We finally Repair Our Lifeline

We finally Repair Our Lifeline

Thursday 18th February 2021

I think it was in Portsmouth, VA on November 1st of last year that I dropped the “Gate-Eye” from our starboard side lifeline into the water. This one inch piece of metal screws onto the lifeline and is an integral part of the system. Without it we were forced to make do with a length of low stretch rope as a lifeline, which worked ok but wasn’t as secure as the stainless steel. I ordered a replacement part whilst still in Portsmouth, but it didn’t arrive until after we had left. The marina forwarded the package on to Rod in Rhode Island, who then sent it onto to Paul in Florida and we picked it up just before Christmas. It didn’t fit. We ordered an alternative but once again that part didn’t arrive until after we had left Vero Beach so Paul and Fran forwarded it to Tasha in Wyoming who brought it down to Key West. This second replacement didn’t fit either. I couldn’t see any alternatives on the web that I thought would work and we were resigned to replacing the whole lifeline when we get back to RI. But yesterday we spotted a marine hardware store only 100 yards from our boat and this morning we took the lifeline in and explained the problem. They too were unable to identify a suitable part and so they cut the remnants of the existing fitting off the wire and swaged on a complete new unit for a total cost of $30 including parts and labor. Three and half months of waiting and twenty minutes of action and we now have our stainless steel lifeline back in action. What a saga! Well that was the real excitement of the day … sorry not much else to say … apologies for being boring!

p.s. Just heard from Tasha that she tested negative for Covid. This test wasn’t five days from the last contact with McKenzie and so she needs an additional negative test in order to be cleared to instruct her course. Interestingly she was also offered a first dose vaccination today, but has to wait to clear this immediate quarantine period. I presume she qualifies for priority as an educator. We gather that McKenzie is starting to feel better which is great.

Mike

24 42.220 N, 81 06.131 W

A few shots showing mostly charter boats off Fort Zachary Taylor at sunset this evening

"Sebago" off Fort Zachary Taylor at sunset

Catamaran as sun dips below clouds ... it wasn't a great sunset (500 mm lens)

"Breezin" is captained by Dennis and sails charters off the dock we are on. I mentioned previously that Dennis is amazing at backing his boat back into the slip! 

Social distancing Key West style! Masks are required for boarding ... after that it looks like a shit-show