We set sail again and Freddie steered us into Deep Bay just a few miles from Jolly Harbour.

We found the perfect spot to anchor off the island of Antigua .The view was magnificent.

The children spent most of the day playing under water.

Charlie.

Annie
REEF RESCUE! Next morning we heard a VHF transmission from Derry and Paul on yacht Jackamy.Whilst crusing 3 miles from Deep Bay, Jackamy had hit and become stranded on a coral reef. In minutes we raised our anchor and took the position of Jackamy. Brian radioed to let them know we would be available if needed and we set off to investigate.

It was all hands on deck, Skipper was planning a rescue!

Annie on depth reading duty.The waters around Antigua are a maze of reefs and shoals.We soon spotted Jackamy stuck fast on the coral reef.

Our own depth gauge was dropping fast!

Lucy Alice, an Oyster 406, was standing by at anchor and surging up and down dangerously with the heavy swell,Ian and Glenda were in contact with us, keeping up moral on Jackamy and ready to assist Miss Tippy if needed.

A rough ride for Lucy Alice.

Jackamy stuck fast.
It was vital for Miss Tippy to get a line to Jackamy before the reef broke through her hull. Freddie volunteered to take out a line and was picked up by Paul in the dinghy. Derry was alone on the reef and the tension was rising!

We were able to communicate on the VHF and yachts for miles around were asked by Skipper to go into radio silence.

Paul back at the helm with Derry and Freddie.

The line firmly attached we began to pull at 600 revs.

Very gradually there was a shift and at 1600 revs and Jackamy slid slowly off her precarious perch with a lot of creaking and groaning on the line.

We were all relieved to see her moving tentatively off the reef.

Annie read our depth out loud all through the rescue and the lowest reading was less than a metre below our own keel.

Mission Accomplished!

The tight line had to be removed quickly.

Jackamy cruising to safe haven.
Paul from Jackamy lost his anchor and chain to the reef once the hull was freed from the coral.Freddie aged 11 from Miss Tippy stayed on Jackamy until safe harbour.Ian from Lucy Alice had to cut away her anchor and lost it along with 365kg of chain as it held fast on the nearby reef and luckily before any damage occured to the boat.
The three yachts motored back against head winds to Deep Bay where we all gathered for a debrief and soothing rum punch!
The drama not yet over whilst repatriating Freddie and in the excitement of the day someone forgot to open the air inlet valve on a dinghy engine which then stranded the crew of 2. Charlie aged 12 volunteered to swim out between the anchored boats to give oars and a tow to the stricken tender!

Derry,Freddie and Charlie in the water.
Next morning the 3 skippers went in search of the 2 lost anchors with GPS coordinates and a challenge on. Brian donned his SCUBA gear whilst Paul and Ian expertly handled yacht and dinghy near to the search site.A few hours later they returned triumphant with having found and lifted both anchors by hand, from 3 and 15 metres deep!
Annie made cookies for the crews .

Annie,Derry,Glenda and the real Lucy Alice.

Amy from Jackamy who had just left for England. We are still waiting to meet Jack !

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