Sorry about the delay in getting the rest of the report for this passage done. We arrived back in Opua, New Zealand at 1:30 AM Thursday morning. We had a beautiful last 2 cruising days on the water. We would have liked to have had a little more wind but you have to be careful what you wish for. As we rounded North Cape (north end of New Zealand) we had an interesting experience.
The winds were very light but the seas were flat calm. We thought that with the seas so calm just a little wind would allow us to sail. We turned the engine off and put the sails out and started sailing. After about an hour we were not making much progress so we decided to put the sails away and motor the rest of the way in. When I attempted to start the engine it wouldn't start. We started going through the check list of things that could prevent it from starting and still had no luck. At just about this moment I got a call on the radio from the New Zealand Navy. I also noticed across the water a Navy warship headed toward our position at flank speed. The Navy radio operator asks us where we were coming from and where we were going. I might add here don't ever think you can sneak into New Zealand waters without being noticed they are watching from the air and sea. After a few more standard questions they ask if we were having a problem. I explained what had happened with the engine and that I was having trouble getting it started. The Captain of the Navy ship came on the line and said he would send help. So as this Navy ship is moving at full speed they lower their tender in the water with 6 personnel aboard to come over to help. In no time they were alongside our boat with 2 ships mechanics, customs and quarantine officers, and an Officer in charge.
When they boarded our boat I am not sure who was more excited the navy guys or Barbara. She had the camera out taking pictures and having them pose one way and then another. They were there on business but you could tell they were really enjoying this. The mechanics went to work trying to figure out what was wrong. They were eager to help but lacking some experience on this type boat. We got out the operators manual and while one read the other went through the engine compartment looking at various fluid levels and checking to see what he could find. I had already done all that but what the heck let them look again. I could see we were not making much progress so I called another cruiser (my golfing buddy, John), who was close by and ask him what I could try. He suggested that I might try laying a screwdriver across the 2 terminals on the back of the starter motor. The mechanics found the starter, and we then used the screwdriver to get the engine started. The mechanics were very happy with their accomplishment and Barbara took some more pictures and then they were off to the mother ship. We decided that we wouldn't stop the engine again until we were at the marina but were pretty sure the problem would not come up again even if we stopped.
That was the excitement of the trip. Other than that it was a calm and peaceful passage. We are now at the Marina in Opua getting the boat worked on and ready for our next journey. It has been a great summer with many memories and we can't wait to head back to the islands next year. This is Destiny standing by on 1-6.
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