Yesterday was one of the most hectic day in my life. We dragged anchor and crashed into another boat.
The day started like any other. Everyone got up and did there morning routines. My mom worked on the internet, my dad drank his coffee thing of what he should do, and Kyle and I keeping ourselves busy.
My dad decided he'll fix our outboard motor for our dingy. He quickly got to work. He would be outside all day so none of us really needed to check if we drag anchor. My mom, who is always worried about everything, still did the occasional check up.
At about midday my mom did another check on the anchor. We were fine. My mom didn't even sit back in her seat when my dad yelled. We all ran to see what's happening. And there it was, as if I was in a movie. The thoughts in my mind went, "this is not real", "you'll wake up soon". When I didn't wake up I had to run to save the boat. We had dragged anchor and were headed straight into the bow of another boat.
My mom and I ran to try and push the boat way, Kyle got the keys to my dad so he could try and start the motors. But it was too late. We had already crashed into the boat and we were hooked around his anchor chain and bridle.
Kyle then ran to get fenders and my mom called the NSRI. They immediately responded and sent a crew. There were two fishing boats out at the time. We called them to help and only one stopped to help.
What felt like hours of waiting the NSRI, the arrived. The owners of the other boat also arrived and we started to have a whole crew to help. The NSRI took control straight away and started planning to try unhook the boats.
They called for back up and went and fetched more people. Once they came back we jumped into action.
"We are going to drop the bridle and anchor chain and pull your boat off with the NSRI boat" said the guy who seemed to be in charge. So we did just that.
We started moving but we were still hooked. The bridle was still stuck between our rudder. So we had to cut it off completely. And because of the bridle we had no rudder control. So we couldn't move on our own. The fishing boat gladly said he'll tow us to a mooring buoy.
Once hooked up to the buoy the NSRI left. And the fishing boat went to do whatever they were originally doing.
The NSRI only put one rope onto the mooring buoy. We knew this would not hold our boat. We have to double up on lines.
We were now alone to do this, so we brain stormed. Our first plan was for me to swim to the front of the boat and tie the lines, but the current would drag me away. So we tied a rope around me. I felt the water and it was ice cold. I would freeze.
We need a new plan. We decided to drop the dinghy and pull it to the front of the boat. My dad and I were on the dingy and he held us in place as I tried to tie the knots.
After we drowned in all the water that splashed into our faces we finally started pulling the dinghy back. Once aboard we started to relax and look at our damage.
The biggest problem was our non working rudder. We have to buy a wet suit before we can fix that.
We spent the night doing anchor watches and my mom and dad got very little sleep.
Today we when to the club to find everyone and thank them and apologise. We didn't find the boat owner but we found the fishermen. He told us that we have to pay him for his help and it will cost R1000. We would be happy to pay, but it was way too much.
We met a lovely couple and they bought us some drinks and spent the evening having fun.
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