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A quiet crossing
This story begins with a photo. That of a beautiful Coryphene bream. And Michel tells us the story. " I'm not a great fisherman, but a 2.5-kilo dorado suits me just fine. Although I'm sure it was a suicidal dorado to come and bite my hook! "
It was aboard Babaorum, an Océanis 43, en route to Marie-Galante from Las Palma that Michel made this fine catch. He had left a few days earlier to cross the Atlantic with two friends. André, a long-standing friend, had bought a boat from Michel 30 years earlier (an RC 20), and Régis had never sailed before, but was keen for an adventure.
Seasickness and broken ribs
Michel tells us: " That year, the trade winds were very southerly. I had to sail well down towards the equator. It was only at the very end of the trip that I finally found them. After 2 or 3 days of sailing, I realize that the atmosphere on board is more like a vacation camp. I steer and manage the boat, while my two other passengers deal as best they can with their seasickness. Régis, who seems to be the most affected, is constantly settling into the companionway, keeping his head cool and his body warm. "
Michel knows that seasickness often disappears of its own accord once the body is moored. So he makes sure his passengers are comfortable, while trying to keep control of the boat. " I ask Régis several times not to stay on the descent. He's in danger of falling and he's also blocking the way to the card table. "But Régis remains deaf to this common-sense advice.
It took a wave and a gust of wind to cause the accident. Poorly moored, Régis fell from the companionway and collided violently with the saloon table. Violent chest pain. Michel unhooks the iridium he had taken at André's request, who wanted to check his e-mails on board I call my brother-in-law, who is a general practitioner. I explain the situation, my passenger's symptoms... Remote diagnosis: one or two broken ribs. No major medical risk, paracetamol will do the trick. "
Adapting the injured person's rhythm
" In a transatlantic race, the winds always carry you westwards. The time it would take to return to the starting point would be just as long and much more uncomfortable than continuing towards the finish. "The injured man will have to be patient.
" This search for the trade winds creates sea conditions not necessarily suited to carrying a passenger in pain. I have to spend all my time avoiding bumps, reducing sail and speed so as not to hear my crew member complain about his pain ." After a few days, Régis thinks he's in a better position to take part in onboard tasks. He applies for a watch: " In the middle of the night, I can feel the boat behaving strangely. I go to see what's going on. I find my friend totally prostrate, frozen and unable to do anything. I have to finish his watch by his side ."
Michel had to reduce the sails on his boat to move forward smoothly. " Scissor sails, I know I'm damaging them a bit, but it's better not to make Régis suffer too much. "
Avoidable situation?
When asked if he could have detected things beforehand, Michel explains: " No, not really, it's only when we get out on the water that we'll discover the real skills of each crew member. In reality, we were just two crew members and a passenger, not three sailors. The third friend, Régis, wanted to experience an adventure, and I could offer him that. And, basically, I'd rather sail with people who have little experience than with people who are constantly showing off their knowledge. "
Arriving in Marie-Galante, Régis's wife was waiting on the quay to accompany him to hospital. " Confirmation of two cracked ribs. I sensed that the adventure had gone on too long for him, and he disembarked as soon as possible, not even enjoying the last evening on board. Pain, stress, fatigue... All these factors need to be known before embarking, because they will inevitably appear at some point during the navigation. And they will be amplified by the slightest anxiety-provoking event. Like broken ribs, for example. Strictly speaking, there's no training for crew or passengers: you discover people at sea. "
An extra week for the crossing
The crossing took 19 days, compared with the usual dozen. Michel deliberately reduced the pace. This was also due to the presence of the trade winds at only 6° N latitude in January 2019, forcing him to take a very southerly route.
Accepting progress for the sake of safety
Michel's conclusion: " I've been sailing since I was a kid, and I've always known that no two crossings are ever the same. No matter how well you prepare, anything can happen. Basically, I'm not a fan of connected equipment on board, Iridium-style, but I have to thank André for insisting on taking one; it came in very handy for this teleconsultation with my brother-in-law. Knowing how to question ourselves and our expectations and principles can help! "
The continuation of Babaorum's adventures: the return journey, originally scheduled for March 2020, has been postponed until June after the confinement. The return crossing will be made with a 73-year-old friend, who sees it as his last voyage. On July 22, Michel and his friend arrive in Brest, safe and sound!
