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Rescued at sea!
Yesterday we planned to anchor in a small bay on the north of Menorca with a brisk southerly wind blowing. When we arrived we found the unmarked rock in the bay with our keel so decided to move on to Cuidadella. As we rounded the top corner of the island we were head to wind in a force 6 with 3 metres waves so decided to motor the last 3 miles. With a mile to go the engine died. It started again but kept dying. Out with the sails to head away from the lee shore and we then hove to. For non sailors this means setting the sails to oppose each other. We then issued a pan pan and considered our options. Entering the port under sail was very dangerous if not impossible. The ferry terminal seemed our best bet and then drop the anchor. This would not be popular as would block the ferries. Fortunately our pan pan was answered by Palma MRCC and a lifeboat from Cuidadella dispatched to tow us in. Ian Murray did heroic work on the foredeck to attached the bridle as we approached the rocks. We were then towed into Cuidadella. Large gin and tonics all round.!
Today spent all day removing the diesel bug and the engine is running fine again. Diesel bug is like black jelly and when it finds its way into the pipes it will eventually block them.
Hopefully our return to Majorca will be less eventful tomorrow.
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