Sitting in the cockpit this morning savouring my morning coffee I saw a going passed us with the anchor chain out and no-one in. I called down to David ''We've got a dragger!'' and when he came up it was behind us and nudging up to a yellow channel marker. There were plenty of people on their boats who would have seen it going. We were the only ones to launch our dinghy and head off to rescue it.
By the time David was climbing on it, or to give the full details Kathryn de Fuego a UK flagged Halberg Rassy 43, was drifting across the ferry channel with ferries approaching from both sides. Fortunately the owner, who I'd seen arrive earlier and then leave with crew in the dinghy, had left the key in the engine and the windlass power on. David was able to start the engine and lift the anchor while I stayed alongside in the dinghy while looking for a large clear space to re-anchor.
There was a perfect spot, away from Jackster, where David dropped the hook. Once down I also got on board and we let out more chain. Although there were markers on the chain we didn't know what distance they were we could only judge the length by how we were sitting compared to the other boats. We erred on more is better. The hatches and companion way were open so although I don't wish to go onto a strangers boat I needed paper and a pen to leave a note about why this man's boat wasn't where he'd left it.
We went ashore for a couple of hours and when we got back saw that 'Kathryn' was back in her original spot. The owner and his crew came over and Captain Nick graciously brought a bottle of rum as a thank you gift. He was thanking us and we were saying it's just what cruisers do, look out for each other and pay forward a kindness if it was ever needed. Pity the other cruisers in the anchorage didn't feel the same.
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