhile, I have time to explore the surroundings of the town with my road bike which I carried onboard since departing in the Netherlands three weeks ago. Brittany is a beautiful place. Despite the cold, since it’s late autumn now here, the rugged coast with its many bays and vast green fields gives out a sense of freedom. I spent many days exploring the peninsula of Crozon on my bike. One time I get surprised by heavy rain and get lost in the countryside. After an hour of searching my way out of the little roads between the many fields, I finally reach the main road again only to find myself in front of the same construction market where I left an hour ago. Great! From the two roads that lead from here, I guess I only have one option left and finally find myself back onboard an hour later.
During my time in Camaret, I meet some amazing people. Two Frenchmen are restoring two old, little fiberglass boats. Despite the cold temperatures they go surfing. I can only be amazed! In the marina on the other side of Camaret, I meet a German who is overwintering here on a catamaran. But not just any cat. It’s a James Wharram design. Those are unique, self-built but sea-worthy boats inspired by the double canoes of the Polynesians.
Also, the boatyard area itself is full of life. There is an elderly dog that knows me by now. Every time I come to the boatyard and stop my bike next to Wolf he comes over and demands his cuddles.
The Repair Finally Starts And The Journey Back To Austria
After about a month of living at the boatyard area onboard, the repair finally starts. One morning I wake up, open the forehatch, and see the staff of the boatyard removing the destroyed pulpit. Finally! It’s great to feel that after things standing still since the accident, they now finally start to move.
It has now become Christmas and the time has come to temporarily say goodbye to Wolf and attend the journey back home to Austria until the repairs are finished. The night before departing on my 31-hour journey back to Austria I clean up Wolf on and below deck. I leave Camaret with exactly zero minutes of sleep the next day. The journey goes surprisingly smoothly and I really enjoy it. At midnight I change buses in Paris. Never been there and unfortunately I don’t have the chance to visit the Eiffel Tower as the next bus leaves soon. The next evening I arrive in my hometown of Graz where my dad is already awaiting me.
Time At Home
I’m at home for about a month. The upside is that I can enjoy a bit of the winter in the Alps. We go on a lot of ski tours. I grew up in the mountains I missed this while sailing. I’m looking forward to possibly some ski mountaineering in Patagonia further down the line. But first Wolf has to be ready. This happens shortly after New Years. Happy 2025! This will be the year.
After saying goodbye to my family I’m back on the journey to Brittany. Saying goodbye to Austria was more difficult this time than ever before. I don’t exactly know why. After 31 hours, way too much highway pause area coffee and sandwiches, the local bus from Brest finally rounds the corner of the port of Brest and I can see the boatyard. While I’m fighting my way to Wolf with my four pieces of luggage a worker of the boatyard kindly takes I to the boat by car. People are just amazing!
Back Onboard
Waking up in the fore cabin with the first view being up the mast through the forehatch is amazing! Over the last days on land I get some work onboard done such as cleaning and doing the cabeling of the radar, which was installed dby the boatyard. I told them I wanted to do the cabeling myself since I know where I have to lead the cables as I have installed the whole electrical system onboard myself.
The the day to which I have looked forward and at some times like directly after the collision would have never held for possible finally comes. Wolf gets moved out of her spot at the boatyard area where she was standing for the last months. Soon she’s on the crane and I’m motoring across the bay to the marina of Camaret where a Frenchman helps me fasten the lines.
A Fresh New Start
Here I am standing on Wolfs foredeck like nothing happened. Temperatures go below zero degree celsius now at night but the preparations to continue my voyage are on full throttle. Below deck it is beautifully warm by the heater. I’m now preparing Wolf and myself for the next passage. Nonstop from Camaret to the Canary Islands. Around 12 days at sea.
The Canary Islands always have been my first really big goal and are the first stopover really far away, so I’m eagerly looking forward and dreaming about those islands in the Atlantic.
