ORCV Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V)

Mirrabooka's Retirement.

2010 M2V Rcae Director, Bob Tanner spoke with Lyn Bingham, wife of Skipper, David Bingham, after she had taken a call from David, just as they arrived into Noumea. The issue revolves around a broken chainplate support. The chainplates are the stainless steel plates that take the load from the rig above deck, into the ringframes or ribs of the boat below deck and subsequently into the keelbox, so that all the forces are squared off against each other and not into just the boat's structure alone. They aim to it all repaired ASAP, so they can get on to Port Vila and collect their cruising gear. As mentioned yesterday (Wednesday), after the 1630sked when the issue was revealed, all the crew are fine and the rest of the boat is AOK. We feel desperately sorry for them, as to be so close and then to suffer this, must be shattering.

Mirrabooka along Cheviot Beach on July 4, 2010. Pic © Teri Dodds.

More soon...

Please remember, that if you want to find out where everyone is in the chase for the container of humanitarian aid that APC Logistics sent to Vanuatu for us, then please go HERE. Sked times are 4.30am and pm EST.

By John Curnow and Simon Dryden