17.12.2008
Cheminées Poujoulat aboard the Marion Dufresne
Cheminées Poujoulat has been successfully loaded aboard the Marion Dufresne
supply vessel. Bernard Stamm is aboard and though he is exhausted he is
naturally relieved. The Marion Dufresne has now cast off and will continue
its supply mission before it gets to its ultimate destination of Reunion
Island.
Translated by Kate Jennings – Expression
16 December 2008
Departure from the Kerguelen Islands scheduled tomorrow
Whilst the chaotic Indian Ocean continues to wreak havoc on the Vendée Globe
fleet, the race against the clock for the two Swiss sailors continues. It is
imperative that Bernard Stamm loads his monohull, wounded after running
aground, onto the Marion Dufresne which is set to leave tomorrow.
Meantime, on the advice of Sylvain Mondon from Météo France, Dominique will have to
have left the base in the Port aux Français, where Temenos II has been tied
up for the past three days, prior to the arrival of further violent winds
forecast to hit within the next 36 hours. The bad weather conditions on site
are hampering the smooth running of operations.
Since the arrival of Temenos
II, all the TAAF team have been working around the clock and a system to
stabilise the keel has been found. Work was due to continue aboard from 0200
hours local time. The skipper hopes to be able to leave Kerguelen during the
course of the day, once the system has been put in place and validated. He
should then make for Fremantle in Australia following a 2,800 mile delivery
trip.
The journey will require the utmost vigilance at all times due to the
monohull’s damaged keel.
Translated by Kate Jennings – Expression
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