02/02 Eskom conquers new frontiers

Trips between Hout Bay and Saldhana seem designed to test our strength. Adam, Andries and I have yet to do it in under 20 hours – in theory it should take only 10. All sorts of goodies have gone wrong but none so incredible as last night. For the first time in 2 months I can sympathise with 'all ye land lubbers' and your endless struggle to share electricity.

We were about 2nm (nautical miles) from Saldhana @ 2300. My watch had just ended and as we could make out the twinkle of lights on the horizon, I decided to catch a nap before we’d moor for the night. All was good – Andries on watch and Adam at the helm. My head had not touched the pillow before Andries wakes me with one of those ‘come quick!’ looks on his face…

LAND DISAPPEARED!

One minute there was a city of lights, the next – nothing. Here’s what’s really ridiculous: no lighthouses! I kid you not. Now, there is something fundamentally wrong with that. Of course, this coupled with the fact that most of our instruments were out (we were going to get them repaired in Saldhana) meant that dodging land was to become a risky business. So we made the call and decided not to chance it. For the rest of the night as the a mean fog rolled in (accompanied by sub-zero temperatures) we ping-ponged ourselves up and down about a mile off shore – 1 hour east, 1 hour west, etc.

I tag-teamed the night with Adam in 1 hour shifts and we eventually made it into the Harbour @ 0600. Maddness, I tell you. Only in Africa will we load shed electricity on lighthouses on one of the most intense coastlines in the world. I’m loving it!

IMAGE: Adam (at the helm) Andries and I feeling positive as we leave Hout Bay.

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