Subject: Rope Fouling, Fuel Transfer, and Electronic Gremlins

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Date: Thursday, December 5, 2024 (Day 6 of Passage) Location: South China Sea

Just when you think you've dealt with one issue... welcome to offshore passagemaking! Yesterday, Thursday, turned into another busy day managing the realities of delivering a new yacht.

Déjà Vu: Another Fouled Prop

Early yesterday morning (around 05:30), a familiar slight vibration signaled another problem. Waiting for daylight, we again used the underwater camera to inspect the running gear, this time finding a length of rope wrapped around the port shaft. Fouling propellers with debris is unfortunately a common hazard in many busy waterways, including parts of the South China Sea.


Despite relatively calm seas, the underlying swell still created too much unpredictable movement of the heavy hull for a safe dive attempt. Safety first, always. Plan B activated again: reducing speed to around 5.5 knots, running 1 engine at low RPM to minimise strain and maintain forward motion.

Leveraging the Network & Onboard Logistics

Anticipating this might require professional help, we’ve already leveraged the Yacht Delivery Solutions network. Our agent in Kota Kinabalu has been contacted, and a qualified diver is scheduled to meet us upon arrival to clear both shafts properly. This proactive approach and established network are key parts of our service. The day's main planned task was transferring the 1,260 litres (6 x 210lt drums) of spare diesel from the deck into the main tanks. This requires care – proper filtering, avoiding spills, and managing equipment. The transfer pump worked hard in the intense heat, needing cool-down periods, but the operation was successful, significantly extending our range and providing redundancy. Carrying adequate fuel reserves, carefully calculated during passage planning, is crucial.

Raymarine Teething Issues

The fun continued into the night watch. The sophisticated navigation system started experiencing glitches – a bright control panel overlay repeatedly popping up, obscuring the radar, followed by the whole unit crashing and rebooting. This cycle persisted all night. While frustrating for the watchkeeper, encountering intermittent software or hardware issues on brand-new integrated electronic systems is not unusual during initial voyages. Documenting the exact behaviour is key for diagnosis later.


It also strongly reinforces the importance of having independent backup navigation methods, which Yacht Delivery Solutions always ensures are onboard and operational such as Boating HD on a phone or tablet.

Despite the hurdles, we continue making steady, albeit slower, progress towards KK.




Signed, The Yacht Delivery Solutions Team

Yacht Delivery Solutions provides professional sail and power boat delivery services throughout


Asia and the South Pacific. Learn more: 

https://yachtdeliverysolutions.co.nz/

Location: South China Sea

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