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(Page 7).

28.04.2001
At sea in FOG!
38.54.977N 24.16.766 East
12.20hrs
Temp 17.1C
Baro 1017
Wind Variable 2

We left Skiros at 08.45 after the ferry had gone, destination possibly Patitiri, Nisos Alonnisos. We went through the small channel opposite Linaria called Dhiavlos Valaxou and as we did so ran into two things! One was an extensive bank of fog, which had been hidden from our view by the island of Valaxa and secondly a light fishing net strung across our route. The latter was unmarked and we realised something was wrong when both engines changed tune and the starboard one stopped. However the port engine then picked up and carried on normally. Not realising the starboard prop. was jammed I started and engaged the engine several times thinking we had had a minor fuel problem. I stopped the boat and went underneath in the dingy and saw the plastic bags, fish lines and bits of net on the starboard prop. These were easily cleared but the engine refused to run for more than several seconds. Using our dingy under the centre section of the boat I changed the plugs and adjusted the fuel mix but no luck. Finally we raised it and carried on in the fog with one engine at 5 knts. I will have to do a thorough check out once we arrive at our destination.

Later on we watched on radar as two boats nearly collided, at a combined speed of 12 knts, in the dense fog. I estimate they passed about 30 meters apart! Neither was on VHF watch so there was nothing we could do. They were very lucky.