On Sunday the 15th October at midday the yacht CHA-LEE called it at Tristan, on its way to Cape Town South Africa. The yacht wanted diesel fuel, although the weather was deteriorating so the crew (of three South Africans) decided to move to the lee of the island for shelter, as they knew unfavourable weather was coming through by the  forecast, which the islanders can now obtain from the Internet.

CHA-LEE headed to the Easterly side of the island and anchored at Sandy Point and waited all day on Monday.   When the wind was at it strongest CHA-LEE lost her mast. On Tuesday they returned to the Settlement anchorage, where Conrad Glass organized a crew and with the rescue rib manage to give them enough fuel to last them a few days. Only one trip was made during the day as the swell in the harbour was breaking over the breakwater, so it was not safe to continue.

On Wednesday 17th CHA-LEE was still at anchor, although the wind was in the wrong direction ESE.

The yacht will now have to wait until the next vessel, the Edinburgh, comes from Cape Town due to leave on Friday 19th with supplies, to enable the yacht to motor the 1,500 miles to Cape Town. Unfortunately Tristan's harbour is too small and shallow to allow CHA-LEE to come in so she will collect supplies and more fuel from Tristan and continue to seek shelter around the islands until the Edinburgh arrives.

Sarah Glass